Emma’s cheat sheet guide to Egypt!
Egypt Travel for Women: Myths, Legends & Pure Jokes
When you tell people you’re heading to Egypt, the reactions are usually the same: “Be safe!”, “What will you wear?”, or a wide-eyed “You’re so brave!”.
Let’s be honest — Egypt has picked up a reputation filled with myths, legends, and a fair share of pure jokes. At Ride Egypt, we’ve been guiding women travellers for over a decade, and here’s the truth: Egypt is wild, wonderful, hilarious, and sometimes utterly unpredictable — and that’s exactly what makes it magical.
The Airport & Cairo Driving: Nintendo in Real Life
Step one: Cairo Airport. The moment you arrive, you’ll probably think, “What the hell have I signed up for?!”. Then comes the drive into the city. Forget rules of the road — driving in Cairo is basically Nintendo in real life. Lanes? Optional. Horns? Constant. Adrenaline? Guaranteed
Guides: Friendly, Professional… and Strictly Hands Off
Our guides are everything you’d hope for: friendly, professional, and protective. But let’s make one thing clear — please don’t flirt with them, or I’ll personally cut their balls off .
Asking for Directions = Asking for Trouble
Lost in Cairo? Resist the urge to ask a passerby. Directions will come with lots of confident pointing, a few contradictory “left–right–straight” gestures, and the occasional shrug. The result? You’ll end up more lost than before. So take it from us: just don’t. NEVER .
Horses Don’t Eat Sand & Egypt Isn’t Just Desert
Here’s a revelation: horses don’t eat sand. They eat proper food, same as everywhere else. And Egypt? It isn’t the endless Sahara you see on TV. Sure, we’ve got dunes — but we’re also farmers. You’ll ride past lush sugar cane, banana groves, mango orchards, and green Nile farmland that looks more like a tropical paradise than a desert cliché.
Cultural Survival 101 for Women:
Always Married.
Doesn’t matter if you’re 16 or 60 — if anyone asks, you’re married. Egyptians love women, but respect skyrockets when you’re “taken.” If they ask his name? It’s always Mohamed. Works every time.
Shopping Alone = Wallet Suicide.
It’s not dangerous for you — but very dangerous for your bank account. Prices have a funny way of doubling in the souks. Wait until you’re with our team, and we’ll take you to respected shops where the name Emma alone keeps the shopkeepers in line .
Time is a Loose Concept.
“Five minutes” might mean half an hour. “Tomorrow” could mean next week. Don’t fight it — Egypt runs on its own rhythm. Lean into it.
Two Words to Learn Before Riding.
- Yalla = Go
- Bass = Stop
Mix them up, and you’ll discover just how fast an Arabian can really move .
Myths, Legends & Guest Voices
We love sharing the voices of our guests because they bust myths better than we ever could:
- “I went as a female solo traveler and … it was truly magical and an amazing experience overall. A true fairytale indeed.” — TripAdvisor
- “Riding horseback throughout the cities really made the experience unique and submerged us in the local community.” — TripAdvisor
- “The horses are amazing, sweet and fast … the rides are amazing and freeing!” — TripAdvisor
These stories show what’s possible when you ditch the myths and experience the real Egypt.
Horse Welfare: At the Heart of Everything ♥️
One myth we hear all the time is that all horses in Egypt are skinny or mistreated. Let’s clear that up straight away: not all horses in Egypt are skinny! In fact, when cared for properly, Egyptian Arabians are some of the healthiest, happiest, and most dazzling horses you’ll ever meet.
Sadly, around tourist hotspots you may see tough scenes — horses worked too hard for too little. That’s exactly why Ride Egypt was founded: to prove there’s another way. Our horses aren’t just “ride animals”; they’re family. They’re named, loved, groomed, cuddled, and yes — sometimes they even nicker when they see breakfast coming .
Guests often tell us they’ve “never seen happier horses”. And that’s because welfare comes first here: balanced diets (definitely not sand), regular vet care, soft tack, rest days, and endless affection. A horse that feels good will carry you with spirit, strength, and that famous Arabian sparkle.
When you ride with us, you’re not just exploring Egypt — you’re supporting a vision for better horse welfare nationwide. Because we believe every horse deserves to dance in the sunshine, and every rider deserves to feel that joy.
