Hurghada tip: a boat tour of the Giftun Islands
April 19, 2022
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During a jeep safari through the desert of Egypt, adrenaline rushes through your body. You tear across dry and vast sandy plains, clouds of dust blow up and in the distance you see imposing mountains that get closer and closer. It's an adventurous day that includes a stop at Bedouin homes. Another highlight is when you get to tear yourself through the desert on a quad bike. Especially during sunset, it is a magical moment in the desert of Egypt!
The Egyptian desert
Did you know that as much as 95% of Egypt is desert? That's an incredible amount, and it should come as no surprise that you can find extraordinary places in the Egyptian desert. For example, in the western desert, to the left of the Nile River, you will find extraordinary white/yellow chalk rock formations. This place is also called the White Desert. Near here you will also find the Black Desert where you will find mountains with black peaks, these are remnants of a volcanic eruption. Both places are still on our bucket list. Our jeep tour took place in the desert near Hurghada, the sunny seaside resort where we stayed at the Sunrise Crystal Bay Resort.
On jeep safari through the desert from Hurghada
From Hurghada you are in the Egyptian desert in no time. The first part of the tour takes you across vast sandy plains and the views are breathtaking. We stopped in the middle of the desert and with the mountains in the background this made for insane photos. Definitely recommend doing this as well. After about an hour of tearing across sandy plains, the terrain becomes increasingly rugged. During a stop at one of the mountains you can climb to the top for a spectacular view. Make no mistake about the altitude and definitely the heat as well. On one side of the mountain it can be extremely windy while on the other side there is not a breath of wind. With a little luck, you may even spot a mirage yourself in the desert.
Stop at a Bedouin camp
Bedouins are nomads who live in the desert. During the jeep tour you will make a mid-day stop at a Bedouin camp. It is impressive to see how nomads can live here, but do not expect an exclusive visit. Several jeeps with tourists make a stop here for a pee break and a small lunch. Nevertheless, it is a fun stop and gives you a unique glimpse into a totally different world.
Quad tour during sunset
You can combine the jeep tour with a quad tour through the desert. For us, the most magical moment of the day was tearing through the desert with the quad during sunset. You see the sunlight slowly change the color of the landscape. And when the sun disappears behind the mountains you feel the heat diminish. How cool it is also to ride in the back while you see the rest of the group in front of you tearing across the sandy plains and raising a huge cloud of dust behind them. It's those beautiful moments that bring out the ultimate happiness in you.
During the quad tour, you get a bandana around your head and in front of your mouth. You can wear your own sunglasses, but over these you will also wear a kind of transparent ski goggle. This is to protect your face from the windblown sand. Of course you will wear a helmet during the tour. You can sit on the quad with two people, but alone is also possible.
Helpful tips for a day in the desert
It can be extremely hot in the desert, so it is very important to drink plenty of water. Also protect yourself from the intense sun rays by applying sunscreen properly or wearing covering clothing such as a thin scarf over your shoulders. White clothes look nice in photos, but after a day in the desert your clothes probably won't be white anymore. Should you also go quad biking, long pants are recommended. It helps against your legs rubbing against the inside and, of course, against sunburn.
Lois Weeterings
A dreamer and adventure seeker, always on the lookout for new experiences. But also a hard worker with a thousand ideas racing through my mind. As a personal travel consultant and travel blogger, I share my passion for faraway destinations, thrilling adventures, and winter sports. With deep knowledge of places like Namibia, Colombia, the ABC Islands, and the Middle East, I’m here to help you craft a trip you’ll never forget. Through my personal stories and expert tips, I aim to inspire you to explore the world your way. Always with my camera in hand, I’m determined to capture every magical moment and share it with you.
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