Al Sorat Farm
Al Sorat Farm
5
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Full view

About
Al Sorat is a family owned-farm breeding goats and offering picnics, riding lessons, trail riding and play with animals of all types. Our horses and dogs are rescues who are carefully trained for safety. Riding helmets are required and provided. Visits are by appointment only and programs are individually prepared. See the real Egypt with us.
Abu Sir, Egypt
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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5.0
31 reviews
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Waseem T
Cairo, Egypt294 contributions
Feb 2023
If you're looking for an authentic Egyptian countryside experience, combined with responsible care for animals, Al Sorat (or Maryanne's Farm as it is mostly known as) is the perfect place to go to. Our kids practically grew up here, visiting every Friday to spend time feeding all the animals; Maryanne has goats, sheep, cows, horses, donkey's, mules and even water buffalo (yes I know!), as well as ducks, chickens, geese, turkey's, and loads of dogs! We also spend time riding any one of their wonderfully friendly horses who as we understand are mostly work horses who hace come to Al Sorat to retire.
We normally bring our own food for the kids and picnic in the shade under a tree, but you can also ask Maryanne to prep you some delicious Egyptian farmhouse food which she and her friendly staff cook themselves and tastes great! We can't think of a better place for a family to spend an afternoon discovering more about real farm life and nature. I guarantee your little ones will have a real blast, without screen time, and modern distractions.
We normally bring our own food for the kids and picnic in the shade under a tree, but you can also ask Maryanne to prep you some delicious Egyptian farmhouse food which she and her friendly staff cook themselves and tastes great! We can't think of a better place for a family to spend an afternoon discovering more about real farm life and nature. I guarantee your little ones will have a real blast, without screen time, and modern distractions.
Written February 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Biddy B
London, England, United Kingdom9 contributions
Oct 2014 • Solo
For the past month I have been putting off writing about my time spent at Al Sorat Farm, because such a review will only reveal how woefully inferior my summary will be to the experience it is trying to shoehorn into a tin can. Egypt is thoroughly enchanting, despite all its juxtapositions and present political instability. Out in the Sahara and in the village of Abu Sir you are a world away from that which puts Egypt in the news, giving you space and freedom for the kind of reflection and clear thought only possible in places like this.
I suppose a few words ought to be given to confirming that the horses are in excellent condition and the farm is very well run. Whether you are going on a morning's ride or staying for a longer period, arrangements will be superbly organised enabling you to make the most of your time off. As well as the amazing horses, there is also a host of friendly dogs to greet you, and donkeys, goats, chickens (even a parrot!) to meet and greet. Nothing is too much trouble for Maryanne's help at the farm - a knowledgable team who are guaranteed to go out of their way to make your visit unforgettable. It is a phenomenally friendly place to visit: never have I been made to feel more welcome - and this from every acquaintance, whether out in the farms or in downtown Cairo's tourist hotspots. You can hardly help but feel swept up by the vibrancy of it all!
Maryanne, the immensely knowledgable owner of Al Sorat Farm, told me that there are in fact nine Egypts, and each of them are utterly ignorant of one another's existence. From Abu Sir, you are certainly able to reach out to any one of them on horseback. If you are interested in ancient civilisations, you have the Serapeum and step pyramid on your doorstep, the bent pyramid and red pyramid on your garden path and the Giza pyramids at the top of the driveway. If you are interested in the natural world, date palms and the lake beds of Dashur lie on your right hand side and the everlasting dunes of the sahara wait on your left. If you enjoy invigorating rides discussing current affairs and politics, the effect of 2011 on Cairo life and rural living, then you could not be in better hands than Maryanne's. If you are interested in riding proud, fast, beautiful horses and running feral in the desert, there is no place better to be. If you are interested enough in all that Upper Egypt has to offer to read this far, then you really ought to satisfy your curiosity and go! A visit to Al Sorat farm is exactly the kind of trip that truly deserves the label 'a once in a lifetime experience,' only I sincerely hope that I shall be fortunate enough to return here in the not too distant future (insha'allah).
