Camel Riding in the UAE: What It Is Actually Like

Camel riding is on every desert camp's activity list and it is worth doing once, with realistic expectations about what it is and is not.

The mounting is the part you will remember

The camel sits while you get on. Then it stands, back legs first, which pitches you sharply forward, then front legs, which throws you back. It happens fast and it is genuinely alarming the first time.

Lean back as the back legs straighten, then forward as the front legs come up. Hold the front of the saddle rather than the reins. Getting down is the same in reverse and, if anything, more abrupt.

The ride itself

At a camp, a led walk of five to fifteen minutes, usually a loop across a dune. The gait is a rolling sway, camels move both legs on one side together, which is why the motion feels so different from a horse. Some people find it soothing; a few find it queasy.

Ten minutes is honestly the right length. Longer treks sound romantic and become uncomfortable, because a camel saddle is not designed for extended casual riding.

The cultural background

Worth a sentence at an event, because it changes how guests see it. Camels were transport, milk, meat, wool and wealth in the pre-oil Gulf, and the relationship was closer to livelihood than to leisure. Racing remains a serious sport with significant prize money, and prized breeding camels sell for extraordinary sums.

A guest who knows that is having a different experience from one who thinks it is a fairground ride.

Welfare, and what to ask

Reasonable questions of any operator: how many hours do the camels work, how often do they rest, do they have shade and water on site, and who handles them?

Signs of a good operation: visible shade and water, handlers who clearly know the individual animals, short rotations, and a willingness to stop if an animal is unsettled. Signs of a bad one: continuous work through the hottest hours, no shade, and handlers who defer to guests over the animal.

It is a fair question to ask before booking, and a good operator will answer it without defensiveness.

Ages and suitability

Generally from about five, with an adult for younger children. No real upper limit, but the mount and dismount need some core stability and are harder than the ride. Anyone with back or neck problems should think carefully about that motion specifically.

Practical

• Long trousers are more comfortable than shorts against the saddle.
• Secure hats and sunglasses; they come off during the mount.
• Hand your phone to someone rather than trying to film while mounting.
• Late afternoon is best for both the light and the animals.

FAQs

Is camel riding safe?

Yes, on a led camp ride with handlers. The mount and dismount are where care is needed.

How long should a ride be?

Ten to fifteen minutes is comfortable. Long treks are less pleasant than people expect.

Can two people ride together?

Some saddles take two, often an adult and a child. Ask the operator.

Can we include camels in an event?

Yes, as a led arrival for a couple, a rotation for a group, or simply present for photographs. A camel arrival at dusk photographs beautifully.