Travel from the brown and golden hues blanketing Cairo to the expansive Sahara Desert, where ancient monuments continue to stand the test of time. Visit the ancient, ever-lasting Pyramids of Giza, admire the Great Sphinx of Giza, and watch the sun emerge or dip below the man-made wonders while you sit atop a camel.

Camel riding in Cairo will take you back to a time when Pharaohs dominated, and the pyramids served a different purpose.

Here's everything you need to know about camel riding, one of the most exciting outdoor activities in Cairo.

What will you see and do when you go camel riding in Cairo?

Camel riding in Cairo will take you back thousands and thousands of years. On your tour, you will witness one of the most mysterious, man-made wonders of our time: the Pyramids of Giza. Steeped in history, these pyramids encompass a plethora of unique tales. On some tours, guides will unravel details about these 4,500 to 4,600-year-old pyramids.

What else can you see? Get a chance to marvel at the Great Sphinx of Giza on your camel-riding adventure. Most tours that offer camel riding in Cairo will show you these historical monuments towering over the Sahara Desert. Some camel riding tours may take you to the tombs of the Pharaohs and other highly regarded people at another location: Saqqara.

What other tours or activities are included together with camel riding in Cairo?

Do you want to add some excitement, some thrill to your camel-riding adventure? On top of a 1-hour camel ride at the foot of the Pyramids of Giza, you can hop on an ATV for an adrenaline-evoking experience!

Are you looking for a more luxurious journey? Some camel riding tours in Cairo include a lavish Nile dinner cruise. Let belly, and tanoura dancers (traditional Egyptian dance) entertain you while you enjoy an open buffet.

Some tours will take you to other locations, too. Marvel at the numerous artefacts and exhibitions within the Egyptian Museum. Visit Pharaoh Khafre’s former home: the Valley Temple.

What types of camel riding tours are available in Cairo ?

You can choose from a vast selection of options. Do you want to watch the sun sink into the sand or rise into the sky? Most tours include either a sunset or sunrise camel riding excursion!

You can also opt to view the towering pyramids by horse if that suits your style more. Interested in doing something more than hopping atop a camel and admiring the wondrous Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx of Giza? Let’s take a look at some other day tour options:

Go on a camel riding and ATVing adventure around the Pyramids of Giza.
Visit the Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx, the Valley Temple, and enjoy a 5-star dinner cruise along the Nile.
Explore the Pyramids of Giza via camel and visit the Egyptian Museum.
Discover plenty of ancient monuments in one day by going on a camel riding tour that stops at both the Pyramids of Giza and Saqqara, where you can discover the first pyramid ever built.

Most camel riding and horse riding sunset excursions around the Pyramids of Giza last for around 2 to 3 hours, whereas other full and half-day tours can last anywhere between 4 to 8 hours.

Are you looking for a 2-day or 3-day safari? You’re in luck! However, most 2 or 3-day safaris do not include accommodation. The 2-day or 3-day tours will take you to a collection of sights within and outside of Cairo! You will get to see the Pyramids of Giza, ride atop a camel along the edge of the Sahara Desert, marvel at the Great Sphinx of Giza, visit the Egyptian Museum, stop by Coptic Cairo, to name a few, over the span over 2 or 3 days. Most of these 2 or 3-day camel riding in Cairo tours include lunch!

What is the typical itinerary of a camel ride in Cairo?

Let’s take a look at the typical itinerary for a basic camel or horse riding tour:

Get picked up from your hotel—you can choose which time of day suits you best (it’s advised to go during sunrise or sunset)
Step out of your vehicle at the designated meeting point and hop on either a camel or a horse
Ride to the Pyramids of Giza atop a camel and marvel at their beauty from your mode of transportation
Hop back into your private transfer and go back to your hotel

Duration: 2 to 3 hours

Some tours may give you 1 hour to ride a camel, while others may allow you to sit atop the majestic animal for 2 hours. It’s important to note that some sunrise tours depart at 3 am!

There is a range of other tours that include ATVing, a lunch stop, and visits to other monumental areas.

How much do camel riding tours in Cairo cost?

The tours vary in price! For example, a 5-hour half-day tour to the Pyramids of Giza cost about $23 (€20) per person. It includes a 25-minute camel ride, stops at numerous must-see locations, bottled water, hotel pick-up and drop-off in an air-conditioned minivan, Egyptologist guide, entrance fees, and more. The price for the same tour can go down to $6.50 (€5.8) per person for a group of 10 people. It’s a pretty good deal, isn’t it?

A typical private sunset or sunrise camel riding excursion that includes a 1 to 2-hour camel ride at the foot of the Pyramids of Giza can cost anywhere between $42 (€38) to $110 (€99) per person. Most of these tours include hotel pick-up and drop-off in a private air-conditioned vehicle, a tour guide, and bottled water.

The camel and ATVing adventure combo can cost around $35 (€31), whereas a camel ride and dinner cruise will have you handing over $55 (€49).

Interested in a 2-day tour? It will cost you around $120 (€108). However, one of the 3-day tours only costs $24(€22)—it only includes a 30-minute camel ride. Remember that most of these 2 or 3-day tours do not include accommodation!

Where is the starting point for camel rides?

Most tours will pick you up from your hotel and take you from Cairo to the Sahara Desert via an air-conditioned vehicle to the designated meeting point. Some tours will have you hop on a camel and meander your way through busy streets before reaching the desert, giving you an authentic experience. While most tours will bring you directly to the Sahara Desert.

How long does a camel ride last?

It depends on which tour you opt to take! Some camel riding excursion will last 25 minutes, while other tours will let you sit atop a camel for 2 hours.

When is the best time to go camel riding?

If you want golden hues to illuminate the towering pyramids and other unique historical monuments, you will want to hop on a camel at either sunrise or sunset. You can visit Egypt at any time of the year, but some may find the summer too hot.

Is a camel ride safe?

Yes! Your tour guide will only allow you to hop on trained camels, so beginners can easily go for a ride!

Travel tips

The humps may cause some discomfort—especially for men
Pregnant women should avoid riding on a camel
Try to wear long, light pants and shirt—the sun can be intense
When you roam around the pyramids, try to imagine the 4,000 workers who slaved over constructing the pyramids with man-made stone for over 2 decades

Camel Riding in Cairo