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

At Makadi Bay, this outing pairs a horseback ride by the Red Sea with the option to spend the evening under the desert sky. You can keep it simple with riding, or add stargazing, dinner, and a show as the sun goes down.

I like the gentle horses and the way the guides adjust the ride for beginners, even teaching a little trotting when riders are ready. I also like the flexible format: you get a family-friendly activity without giving up the chance for a fuller Egyptian evening.

The main point to check is which package your price covers. Riding, transport, water, and a horse are listed as included, while dinner, stargazing, and the show are described as optional additions. Helmets may also need to be requested.

Key points at a glance

• Makadi Bay setting: Ride around a Red Sea resort area known for sandy beaches, coral reefs, and marine life.
• Gentle horses: The horses are described as well trained and calm, making the ride suitable for beginners and children.
• Flexible evening plans: Choose horseback riding alone, or add sunset stargazing, dinner, and a cultural show.
• Helpful riding guides: Guides focus on safety but may let confident riders set their own pace, including a short trot.
• Family-friendly format: Children aged 7 and 11 have taken part, though parents should ask about helmets and riding arrangements.
• Simple transport: Pickup is offered in an air-conditioned vehicle, with bottled water supplied.

Why Makadi Bay makes a good riding base

Makadi Bay sits on the Red Sea Riviera, south of Hurghada. It is mainly a resort area, with hotels, spas, sandy beaches, and water activities nearby. That means this is not a remote desert expedition. It is an easy add-on for a beach holiday, with the sea and dry inland terrain both close at hand.

The setting gives the ride some variety. You may see the open water and beach side of Makadi Bay, then turn toward the drier ground beyond the resort zone. The available information does not promise a specific beach gallop, swimming with the horses, or a long wilderness route, so I would book this for a pleasant riding outing rather than a serious equestrian trek.

Makadi Bay is also known for snorkeling and scuba trips around coral reefs, caves, and marine life such as barracuda. Those water activities are not part of this tour, but they help explain the appeal of the location. You get a horseback activity in one of Hurghada’s best-known coastal resort areas, not an isolated stable far from the sea.

Starting with the horse ride

The ride is the core of the outing. Each person receives a horse, and the horses are described as gentle and well trained. That matters if you have never ridden before, or if you are bringing children who need a steady introduction rather than a demanding trail ride.

Guides accompany the group and pay attention to safety. At the same time, the ride is not described as a strict nose-to-tail procession for the entire time. A confident rider may get a little more freedom, while a beginner can stay at a slower pace. One guide even taught beginners to trot a little when they were ready.

That balance is one of the strongest reasons to consider this activity. You do not need advanced riding skills, but experienced riders may still find a small amount of movement and control rather than simply sitting on a horse for a photo.

Still, expectations matter. The advertised duration is about three hours for the overall outing, not necessarily three hours in the saddle. Transport, preparation, riding, and any selected evening activities all fit into that time. If you want a long-distance ride or sustained fast riding, ask how much actual riding time is included before paying.

What the guides do well

The guide team appears to take a practical approach. They watch over the group, help riders feel safe, and give more experienced people room to ride as they wish. That is useful for mixed groups, where one person may be a first-time rider and another may have ridden several times.

The experience also seems adaptable for families. Children aged 7 and 11 have taken part successfully, and the horses were described as calm. Even so, parents should not treat the age examples as a guarantee for every child. Riding ability, confidence, height, and the stable’s rules can all affect the arrangement.

One useful tip is to ask for a riding helmet directly. A helmet was not automatically provided in one family’s case, but the guides supplied one when asked. I would make this request before mounting, especially for children and anyone who has not ridden in a long time.

No guide names are provided, so I cannot point you toward a particular staff member. The important detail is the guide style: safety-minded, friendly, and willing to give a little instruction without turning the outing into a formal lesson.

Choosing between riding and the sunset package

The activity is presented in two broad forms. You can choose horseback riding on its own, or select a fuller evening that adds stargazing, dinner, and a show. Check the exact option at checkout, since the listed price and included items may vary by selection.

The riding-only version makes sense if you already have dinner plans or simply want a short activity away from the hotel pool. It keeps the focus on the horses and the Red Sea setting. For a family with young children, this may also be the easier choice if a late evening could become tiring.

The sunset option gives the outing a clearer rhythm. You ride as the light fades, then turn your attention upward for stargazing. An expert guide explains the night sky, which adds more than a quick look at stars. You get a basic introduction to what you are seeing and why the desert offers a useful setting for it.

The stargazing portion sounds best suited to people who enjoy a calm pause after the ride. It is not described as an observatory visit or a technical astronomy session, so expect guided sky watching rather than specialist equipment or a formal lecture.

