Safari Sahara Hurghada — Local services in Red Sea

Don’t do this tourist trap! This was a very disappointing experience. It started with us getting a call an hour earlier than we agreed for our organised private pick up from our hotel. They said we were late and had to rush. We skipped lunch which turned into a bad idea later. We ended up waiting 20 minutes at another random hotel for another group which never even showed up.

We eventually arrived at the safari location. The whole operation here is very unsafe. They are letting parents with no experience drive quads with their children on board without helmets. I saw a woman and child fall and flip their quad over within the first ten minutes.

Some people looked to be having fun, but I found it just too annoyingly bumpy to go fast and the vehicles themselves were not easily controlled or in good shape. I have several years of motorcycle riding experience so I would not count myself as a novice here.

We rode around in circles for 1 hour. Stopping often for the slower people in the group to catch up. Then they drove us off-roading in jeeps with no seatbelts out to the Bedouin camp. This drive scared several of the passengers as the drivers seemed to be trying to give us an exhilarating experience on purpose.

We got to the Bedouin camp and were escorted to a station to ride camels led by the Bedouin people. After getting off the camel they asked for money despite this being included in the experience we paid for already.

We very soon were cold and hungry and wanting to just end this whole experience but they said we had to wait for the entire program to be shuttled back to the safari location.

When we got back it was dark and they had some food which was okay tasting. They put on a dance show which felt just very strange. The music was extremely too loud.

Throughout all of this they had what seemed to be 30% of the staff filming us to try to have us buy the footage later. It was constant and eventually got very annoying.

Don’t do this...

We took a quad tour to a bedouin village. Be careful with the prices! In general, Germans and other Western tourists tend to get scammed — don’t pay €50-70 per person, that’s a rip-off. We’re from Romania and negotiated it down to €25 per person. They told us the tour included food and tea, but the “meal” ended up being just a tiny piece of flatbread made by a “Bedouin woman”, and it wasn’t hygienic at all. I’ve read other reviews and they actually got good meals so maybe we got lied by the guy from the agency. The tea didn’t seem to be served in clean cups either.

The ATV ride itself to the Bedouin village was okayish. They split the groups into fast and slow drivers, which was a good idea. You’ll be required to rent ski-like goggles to protect your eyes from wind and sand — expect to pay €2 or $2.

The guide we had, Rames, was quite charismatic and a fun guy, cracking jokes and keeping the mood light.

The camel ride took literally 2 minutes or less, but the bedouin taking care of the camels takes some really nice pictures for free.

They also have a photographer that will be a bit annoying by making tons of photos every 2 minute and they will ask you for around 17 euros per room to get the photos, which I also consider not worth it.

Also you’ll be sweating a lot, but that’s to be expected, you’re in Egypt, in the desert.

I’m giving it 3 stars, but I think it could deserve less. The experience could be improved for tourists significantly.

Tips: • Bring your own gloves (bike/gym/motorcycle style) — your hands will hurt from gripping the ATV, especially if you’re in the fast group. • Buy your scarf in advance or bring one from home — like most places in Egypt, they’ll try to squeeze as much money from you as possible, even for a scarf that probably costs them less than €1, they’ll ask for +5€. Also the magnets you should be able to get them at least for 1 euro/dollar, I’d recommen you to refuse...

I have tried to address this issue privately, but 10 days after my email I am still waiting for a reply from the company, so I decided to just share this with other readers.

So, my complaint is based on different facts.

The first one is that the power tour did not really feel like power. We paid extra to make sure we will go faster than regular tours, but we were paired with two other guys who booked the Sunset Tour, which is cheaper. Therefore, I do not see a reason to pay extra for a certain tour if we will be downgraded without any explanation. And of course, no refund of the difference or anything.

On top of that, we paid for the goggles rental in advanced for the price of 5€ each, and when we went to your place we found out that the price is only 2€. When I asked why is now cheaper, the guide kinda changed the topic and left. I mean, they can put the prices they want but come on... :/

Moreover , even though we booked a tour in English, our guide did not speak any English at all, which I find dangerous since we are crossing the dessert. On top of that, due to not being able to communicate, visiting the village was basically sitting on a bench for 20min, a tea on a dirty cup, a 3min camel ride, wait 15 min more and then go home.

My quad bike was also on a bad state, brakes weren’t working and the tire was wobbly. Even my friend was scared that the tire would just fly off. No safety instruction were provided whatsoever.

I am not a picky person an at, but I can´t help it and feel robbed by this company.

I hope this message helps other...