Desert Quad Safari

The Desert Quad Safari is a guided quad-biking excursion into the Eastern Desert west of Hurghada, on Egypt's Red Sea coast. Hotel pickups bring participants 15 to 30 minutes inland to the tracks, where a guide leads a convoy across gravel plains and low dunes before a stop at a Bedouin-style village for tea and a short cultural visit. Total time is usually three to five hours, with two to three hours of riding. No previous experience is needed, since operators give a short lesson on the throttle, brake and steering before departure, and the pace is set by the lead guide. Participants should be in reasonable health; drivers usually need to be at least 16 years old, while younger children may ride as passengers on double quads or join in children's quads on a short loop, depending on the operator. Helmets and goggles are supplied, and visitors should bring closed shoes, long trousers, sunglasses and a scarf or shemagh to keep out dust. Out Bound Investment and other Hurghada safari operators run the tours, and visitors should check that quads are well maintained, that guides carry radios and first-aid kits, and that insurance is in place. The safety briefing covers staying in line, spacing between vehicles, hand signals and what to do if a quad stops, and a support vehicle usually accompanies the convoy to assist or evacuate anyone injured. Pregnant women and people with back or heart conditions are typically advised against taking part. The best season runs from October to April, when daytime temperatures are comfortable, while summer tours are often moved to sunset slots to avoid heat that can exceed 40 degrees Celsius. Windy days reduce visibility through blowing sand, and operators may shorten or cancel trips in those conditions. Prices are around EGP 800 to 1,500 per person for a two- to three-hour ride, with extras such as photos or a barbecue dinner charged separately. Dust is unavoidable, so clothes that can get dirty are advisable.