Quad Biking in Egypt: Hurghada, Sharm and Giza Desert Rides

Where can you go quad biking in Egypt?

The main quad biking areas are the Eastern Desert behind Hurghada, the desert valleys inland from Sharm el-Sheikh, and the desert edge on the south side of Giza.

• Hurghada: the biggest market. Convoys head inland from the coast road towards the foothills of the Red Sea Mountains, often stopping at a Bedouin-themed camp for tea, a short camel ride and sometimes dinner and stargazing. Good for families staying in Hurghada, Makadi or El Gouna.
• Sharm el-Sheikh: rides head into the rocky valleys and sand plains behind the resorts, with granite mountains on the horizon; sunset rides are popular, and some combine the ride with a Bedouin dinner.
• Giza: operators near the plateau run shorter rides on the desert fringe with views of the pyramids from a distance. Quads are not allowed inside the archaeological site itself.

Marsa Alam, Dahab and El Gouna also have smaller operators, but the choice and the infrastructure are greatest in Hurghada and Sharm. Wherever you ride, the terrain is mostly hard-packed sand, gravel plains and rocky wadis rather than the tall soft dunes of the Western Desert, so riding is bumpy rather than dune-surfing.

Dune buggies, which have a roll cage and seat belts, are offered in the same places and are a safer option for many people.

What happens on a typical desert quad safari?

You are collected from your hotel, given a short briefing and a helmet, try the controls on a flat patch, then follow a guide in single file along desert tracks for an hour or two of riding, with stops for photos and tea.

Most quads are automatic, with a thumb throttle on the right and brakes on the handlebars, so there is little to learn. You ride on the right, in convoy, keeping a gap of several bike lengths so you can see through the dust. Packages vary: some are pure riding, others combine quad, camel and a visit to a camp with music, a barbecue dinner and a telescope. If what you really want is the evening in the desert, a 4WD safari is a calmer way to get there; see desert camping in Egypt.

Morning trips start around 8–9am to beat the heat; afternoon trips finish around sunset. In summer, morning departures are wiser, as the desert can pass 40°C by early afternoon between June and September; carry at least a litre of water each, and see our heat and sun safety tips.

Is quad biking in Egypt safe?

Quad biking is one of the riskier activities tourists do in Egypt: rollovers, collisions in dusty convoys and falls are the usual causes of injury, and safety standards are not regulated to Australian levels. Smartraveller warns that safety standards for adventure activities may not be what you expect at home; read the current advice at smartraveller.gov.au.

Quads are top-heavy and tip easily when turned sharply at speed or ridden across a slope. Back home, quad bikes are a leading cause of death on Australian farms, so their reputation is earned. Medical help in the desert is far away, and an evacuation from inland Hurghada to a hospital can take time.

That said, most organised rides pass without incident when riders keep to a sensible pace. The risk is largely in your hands:

• Wear the helmet, fastened, and check it fits; reject a cracked one.
• Ride well within your ability, and don't race the person in front.
• Keep off steep dune faces and cross slopes.
• Don't ride after drinking, and don't ride if you are pregnant or have a back injury.
• If the guide is reckless, say so, or turn back with them.

Will your travel insurance cover it?

Not always: many Australian and New Zealand policies exclude quad bikes or only cover them if you hold a motorcycle licence, wear a helmet and are not racing, so read the wording before you ride. Some insurers class quad biking as a motorcycle activity and require a licence valid in Australia, regardless of whether the operator in Egypt asks for one.

Look for the section on motorcycles, mopeds and quad bikes and for any adventure activity add-on. If the answer is unclear, email the insurer and keep the reply. Without cover, a medical evacuation and hospital stay can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Our travel insurance guide covers what to look for, and New Zealanders can check general advice at safetravel.govt.nz.

Can children go quad biking?

Children usually ride as passengers behind a parent on a double quad, or on a small quad in a separate session; minimum ages for driving vary by operator, and many families choose a buggy instead. Australian safety advice is that children should not ride adult-sized quads, and the same logic applies in Egypt.

• For children under about 12, a buggy with seat belts is the better choice.
• Teenagers can often drive their own quad; check the operator's minimum age and match the bike to their size.
• Make sure helmets fit small heads properly.

For more ideas for older kids, see Egypt with teenagers.

Quad, buggy, 4WD or camel: which desert trip should you choose?

Choose a quad for an adrenaline hit, a buggy if you want the thrill with more protection, a 4WD safari to see more of the desert in comfort, and a camel for a slow, traditional ride.

For the deepest desert experience, none of these resort safaris compare with a night in the Western Desert or Sinai, where the landscape rather than the vehicle is the point. Around Hurghada, the Eastern Desert also hides Roman quarry roads and Coptic monasteries, which a 4WD day trip can reach and a quad cannot.

What should you wear, and how do you pick a trip?

Wear long trousers, closed shoes, sunglasses or goggles and a scarf for the dust, and pick a small-group trip with a clear safety briefing over the cheapest big convoy.

• Clothes: long, light trousers and a long-sleeved top protect against sun and scrapes; expect them to come home dusty.
• Dust: a cotton scarf or buff over the mouth and nose; operators sometimes sell them as a souvenir.
• Group size: fewer bikes means less dust and a guide who can watch everyone.
• Equipment: ask whether helmets are full-face or open, and whether the bikes are serviced regularly.
• Environment: off-road vehicles scar desert surfaces that recover slowly, so prefer operators who keep to established tracks.

If your Red Sea stay is part of a longer trip, our Egypt and Red Sea itinerary leaves room for a desert outing between snorkelling days.