I suppose a few words ought to be given to confirming that the horses are in excellent condition and the farm is very well run. Whether you are going on a morning's ride or staying for a longer period, arrangements will be superbly organised enabling you to make the most of your time off. As well as the amazing horses, there is also a host of friendly dogs to greet you, and donkeys, goats, chickens (even a parrot!) to meet and greet. Nothing is too much trouble for Maryanne's help at the farm - a knowledgable team who are guaranteed to go out of their way to make your visit unforgettable. It is a phenomenally friendly place to visit: never have I been made to feel more welcome - and this from every acquaintance, whether out in the farms or in downtown Cairo's tourist hotspots. You can hardly help but feel swept up by the vibrancy of it all!
Maryanne, the immensely knowledgable owner of Al Sorat Farm, told me that there are in fact nine Egypts, and each of them are utterly ignorant of one another's existence. From Abu Sir, you are certainly able to reach out to any one of them on horseback. If you are interested in ancient civilisations, you have the Serapeum and step pyramid on your doorstep, the bent pyramid and red pyramid on your garden path and the Giza pyramids at the top of the driveway. If you are interested in the natural world, date palms and the lake beds of Dashur lie on your right hand side and the everlasting dunes of the sahara wait on your left. If you enjoy invigorating rides discussing current affairs and politics, the effect of 2011 on Cairo life and rural living, then you could not be in better hands than Maryanne's. If you are interested in riding proud, fast, beautiful horses and running feral in the desert, there is no place better to be. If you are interested enough in all that Upper Egypt has to offer to read this far, then you really ought to satisfy your curiosity and go! A visit to Al Sorat farm is exactly the kind of trip that truly deserves the label 'a once in a lifetime experience,' only I sincerely hope that I shall be fortunate enough to return here in the not too distant future (insha'allah).
Written December 1, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
li1wing
western Mass10 contributions
Feb 2012 • Friends
When I tell people how much I loved my time in Egypt, and how much I'm looking forward to returning, they say "Egypt?! Is that safe?" And yes, I say, it certainly is! Cairo is a fascinating city, and Al Sorat Farm, just outside of Cairo, is a beautiful setting in the midst of agricultural fields and villages. The horses at the farm are fit and cared for, and range from beginner quiet to spunky for the more experienced riders. Rides in the desert are exhilarating...there are many more pyramids than the ones you always see in the pictures!...and wandering through the villages, you see life as it really is in Egypt...much of it unchanged in centuries: donkey carts and water buffalo; women grinding grain by hand. The staff that ride out with you are capable and friendly; the owner, Maryanne, has a veritable museum's worth of information to share, and points out things others might not consider noteworthy: the history of the shards in the sand underfoot, or the birds perched on the pigeon copes near the canals. I'll be returning as soon as I am able, and I highly recommend Al Sorat Farm to anyone interested in experiencing Egypt as more than the Giza pyramids and tourist locations.
Written December 18, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RoseShalydeen
8 contributions
Mar 2017 • Solo
I had a lovely day at Al Sorat farm during my visit to Egypt. After a stressful time with another touring group, Al Sorat was a much-welcomed respite at the end of my trip. I arrived just in time to join an group on their trail ride, where we galloped through the desert and passed some of the lesser-known pyramids. The rest of the afternoon I spent relaxing in the hammock and visiting with the many animals--goats, horses, sheep, donkeys, dogs, water buffalo, and birds. Maryanne is so welcoming and knowledgeable about Egypt, and her staff are friendly and competent. I am very thankful for the peaceful and refreshing time I spent at Al Sorat farm!
Written April 17, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brian E
3 contributions
Nov 2013 • Friends
This is a wonderful farm for relaxing and eating a hearty delicious meal after a long overseas flight. Then a ride through the countryside or the desert to see the pyramids on wonderful horses that are very well cared for, happy, and well trained (unlike the horses around Giza - if you want to see Giza on horseback then ride from here).
Written October 14, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mari K
Cairo, Egypt5 contributions
Sep 2014 • Business
Maryanne provided the students with a wonderful day. She began with a tour of the farm, introducing the students to all aspects of rural farm life in Egypt. She has an in-depth knowledge of biology and was able to explain first hand how selective breeding works and the importance of proper animal care and treatment. The students were treated to a home-cooked meal of traditional Egyptian foods prepared with local fresh produce. The students were then taken on a horseback ride through the local farms and were able to experience the feel of rural life. It was a very memorable experience for the all! Thanks Maryanne!
