Hurghada: Sea & Desert Horseback Riding, Stargazing, Dinner, Show

The best part of this Hurghada outing is the change of scene: you ride a horse around Makadi Bay, then, if you choose the evening package, watch the Red Sea sunset give way to stars, dinner, and an Egyptian show. It is a neat way to fit sea views and desert atmosphere into one short trip.

I like the gentle horses and patient guides, especially for families and first-time riders. I also like the flexible format: you can stick with horseback riding or pay for the version that adds stargazing, food, and entertainment. The main consideration is timing. The full program lasts about three hours, so it gives you a taste of each activity rather than a long, quiet ride or a full astronomy session.

Key points to know before you book

• Makadi Bay riding: Horseback riding takes place around this Red Sea resort area, with sandy beaches and broad coastal views.
• Suitable for new riders: Guides can keep the pace cautious and, for riders with some experience, may teach a short trot.
• Three evening elements: The sunset option combines stargazing, dinner, and a show after the ride.
• Helmets are worth requesting: Helmets were provided when asked, so make this request clearly before setting out.
• Pickup and water included: An air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, and one horse per person are included.
• Good value at $41.34: The price is strongest if you want the riding, meal, and show together rather than riding alone.

Riding beside Makadi Bay

Makadi Bay is a resort town on Egypt’s Red Sea coast, known for hotels, spas, sandy beaches, and water sports. This setting gives the ride a pleasant mix of open sand and sea views, rather than a purely inland horseback outing.

You should expect to spend the riding portion on or around the bay. The description does not promise a specific beach ride, a swim with the horses, or a particular route, so I would book this for the combination of scenery and riding, not for a highly technical equestrian program.

The horses are described as well-trained and gentle. That matters if you are riding for the first time, bringing children, or simply want an easy holiday activity rather than a test of your riding ability. The outing is suitable for beginners and experienced equestrians, with the pace adjusted by the guides.

A family group with children aged seven and eleven found the riding especially successful. That does not guarantee that every child will feel comfortable, but it does suggest the activity can work for younger riders when the adults and guides keep a close eye on safety.

What the riding feels like for beginners

The strongest part of this experience is the human side of the ride. The guides are described as both careful and friendly. They watched rider safety, yet gave more confident participants room to ride in a natural way.

If you have ridden only a few times, you may be shown how to trot briefly. One guide taught beginners to trot a little, while still keeping the outing controlled. That is a useful touch, but you should not book this expecting a long gallop or an advanced lesson. The supplied details support a relaxed ride with some instruction, not a formal riding course.

I would ask for a riding helmet before mounting. Helmets were available when requested, but they were not automatically mentioned as part of the included equipment. That small step is sensible for every rider, especially children and anyone unused to horses.

Wear clothes that allow you to move easily and shoes that stay firmly on your feet. The tour does not list a dress code or special riding gear, so keep your packing simple. Bottled water is included, which is welcome in Hurghada’s heat, though you may still want sun protection for the open coastal setting.

Choosing the sunset, stars, dinner, and show option

The optional evening version gives the outing a clear rhythm. You ride first, watch the sun go down, look at the night sky with a guide, eat dinner, and finish with a show focused on Egyptian culture.

Stargazing is the quietest part of the evening. An expert guide explains the night sky and the objects above you, giving the experience more purpose than simply sitting outside after dark. The appeal is greatest if you want a calm pause after the ride and enjoy learning a little about astronomy.

The exact format of the astronomy talk is not specified, so keep your expectations realistic. This is an add-on to a short horse excursion, not a dedicated observatory visit. Still, the desert setting and reduced evening light can make this a pleasant contrast with the hotel zone.

Dinner includes local and international dishes. That mixed menu is practical for a group with different tastes, particularly families and couples who do not want to commit to one unfamiliar style of food. The meal is part of the value of the evening package, but the available information does not specify individual dishes, drinks, or special dietary arrangements. If you have dietary needs, ask the provider before booking.

The final show celebrates Egyptian cultural traditions. It gives the night a festive finish and adds a local element that a simple sunset ride would not provide. As with the dinner, the exact performers and program are not listed, so think of it as cultural entertainment rather than a specific theater production.

A short tour with several moving parts

At about three hours, this is an easy activity to fit between other Hurghada plans. You do not have to give up a full day at the beach or a longer Red Sea outing.

The trade-off is pace. Riding, sunset viewing, stargazing, dinner, and a show all compete for the same short window. If you want a slow ride with lots of time to practice, choose the riding-only format if available. If you prefer variety and a complete evening, the expanded option makes better sense.

The exact starting time depends on the version you choose, especially for the sunset program. Sunset timing also changes through the year. Check the confirmed start time carefully so you are not expecting daylight riding when the activity is planned around dusk.

