Camel Riding in Sharm El Sheikh: Sunset Rides and Tips

After the noise of a quad engine, a camel ride is a different kind of desert experience: slow, quiet and high up, with the Sinai mountains turning orange as the sun goes down. No experience is needed, a handler leads the camel the whole way, and it suits most ages. The easiest way to ride is on the Super Safari, where a sunset camel ride is included. Here are all your options and some tips for your first ride.

Where you can ride a camel from Sharm El Sheikh

We don't sell camel rides on their own; they're part of our desert trips. You have four ways to ride:

• •Super Safari – camel ride included. An evening trip with a quad ride, a camel ride at sunset, an open-air Bedouin dinner and a show. €24 per adult, €11 per child aged 6–12, under-6s free.
• •3-hour quad safari with a camel ride. Add a camel ride to the morning quad safari or the afternoon quad safari for €17 per adult instead of €15, or €10 per child aged 6–12 instead of €7.
• •Super Sand Buggy Safari – camel ride optional. A 1-hour buggy ride, the Echo Temple, dinner and show, with an optional camel ride at sunset that isn't included in the price. Ask us for the cost when you book.
• •Colored Canyon and Dahab. A full day (about 9 hours, €25) with a walk through the canyon, a camel ride along the coast towards Dahab, snorkeling, a quad ride and lunch in Dahab.

Why ride at sunset?

The desert is at its best in the last hour of daylight. The heat has gone out of the sand, the light is soft and golden, and the shadows make the mountains look sharper than at midday. From a camel's back you sit well above the ground, so the view is wide, and without an engine you can actually hear the desert.

On the Super Safari, pickup is timed for this: around 16:30 in winter and 17:30 in summer. You ride a quad through the desert first, swap to a camel for the sunset, then sit down to a barbecue dinner with rice, chicken, kebab and salads, followed by tanoura, belly dancing and a fire show. You're back at your hotel around 21:30. For how it compares with the buggy evening, read Super Safari or Super Sand Buggy Safari?

How to get on and off a camel

The only tricky moments are the start and the end. The camels in Egypt are dromedaries, with one hump, and they kneel down so you can climb on.

1. Swing your leg over the saddle while the camel is kneeling, sit upright and hold the saddle handle in front of you.
2. Lean back as it stands up. A camel rises back legs first, which tips you forwards, then straightens its front legs. Leaning back and holding on keeps you steady.
3. Relax during the ride. Let your body move with the camel's rocking walk rather than stiffening against it. The handler leads the camel by a rope, so you don't need to steer.
4. Lean back again when it kneels. Getting down, the camel bends its front legs first and you tip forwards again. Stay seated and hold on until it's fully down and the handler tells you to get off.

Camels sometimes grumble and groan when they kneel or stand up. That's normal camel behaviour, not a sign that something is wrong.

What to wear and bring

• •Long, loose trousers. Shorts can rub against the saddle.
• •Closed shoes for walking on sand around the camp.
• •A scarf and sunglasses for dust and wind, especially if you're also riding a quad.
• •A warm layer from November to March. The desert cools quickly once the sun has set.
• •A phone strap or a small bag that closes, so nothing falls while you're taking photos.

Our packing list for Sharm El Sheikh covers the rest of your suitcase.

Who can ride?

Most people can enjoy a short camel ride, including older travellers and anyone who prefers not to drive a quad or buggy. Children can ride too; on the quad safaris, the camel ride costs €10 for ages 6–12. If you have back problems, are pregnant or have trouble with balance, ask us before booking, as the moments when the camel stands and kneels involve a jolt. Our guide to Sharm El Sheikh with kids has more ideas for families.

Camels and the Bedouin

Camels have carried Bedouin families and their goods across Sinai for centuries, and they are still part of desert life today. Treat the camels calmly: don't stand right behind them, and ask the handler before you touch or feed one. If anything about an animal's condition worries you, tell your guide. Learn more about the people behind the desert trips in our guide to Bedouin culture in Sinai.

Which camel ride is right for you?

• •You want the classic sunset experience with dinner: the Super Safari.
• •You mainly want to drive and fancy a short camel ride as a bonus: a 3-hour quad safari with the camel option, for €2 more.
• •You'd rather drive a buggy: the Super Sand Buggy Safari, adding the optional camel ride.
• •You want a full day out: the Colored Canyon and Dahab trip.

For timing, safety and what to expect on any desert trip, see our desert safari guide or compare all trips in how to choose your desert safari.

Frequently asked questions

How much is a camel ride in Sharm El Sheikh?

Camel rides come as part of our desert trips. The Super Safari includes a sunset camel ride for €24 per adult (€11 for children aged 6–12). On the 3-hour quad safaris, adding a camel ride brings the price to €17 per adult or €10 per child aged 6–12.

Can I book a camel ride on its own?

No, we don't sell camel rides separately. If you'd rather not ride a quad, the Super Safari is the best choice, as the camel ride, dinner and show are the main part of the evening.

Is camel riding safe for beginners?

Yes. A handler leads the camel on a rope at walking pace, so you don't need to steer. Hold the saddle handle and lean back when the camel stands up and kneels down.

Can children ride camels?

Yes. Children aged 6–12 can add a camel ride to a quad safari for €10 in total, and the Super Safari costs €11 per child aged 6–12, with under-6s free. Tell us your children's ages when you book.