Hurghada Desert: Stargazing Jeep Safari & Bedouin Dinner

Summary

Jeep ride through hurghada desert, camel steps, bedouin bread and planets above

You’ll cross Hurghada’s desert by jeep with a local guide, sip Arabian coffee at an oasis, ride camels at sunset and share a Bedouin dinner under open sky. Later you’ll use a professional telescope for stargazing—Saturn’s rings might surprise you—and hear stories that linger long after you return to your hotel.

What’s the experience like?

"You see that hill? We call it Umm el-Saghir," our guide Khaled said, grinning as we bounced along in the jeep. He pointed out a low rise in the distance — honestly, it didn’t look like much at first. The wind had that dry, peppery smell you only get in the Egyptian desert. I kept brushing sand off my lips. Our group was quiet for a minute, maybe just letting it all sink in (or maybe everyone else was secretly nervous about the camel ride — I know I was).

When we finally stopped at this little oasis, some women handed us tiny glasses of strong Arabian coffee and dates. The coffee was almost smoky, tasted kind of earthy — not what I’m used to back home. Khaled laughed when I tried to say “shukran” properly; he corrected me gently and then told us how his grandmother makes bread over hot stones. We watched her do it right there, her hands moving so fast I couldn’t keep up. There were kids running around, goats somewhere nearby (I could smell them before I saw them). The camels looked unimpressed by our excitement.

I’ll admit I nearly slid off my camel when it stood up — those things are taller than they look! The sun started sinking behind the Red Sea hills while we climbed up Umm el-Saghir together. It wasn’t quiet exactly; you could hear laughter from below and someone’s phone playing music in Arabic. But then the light changed — everything went gold and pink for maybe three minutes. After that we ate dinner outside: grilled chicken, meatballs, this yellow rice with spices I still can’t name. The bread was chewy and warm from the fire.

Later, Khaled set up a big telescope and showed us Saturn’s rings (I actually gasped out loud — didn’t expect to see them so clear). He talked about star groups and old Bedouin stories about the sky; some of them sounded sadder than I thought they’d be. Lying on my back in the sand after all that food, listening to him talk about horoscopes while someone else made tea nearby… yeah, that’s one of those moments you remember longer than you’d think.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Desert Safari and Stargazing Experience

• Start off-roading 17km by Jeep 4x4
• Arrive at desert oasis, welcome with Arabian coffee and dates
• Take camel ride with amazing views
• Visit herbs pharmacy and learn Bedouin bread making
• Enjoy open buffet dinner with grilled chicken and salads
• Climb hill to watch sunset between mountains
• Return to trip spot for star groups explanation
• Watch planets through professional telescope
• Drive back to town and drop at hotels

Top questions

How far is the stargazing safari spot from Hurghada?

The jeep safari covers 17km into the desert from Hurghada before reaching the oasis where activities begin.

Is hotel pickup included for this Hurghada stargazing tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off by 4x4 jeep are included for all guests on this tour.

What food is served during the Bedouin dinner?

Dinner includes grilled chicken, meatballs, three types of salads, Arabian yellow rice, cooked vegetables, seasonal fruits and soft drinks like cola.

Are camel rides part of this Hurghada jeep safari?

Yes, a camel ride is included; optional horse riding is available for an extra charge.

Is there an astronomy guide during stargazing?

A professional astronomy guide explains star groups and planets using a telescope after dinner.

Can children or infants join this tour?

Infants and small children can join; prams or strollers are allowed and specialized infant seats are available if needed.

Is this tour suitable for pregnant travelers or those with spinal injuries?

No, it’s not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal injuries due to bumpy off-roading.

What should I bring on this Hurghada stargazing safari?

You should bring comfortable clothes for desert weather; everything else (food, drinks) is provided as part of your day trip experience.

What’s included

Your evening includes hotel pickup and drop-off by 4x4 jeep from Hurghada plus a guided drive into the desert oasis. You’ll have Arabian coffee or herbal tea on arrival before riding camels at sunset. A Bedouin buffet dinner follows—grilled meats, salads, rice—and then professional telescope stargazing with explanations from your astronomy guide before heading back to town.