Away from the bright strip of Hurghada, the Eastern Desert has some of the darkest skies you can reach on a short drive from a beach resort, and this evening is built around that. A jeep carries you into the desert as the light fades, you stop for the sunset over the hills, and after dark you sit down to a Bedouin-style meal before lying back to look at the stars. Guides usually point out the constellations, and some trips add a telescope, so even people who know nothing about astronomy come away with something to remember. It is gentler than a quad or buggy safari, with no helmets, no dust clouds and no need to drive anything yourself, which makes it a favourite with couples, older travellers and families with children who are too young for engines. The pace is slow on purpose, and that is the point.
What the evening looks like
Pickup is in the afternoon, usually timed so that you reach the desert before sunset. The jeep convoy drives across tracks and open ground, and you stop to take photographs when the sky turns orange. At the camp, you may be offered tea, a short camel ride or a look around, then dinner is served, often a barbecue with salads, bread and rice.
After eating, the lights are dimmed and the guide talks about the stars, with time to lie on mats or sit around a fire. You return to the hotel late in the evening.
What to wear and bring
The desert cools quickly after sunset, even in warm months, so bring a jumper or jacket and long trousers, and closed shoes for sandy ground. A scarf helps with dust on the jeep ride. Bring a camera that can cope with low light if you want star photographs, though a phone on a steady surface works for simple shots. Tell the operator in advance about dietary needs, because menus are usually fixed.
Choosing the right trip
There are many stargazing and jeep-safari evenings sold from Hurghada, and they differ in group size, in whether a telescope is used, in how long you spend at the camp and in how rough the ride is. Smaller groups make for a quieter sky, and the cooler months from October to April give the clearest views and the most comfortable evenings.
The bright moon can wash out the stars, so check the lunar phase if astronomy is your main reason for going. Pair this evening with a morning at the reef so the day mixes sea and desert, and keep the next morning free so that you can sleep in.
Practical notes
The quality of the night depends on the weather and the moon, so be flexible and have a backup plan if cloud rolls in. Photographers should bring a small tripod or a phone stand, and everybody should avoid shining torches at the sky once the group is settled, as bright light ruins night vision for everyone.
Keep your phone on low brightness, stay close to the camp and the guides after dark and listen to the safety instructions about walking away from the group. A camp fire, blankets and warm drinks are common in the cooler months, which make the evening cosy even when the air is cold.
What to expect
The experience
An afternoon pickup, a jeep ride into the desert for sunset, a Bedouin-style dinner and a stargazing session with a guide.
Best time
Clear evenings from October to April, and close to the new moon for the darkest sky.
How long
About five to six hours from pickup to drop-off.
Tips
Bring a warm layer and closed shoes, check whether a telescope is included and tell the operator about dietary needs in advance.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Couples and families who want a quiet desert evening instead of an engine-heavy safari.
- Families
- Good for children of most ages because nobody has to drive, though a late return can be tiring for the youngest.
- Couples
- One of the most romantic evenings on the coast, with a sunset, dinner and a sky full of stars.
- Pair with
- A reef day such as Giftun and Orange Bay or the semi-submarine, so you see both sea and desert.
- Time needed
- One evening.
Good questions
Do I need any experience to join the stargazing safari?+
No. You ride as a passenger in a jeep and sit or lie at the camp, so the evening needs no skill or fitness.
Is it cold in the desert at night?+
It can be, particularly from November to March. Bring a jumper or jacket, long trousers and closed shoes.
Is dinner included?+
Bedouin-style dinners are normally part of this kind of trip, but check the inclusions and tell the operator about any dietary needs.
Can I see the Milky Way?+
On clear nights away from the moon the sky is very dark and often shows far more stars than at the coast, but the weather and the moon phase decide what you see.
Is it suitable for young children?+
Yes, in most cases, because there is no driving and the pace is relaxed. The late return is the main thing to plan for.
