El Quseir Desert Safari by Jeep with BBQ Dinner

At the desert meeting point, you board the Jeep safari Toyota 4x4 WD for the off-road section. The vehicle follows tracks between the Eastern Desert mountains, where the landscape changes from pale gravel plains to darker rock, dry valleys and broad viewpoints. Your guide points out the features of the terrain and explains how local communities have used these routes for generations.

The drive includes stops where you can stretch your legs, take photographs and look across the surrounding valleys. Conditions under the wheels are different from a normal road transfer, so expect a firm ride and hold personal belongings securely. The exact time spent on the tracks depends on the route and conditions on the day, while the driver keeps the journey at a controlled pace.

After the 4x4 drive, you receive an orientation for the quad bike experience. The team explains how to control the vehicle, where to keep a safe distance and how to follow the marked desert route. A short practice section helps you become familiar with the controls before the ride continues into the mountain landscape.

You then ride across the open desert on a quad bike, following the guide rather than setting your own route. The ground may include gravel, sand and gentle rises, so the ride is active but guided. Keep your face covered if dust is moving across the track, and tell the team if you need a pause. Travellers who prefer not to ride can remain with the group at the stopping area while the activity takes place.

The next activity is a Camel ride near the desert settlement. Before mounting, the handlers explain how to approach the camel and how to sit securely as it rises. The ride is taken at a calm walking pace, giving you a different view of the mountain surroundings after the faster quad bike section.

This short experience is about seeing how camels fit into desert travel and Bedouin daily life, rather than covering a long distance. Listen to the guide’s instructions when getting on and off, as the camel changes position quickly. Comfortable trousers and closed shoes are useful, while loose items should stay in a bag or vehicle. The group then continues on foot or by vehicle toward the nearby settlement.

At the Bedouin Village, you see the simple layout of the settlement and hear about traditional desert routines. Your guide discusses water, food preparation, transport and the practical skills needed to live in a dry mountain environment. The visit gives context to the landscape you have crossed by 4x4, quad bike and camel.

There is time to walk around, ask questions and take photographs where permitted. Local demonstrations may show elements of traditional work and household life, with the pace kept relaxed before the evening meal. The village is reached over desert tracks, so surfaces can be uneven and facilities are more basic than those at the coast. Stay with the group when moving between the different areas and follow any local guidance about photography.

Once you are settled in the village, the hosts prepare Bedouin tea for the group. The drink is served as part of the welcome and gives you a quiet opportunity to sit, talk with fellow travellers and ask the guide more about local customs. Tea is usually sweet and may contain herbs, depending on what is prepared on the day.

You also have the chance to try a traditional water pipe in the designated sitting area. Participation is optional, and travellers who do not smoke can simply enjoy the tea and conversation. The guide can explain how the water pipe is used socially, while the hosts manage the equipment. This pause comes before dinner, so it is a useful time to wash your hands, take a short rest and keep warm as the desert temperature begins to fall after sunset.

When the evening meal is ready, the group sits down for a Barbeque dinner prepared at the village. The meal typically includes grilled items with salads, bread, rice or other simple side dishes, though the exact selection depends on the day’s preparation. Tell the team about dietary requirements before the tour so they can explain what can be served.

Dinner is taken at a relaxed pace, with the desert landscape forming the backdrop rather than a formal restaurant setting. Bring a light jacket because temperatures can drop after dark, even after a warm afternoon. Drinks and refreshments are handled according to the local setup and tour arrangements. After the meal, leave space around the cooking area and follow the hosts’ directions as the group moves to the performance area.

After dinner, the evening continues with an Egyptian Show in the village area. The programme can include traditional music, dancing and performances connected with Egyptian and desert culture. The guide introduces the setting and helps the group understand what is happening, while you watch from the arranged seating area.

The show is a social part of the excursion, so there is time to enjoy the music, take photographs when allowed and speak with other travellers. Performances may change in length or content according to the evening’s programme. Keep personal belongings close and use a phone light carefully when walking on uneven ground. When the performance ends, the team gathers everyone, checks that nothing has been left behind and prepares the group for the drive back to the coast.

You leave the village by 4x4 and rejoin the paved road for the return journey to El Quseir. The drive back is quieter after the activities, and the guide remains available for final questions about the desert, Bedouin traditions or the places seen during the day. Keep your seatbelt fastened and store cameras and other items securely while the vehicle is moving.

Our team then completes the transfer to your hotel or agreed drop-off point in El Quseir. The return time varies with the route, the pace of the group and the length of the dinner and show. Check the vehicle before leaving, especially after the evening stop, and make sure you have your phone, camera and any personal medication with you.