After spending so much time comparing on trip advisor we decided to choose Sinai safaris. Prior to going we sent a couple of emails asking some general questions and also whether we could have a price list. The emails were responded very quickly, always the same day and they had no hesitation in providing us with a price list to make conparisons. We then scheduled a time to meet when we arrived. After comparing prices with our hotel (which were twice the price!) we went ahead with our meet with Tim and Janet. They were lovely from the offset. We had a good chat before we even started talking about the tours and we could have easily spent much longer with them just chatting away! We organised 2 trips with them; the total experience and the Tiran boat trip. They were more then happy to let us pay part of the money and the rest on the day of our trip. Janet also suggested that whilst we could still get the deal of total experience, we could break up the quad biking from the desert show and stargazing as it can be a long day. This was such a good idea! You get quite dusty from the quad biking and it can be quite exhausting. So they asked us what time we would like to go quad biking and suggested earlier is better as it is much quieter then. We asked to be picked up at 8am and there was no problem with this. It even turned out it was just me and my boyfriend doing it with the guide Aladdin. I'm pretty sure most other companies would have rescheduled it so there was a few people on it at the same time. Just being us, was incredible, especially at that time in the morning, as we ony saw about 2 other people in the desert so it actually felt like a desert! It also meant we could go much faster as we didn't have to follow any other guests. Aladdin was very funny and caring. He happily took pictures and videos throughout, as well as giving us lots of information about the desert and Bedouin lifestyle.
The desert show and stargazing we did 2 days later and it was such a good entertaining experience. The food was tasty and it's buffet style so you can go back for more if you're still hungry. Making the bread with the bedouins was really good and you got to take home your own tasty bread! It was so nice that all the other tour companies had left by then which made it very personal. It was really good being able to do the camel ride there as well as it meant all holiday we were able to say no to other ones where we have heard many horror stories! at least with Sinai we knew we were very safe and wouldnt have to pay to get off! the guide also walked beside us the whole way which made me feel so much safer instead of just the bedouin people leading us off. Driving there at night really showed us how different the quad biking could have been- we were surrounded by them! Stargazing was beautiful and definitely worth doing as you can't see the sheer vast of stars back at your hotel.
Our final trip, the boat trip to Tiran island was incredible and by far our favourite! Get an underwater camera! You are surrounded by fish! The boat was spotless and again the guide was extremely polite and helpful. He gave us so much information and helped everyone with their snorkels and even when people were feeling a bit sea sick gave us things to make us better. We felt so safe with them, which I appreciated the most. Not being a fantastic swimmer I was originally a little worried but this soon disappeared! There was always the ring to grab onto if needs be aswell. Looking at other boats aswell we had less than half the amount of people they did which meant you could always be seen by the guide and you always had a space to sunbathe on the boat!
I would definitely suggest you use this company. The guides were always great and they all wear yellow tops which really helps when they're collecting you, they are always on time (most the time early), speak very good English and most of all we always felt safe. A real credit to the company. The last thing you want on your holiday is worrying you've paid and they won't turn up, or feeling like the guides are being pushy which is very common with other companies.
Finally, thank you Tim, Janet and all the guides for such a wonderful experience. We hope to be back and will not hesitate in recommending you to friends and family. Thank you also for your very caring call on our last trip to ensure everything went well and wishing us a safe flight. To potential customers, I strongly suggest you use this company. You may find one a few pounds cheaper but I can guarantee you won't feel as safe and it won't be as personal. Happy holidaying! Katie and Carl.