Transportation is included in an air-conditioned vehicle, and pickup is offered. One driver arrived late but the tour time was still honored. That is a useful practical point: allow a little patience at the start, but note the planned duration should remain intact.

The maximum group size is listed as 100 people. That is a large possible capacity, even if the horse ride itself is handled in smaller riding groups. Do not assume a private ride or a small boutique outing. If group size matters to you, ask how the riders are divided before paying.

How the $41.34 price holds up

At $41.34 per person, the price looks fair for the riding package, especially because it includes transport, water, and a horse. The value becomes stronger if you choose the version that also includes dinner and the show, since you are combining several evening activities in one booking.

The price is less compelling if you want only a serious riding lesson. This is a sightseeing activity with riding at its center, not a specialist equestrian session. You are paying for convenience and variety as much as saddle time.

I would compare the options based on your evening plans. If you already have dinner arranged and do not care about a cultural show, the riding-only choice may be the cleaner fit. If you want one organized night away from the hotel, the added food, entertainment, and stargazing can make the package worthwhile.

A 4.7 rating from 18 reviews and a 94 percent recommendation rate point to strong satisfaction, while the small number of ratings means I would not treat those figures as a guarantee. The most consistent praise concerns the horseback riding, the well-behaved horses, and guides who balance safety with freedom.

Who will get the most from this experience

I would recommend this tour to families, couples, and solo visitors who want a gentle outdoor activity with an evening program attached. It is particularly suitable if one person in your group rides often and another has little or no experience.

Families should pay attention to the ages and comfort levels of the children. Children aged seven and eleven took part successfully, but every child reacts differently to height, movement, and animals. Ask about helmets and listen carefully to the guides before setting off.

Couples may like the sunset and stargazing angle. The ride adds activity, while the dinner and show give the evening a social finish. Solo visitors can also use the organized pickup and group setting to make the outing easy to manage.

Experienced riders should lower their expectations. The guides may allow a short trot, but this is not presented as a long-distance ride, a fast ride, or an advanced training session. You will get more from it if you value the setting and the shared evening rather than technical riding.

It may be a poor fit if you dislike organized entertainment, large possible groups, or a tightly timed schedule. It is also not the right choice if your main goal is a full day at sea, snorkeling, or reef exploration. Makadi Bay is known for those activities, but this tour centers on horses and the desert evening.

Small details that can improve your outing

Ask for a helmet clearly before the ride begins. Since helmets were supplied when requested, there is no reason to skip one, especially for younger riders.

Tell the guide your riding level at the start. Beginners should say so directly, while experienced riders can explain what they are comfortable doing. The guide’s ability to adjust the pace is one of the outing’s strongest features, so give the guide useful information.

Keep your schedule flexible around pickup. One late pickup did not shorten the tour, but a little waiting at the hotel may still be part of the experience.

Bring a phone or camera if you want sunset pictures, but protect it from dust and keep it secure around the horses. The tour includes bottled water, but no other extras are listed. Budget separately for anything not included, including tips.

Tipping is not included. It is optional, but you may want small cash available if the guides and driver provide good service.

The activity requires good weather. If poor weather cancels it, you are offered another date or a full refund. For a normal cancellation, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the start time to receive a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted and are not refunded.

Should you book the Makadi Bay horse ride?

Book it if you want a short, easy-to-fit Hurghada activity that combines horses with a sunset evening. The gentle animals, flexible riding pace, and helpful guides make it approachable for beginners, while the optional dinner, stargazing, and show give the night more range than a basic trail ride.

Choose the expanded package if you like organized evenings and want dinner and entertainment included. Choose riding only if you prefer more freedom afterward or want to keep the focus on horses.

I would not book it for advanced riding, a private small-group experience, or a full Red Sea adventure. For families, couples, and first-time riders who want a pleasant change from the hotel pool, the $41.34 price offers good value, provided you request a helmet and accept that the three-hour schedule moves at a steady pace.

FAQ

How long does the horseback riding and evening experience last?

The experience lasts about three hours.

Where does the horseback riding take place?

The riding takes place around Makadi Bay, a resort town on the Red Sea Riviera near Hurghada.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered, and an air-conditioned vehicle is included.

Is bottled water included?

Yes. Bottled water is included in the tour.

Does each person receive a horse?

Yes. A horse for each person is included.

Can beginners participate?

Yes. The activity is suitable for beginners as well as experienced riders. The horses are described as gentle and well-trained, and the guides adjust their approach for different riding levels.

What does the sunset option include?

The sunset option includes stargazing with an expert guide, dinner with local and international food, and a show celebrating Egyptian cultural heritage.

What happens if bad weather cancels the activity?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. For your own cancellation, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.