Afterward, dinner includes local and international dishes. That mix should work well for a group with different tastes, though the available details do not specify a menu, drinks, or dietary arrangements. If you have food restrictions, ask before booking rather than assuming the buffet or meal can be changed.

The evening ends with a show celebrating Egyptian culture. Again, the details do not state the exact performers or program, so I would see this as a cultural entertainment segment rather than a guaranteed traditional performance of one specific kind.

Dinner and show: useful, but not the main reason to book

The dinner and show add value if you want a ready-made evening rather than another restaurant reservation. For $41.34 per person, the price can be attractive when the selected package includes transport, riding, a meal, and entertainment. It becomes less compelling if that figure applies only to riding and the evening extras cost more.

This is why I would compare the final booking option carefully. The headline name includes stargazing, dinner, and a show, but the description also says you can choose riding only or add the other activities. Confirm these points:

• Is the $41.34 price for riding only or the complete sunset program?
• Are dinner, stargazing, and the show included in the selected option?
• How long is the horse ride itself?
• Is the pickup shared with a large group?
• Are drinks or special meals extra?

The listed maximum is 100 people, which is a large possible group. That does not mean every departure will have 100 riders, but it tells you not to assume a small private outing. A large group could make the ride feel slower and less personal. If a quiet ride is important to you, ask about the expected group size.

Transport and the three-hour schedule

Pickup is offered, and the included vehicle is air conditioned. That is a practical benefit in Hurghada, where a short transfer in a cool vehicle can make the outing much easier, especially after time in the sun.

The listed duration is approximately three hours. A driver was late for one departure, though the full tour time was still provided. I would not schedule a flight, spa appointment, or fixed dinner reservation immediately afterward. The pickup time, transfer distance, group size, and sunset schedule can all affect the return time.

Bottled water is included, but I would still bring sun protection and wear clothes that allow you to move comfortably. The supplied details do not specify a dress code or equipment list, so ask about footwear if you do not have closed shoes suitable for riding.

The mobile ticket makes access simple. Confirmation is provided at booking, and pickup is available, but you should still watch for the exact meeting instructions and local start time.

Who will get the most from this outing?

I see this as a good match for:

• Families wanting an easy horse activity near Hurghada
• Couples looking for a sunset plan with dinner and entertainment
• First-time riders who want a calm introduction
• Solo visitors who prefer an organized outing with transport
• Mixed groups where some people want riding and others prefer an evening program

It may be less suitable if you want a demanding riding route, a private stable visit, or a long ride at speed. It is also not the best pick if your main goal is marine life, since snorkeling and scuba activities around Makadi Bay are separate pursuits.

Children can take part, and the horses are described as gentle, but you should ask about the minimum age, helmet supply, and riding format for your particular booking. The information confirms that most people can participate, but it does not provide detailed accessibility information.

Price, booking timing, and cancellation

At $41.34 per person, this is a moderate-priced Hurghada outing. The value is strongest when you want several elements in one plan: transport, a horse, an evening meal, stargazing, and a show. If you select riding only, compare the price with other local horseback options so you know what portion of the package you are paying for.

The activity is booked, on average, 27 days ahead. That suggests you should not leave it until the last day if you have a fixed holiday schedule, particularly if you want a sunset departure or need several places together.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside 24 hours, changes are not accepted and the payment is not refunded. The activity also depends on good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Should you book the Makadi Bay ride?

I would book it if you want a relaxed, family-friendly horse ride with the option to turn it into a full Egyptian evening. The calm horses, safety-focused guides, and willingness to help beginners make it more approachable than a demanding equestrian tour. The sunset, sky watching, dinner, and show also give you more variety than a short stable ride alone.

I would pause before booking if you need a private group, guaranteed helmets, a long ride, or a clearly defined dinner menu. Confirm the package price and inclusions first. For most visitors staying in Hurghada or Makadi Bay, it is a sensible way to spend three hours, provided you see it as light recreation and cultural entertainment rather than a serious riding expedition.

FAQ

Where does the horseback riding take place?

The ride takes place around Makadi Bay, a resort area on Egypt’s Red Sea Riviera near Hurghada.

How long does the activity last?

The total duration is approximately three hours.

Is pickup included?

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

What is included in the price?

The listed inclusions are an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, and one horse for each person. Check the selected package to confirm if dinner, stargazing, and the show are included.

Can beginners and children participate?

Yes. The activity is described as suitable for all riding levels, and most people can participate. Children aged 7 and 11 have taken part, but you should confirm arrangements for your own children.

Is dinner and a show part of every option?

No. You can choose horseback riding only or select an option that adds stargazing, dinner, and a show.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the activity is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.