Written October 11, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
esterk319
The Hague, The Netherlands1 contribution
Mar 2013 • Friends
Revisiting Cairo after more than 10 years I expected the lovely, yet very crowded, atmosphere of an ancient city. I love the culture, architecture, restaurants and adore the little bookshops in the citycentre but I also like to experience everyday live.
Being an experienced rider, the friends we visited who live in Cairo suggested a ride at Maryanne's farm where we could ride in the dessert with a view of the pyramids.To be quite honest, I expected the usual touristic experience and dreaded the conditions of the horses.
How happy I was to be so mistaken! At first glance it was clear that this was a farm where all sorts of animals (dogs, goats, horses) were in excellent condition! Same goes for the gear. The moment we met Maryanne I knew for certain this trip was going to make an impact. When we went out she asked one of her staff for " the key to the dessert". It sounded like something out of a movie but there are actually gates to the dessert (filled up with colourfull bougainville!). The view on horseback in the dessert of Cairo from a dune will stay with me forever.
The horses were trained beautifully. A heavy truck, flocks of sheep or honking TukTuks, nothing would panic them. On the other hand, on a slight command they will easily go into trot or canter (we didn't do galop but it's on the menu as long as everyone the group is ok with it.)
Maryanne herself is not only the guide but also a fountain of wisdom on everything Egyptian. I learned more in the horseriding trips (yes multiple, because we decided to go again the next morning) on how Egypt really works, then I could read from the newspapers.
I thoroughly recommend this and leave you with this encourigment: Yalla!
Ester
Being an experienced rider, the friends we visited who live in Cairo suggested a ride at Maryanne's farm where we could ride in the dessert with a view of the pyramids.To be quite honest, I expected the usual touristic experience and dreaded the conditions of the horses.
How happy I was to be so mistaken! At first glance it was clear that this was a farm where all sorts of animals (dogs, goats, horses) were in excellent condition! Same goes for the gear. The moment we met Maryanne I knew for certain this trip was going to make an impact. When we went out she asked one of her staff for " the key to the dessert". It sounded like something out of a movie but there are actually gates to the dessert (filled up with colourfull bougainville!). The view on horseback in the dessert of Cairo from a dune will stay with me forever.
The horses were trained beautifully. A heavy truck, flocks of sheep or honking TukTuks, nothing would panic them. On the other hand, on a slight command they will easily go into trot or canter (we didn't do galop but it's on the menu as long as everyone the group is ok with it.)
Maryanne herself is not only the guide but also a fountain of wisdom on everything Egyptian. I learned more in the horseriding trips (yes multiple, because we decided to go again the next morning) on how Egypt really works, then I could read from the newspapers.
I thoroughly recommend this and leave you with this encourigment: Yalla!
Ester
Written April 1, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adam M
Cairo, Al Qahirah, Egypt4 contributions
Jan 2013 • Friends
I am currently a regular at Al Sorat. I'd almost given up riding in Egypt as a result of the miserable state of the horses at most stables, and the treatment these horses receive. And then I discovered Maryanne and her Dr. Doolittle way with her horses, dogs, goats, buffalo etc! I highly recommend making the time to do both the countryside and desert treks. The horses are happy, love working, and are voice-controlled! I can't recommend Al Sorat and the unique experience that it provides, enough! Definitely a fantastic day out of Cairo!!
Written January 21, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rachel
St Austell, UK10 contributions
Nov 2012 • Solo
I enjoyed an excellent week of riding with Maryanne with a full itinerary riding out from Al Sorat Farm into the surrounding countryside and desert for 2 to 6 hours a day. All of Maryanne's animals are in excellent condition and well cared for, helmets are provided for riding and all equipment is well fitted and safe.
The horse that I was given for the week was perfect for my level of riding and confidence. She was a beautiful obedient well schooled mare that did everything that was asked of her at all times keeping steady on the gallops until I was ready to go. Riding out in the countryside was safe with plenty of tracks to trot and canter although for me the desert riding with pyramids in all directions was the highlight, it really was like riding through a film set with the most amazing panoramic views that my small camera just couldn't do justice. The area of the desert where Maryanne rides is peaceful and majestic; Maryanne also knows where all the safe places for a gallop, mainly up hill where all the horses stop so you can enjoy the view!
