Siwa Oasis Camel Ride & Sandboarding: Sunset or Sunrise

Ride camels into the desert, then sandboard back down the dunes.

A 3-hour activity in Siwa Oasis where you ride camels for 2 hours across the desert at sunset or sunrise, then sandboard down the high dunes while wearing traditional Bedouin dress. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, along with tea, snacks and fruit. A guide speaks English or Arabic. Not suitable for travelers with spinal injuries or during pregnancy.

The experience

You start with hotel pickup and head out on camel into the Siwa Desert. The ride lasts 2 hours and moves at a pace that lets you take in the landscape: rolling hills that stretch to the horizon, the quiet of the desert, and the light changing as the sun either rises or sets depending on which departure you choose. A tea and snack break happens partway through, with fruit and refreshments to refuel.

Once you reach the high dunes, you switch to sandboarding. You'll wear traditional Nomadic Bedouin dress for the descent, and the dunes give you a panoramic view of Siwa, Dakrour mountain, and the Great Sand Sea before you slide down. The adrenaline of sandboarding is the payoff after the calm of the camel ride: two very different ways of moving through the same landscape in a single outing.

The whole outing runs 3 hours from start to finish. Your guide speaks English or Arabic, and all fees and taxes are covered in the price. Hotel drop-off happens at the end.

What’s included

• 2-hour camel ride through Siwa Desert.
• sandboard and descent down high dunes.
• traditional Nomadic Bedouin dress for the sandboarding section.
• tea, snacks and fresh fruit during a break.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.
• English or Arabic-speaking guide.
• all fees and taxes.

Options for this experience

3 options

Camel Ride,Sandbording SunriseGuide in English or Arabic · 04:00Sunrise tour; includes pickup

Camel ride and sandboarding at sunset in the Siwa OasisGuide in English or Arabic · 15:00Sunset tour; pickup is included

4x4 desert safari with camelsGuide in English or Arabic · 15:00Extra 4x4 safari: a full day of driving through Siwa's desert, offering a unique experience with the locals, followed by a camel ride at sunset and snacks; includes pickup

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 04:00 and 15:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (10 to 90 years) · Under 10: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Arabic

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Siwa Camel Camp

Is this one for you?Choose the sunset departure if you want to ride as the light changes and the sky fills with color, or the sunrise option if you prefer an early start and the quiet of dawn. The camel ride is steady-paced and manageable for most fitness levels, though the sandboarding adds an adrenaline element at the end. It's the combination of both that makes this different from a camel ride alone.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Arabic.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I choose between a sunset or sunrise departure?

Yes. The Sunset option leaves in the late afternoon so you ride as the sun dips below the horizon. The Sunrise option departs early so you're on camel as the sun comes up. Both follow the same route and include sandboarding on the return.

What is the camel ride actually like for someone who has never ridden before?

The ride lasts 2 hours at a walking pace across quiet desert terrain. You sit atop the camel, which moves steadily. The operator describes it as a relaxing way to cover ground and take in the landscape. A break partway through gives you time to rest and have tea and snacks.

What happens during the sandboarding part?

After the camel ride, you reach the high dunes of Siwa and sandboard down them. You wear traditional Nomadic Bedouin dress during this part, and the dunes offer views of Dakrour mountain and the Great Sand Sea before you descend.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included in the price, and your guide will meet you at your accommodation to start the outing.

What should I know before booking if I have a back or spine condition?

This activity is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries because of the camel ride and the sandboarding descent. If you have concerns about your back or spine, check with the operator before booking.