By Women, For Women
Ride Egypt was created by a woman, for women. That matters. From the way our itineraries are designed, to the care of our horses, to the way our team looks after every detail — women’s experiences and comfort are at the heart of what we do.
Egypt can be overwhelming, unpredictable, and a little mad at times — but it’s also empowering, exhilarating, and full of laughter. Our trips are proof that women can (and should!) experience this country to the fullest — with horses, history, and a whole lot of humour.
Who Are Our Guests? ✨
If you’re wondering who joins our adventures, here’s the truth: 95% of our riders are solo female travellers. Women from all over the world who share one common love — horses.
They arrive as guests, often a little nervous, sometimes wondering “what have I signed up for?”. But by the time they leave, they’ve not only ridden through temples, deserts and farmland — they’ve also found a tribe. Friendships formed in the saddle are special, and ours have a habit of lasting forever.
As one guest put it: “Come as a guest, leave as a friend.” And that’s exactly what Ride Egypt is all about.
Meet Emma: The Woman Behind Ride Egypt ✨
People often ask, “Is Emma really scary?” The truth? She can be. If she sees behaviour toward an animal she doesn’t like, she’ll forget being a host in a heartbeat and launch into full protective mode. That’s why she’s earned a reputation locally as someone who takes no nonsense when it comes to horse welfare.
But behind that fierce exterior is a woman who has built something remarkable: a company that’s respected across Egypt, known for its love of horses and its passion for giving guests unforgettable experiences.
Emma is hard when she needs to be, but she’s also a complete pussycat — with the occasional grumpy-cat face . It’s this blend of fire and heart that makes Ride Egypt so special. She’s living proof that when women carve out space in the world of travel and horses, they do it with both grit and grace.
FAQs, Myths & Must-Knows ✨
-Why do you have tip kitties — and do I have to pay them?
In a word: yes. If you don’t, the guides will bury you in the desert . Jokes aside, tip kitties are there to help you. There are many people working hard behind the scenes to make your trip run smoothly, and the kitty ensures they’re looked after fairly. In Egypt, tipping is very transparent, traditional, and considered a mark of respect. Not tipping can feel like insulting someone’s mother — so yes, pop something in the kitty!
-What should I pack to ride in?
Good riding clothes. We’re not fans of the Instagram model wannabe look: cropped tops and short shorts? No thank you. Practical = comfortable = happy rider.
-What about evening wear?
As dressy or as casual as you want! Shorts, tees, and flip-flops are totally fine. But if you love to dress up — do it. Ball gowns for dinner? Yalla, let’s go! ✨
-Can I wear a bikini?
Absolutely yes — but keep your ass covered .
-Do I need to cover my head?
No. Big myth.
-What should I do if someone asks me for extra tips?
Laugh — and tell them to ask Emma.
-Will the guides take photos and videos?
Yes, with pleasure. But remember, we balance photos with time for horses and riding. We want you to live the experience, not just pose for it.
-What are the horses like?
Fun, spirited, but also well-trained and respectful — whatever your rider level. This is why our rider forms are so important. Be honest! They’re not an exam, and you don’t need to “big yourself up.” The more truthful you are, the better we can pair you with your perfect horse for the trip.
-What are your riding rules?
Simple: don’t overtake the guide! You’ve no clue where you’re going, and our guides are there to keep both you and the horses safe. Logical, really.
-Who is Emma and who is Gemma? Are they the same person?
We get this a lot — but no, we’re actually two people!
✨ Gemma is UK-based and our booking & client manager — also nicknamed the unicorn within our team. She’s the nicest person you’ll ever meet, and she’ll be by your side from the moment you enquire until you arrive in Egypt. Rider forms, diets, invoicing… pretty much everything runs through Gemma.
✨ Emma is the founder and owner of Ride Egypt. Once you land in Egypt, Emma and her team will welcome you in person and guide you on your magical journey on horseback.
So no, not one person with two names — just two women, one dream, and a lot of horses .
Final Thoughts
So, Egypt for women? Absolutely. You’ll arrive thinking, “What the hell have I signed up for?”, and leave thinking, “When can I come back?”.
Come with your sense of adventure, your best laugh, and maybe a fake husband called Mohamed — and let Egypt surprise you.