As I was staying for a week I had the pleasure of spending a few meal times at the farm with Maryanne, from a BBQ one evening after a late desert ride, lunch after a morning ride and breakfast before our 6 hour ride through the local villages returning through the desert. All of the meals where home cooked and absolutely delicious. On my final evening I enjoyed a pizza and a beer with Maryanne on a Felucca (Nile River Cruise). Maryanne is great company and has so much knowledge of the area and a story to tell for every animal on the farm.
When I wasn't riding Maryanne arranged for me to visit the sites of my choice with an Egyptologist. I chose the Egyptian Museum in down town Cairo and the Giza Plateau that were visited among other sites.
I can not thank Maryanne and everyone at Al Sorat Farm enough for there friendliness, hospitality and professionalism. All of the animals are so happy and healthy and thankfully for me like plenty of attention. I had the most incredible week and I can only say to anyone reading this to visit Al Sorat Farm whilst the opportunity is there.
A final note is to say that even if there had been a protest happening in down town Cairo the only place that I would have not been able to visit would have been the Egyptian Museum. This would not have stopped my wonderful riding as Al Sorat Farm is a long way from down town Cairo in a peaceful countryside location. Please do not let the international press stop your ambitions of visiting a wonderful place with so much history.
The horse that I was given for the week was perfect for my level of riding and confidence. She was a beautiful obedient well schooled mare that did everything that was asked of her at all times keeping steady on the gallops until I was ready to go. Riding out in the countryside was safe with plenty of tracks to trot and canter although for me the desert riding with pyramids in all directions was the highlight, it really was like riding through a film set with the most amazing panoramic views that my small camera just couldn't do justice. The area of the desert where Maryanne rides is peaceful and majestic; Maryanne also knows where all the safe places for a gallop, mainly up hill where all the horses stop so you can enjoy the view!
As I was staying for a week I had the pleasure of spending a few meal times at the farm with Maryanne, from a BBQ one evening after a late desert ride, lunch after a morning ride and breakfast before our 6 hour ride through the local villages returning through the desert. All of the meals where home cooked and absolutely delicious. On my final evening I enjoyed a pizza and a beer with Maryanne on a Felucca (Nile River Cruise). Maryanne is great company and has so much knowledge of the area and a story to tell for every animal on the farm.
When I wasn't riding Maryanne arranged for me to visit the sites of my choice with an Egyptologist. I chose the Egyptian Museum in down town Cairo and the Giza Plateau that were visited among other sites.
I can not thank Maryanne and everyone at Al Sorat Farm enough for there friendliness, hospitality and professionalism. All of the animals are so happy and healthy and thankfully for me like plenty of attention. I had the most incredible week and I can only say to anyone reading this to visit Al Sorat Farm whilst the opportunity is there.
A final note is to say that even if there had been a protest happening in down town Cairo the only place that I would have not been able to visit would have been the Egyptian Museum. This would not have stopped my wonderful riding as Al Sorat Farm is a long way from down town Cairo in a peaceful countryside location. Please do not let the international press stop your ambitions of visiting a wonderful place with so much history.
Written December 29, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
qitty1
Kuwait City, Kuwait5 contributions
Jan 2012 • Family
We visited al Sorat Farm several times when we were posted in Egypt and enjoyed every moment. Such a lovely escape from the city, and the children truly loved the chance to wander about the farm and meet the animals. I felt very secure with their safety while taking rising lessons as the horses were incredibly gentle and sweet. All of the staff were very kind, knowledgeable and careful. Al Sorat is in a location to provide a more 'real' tour, on horseback, of every day Egyptian life in the country. I loved the trail ride through the farms and village. I got the title for this review from my daughter, who says she wishes we could just teleport back to visit again and again.
Written December 15, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello,
My wife and mother and I would like to experience a horseback ride to Abu Sir and Abu Ghorab. Can this be arranged and what is the cost? Thank You!
Written September 20, 2019
Are there any entrance fees? And fees for activities?
Written November 13, 2018
We charge LE 50 per person admission for anyone 5 years of age or older. This includes a half hour of horseback riding. If you want us to prepare a lunch for you, please contact us at least a day in advance. There is an additional charge for that.
Written July 24, 2019
It depends where in Cairo you are starting. We are close to the Giza pyramids but the more of Cairo that you have to cross, the longer it takes to get here.
Written July 24, 2019
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