We head out to the Bedouin Oasis in Ras Al Khaimah for the weekend with camels in mind. I am looking forward to riding a camel but before we even arrive we encounter a couple of friendly ones along the road.
There are lots of camels in the UAE. The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Enviroment (MOCCAE) estimates the population at around 450,000, some of which are wild. There are two types of camel, the dromedary or Arabian camel and the Bactrian or Asian camel. The dromedary has one hump, the Bactrian has two. The camels that we encounter running along the road beside our car are distinctly Arabian.
When we arrive at the Bedouin Oasis it is still a bit early for the camels to emerge so we take a dip in the pool and drive some of the toys – remote control cars and drones – that my husband has brought along to entertain the boys.
Once the shadows become a little longer, the camels arrive, awaiting their passengers.
We await our turn. Camels by nature are rather languid creatures. They are certainly curious. Beware if you stop on the side of the road and wind down your window. You’re likely to have a wet nose inside the car! Generally, they are relaxed creatures overall though. They likely live near here, just over a dune or two. While there are fences largely preventing the beards from getting on the highways, the smaller roads in between are fair game and you have to drive slowly – it’s illegal to harm a camel in the UAE. What’s more, they haven’t been taught to give way!
These ones are particularly tame. They wait patiently, likely having roamed some of the day. Then, they either return to their pen or are herded in the late afternoon for the purposes of the UAE tourist ritual.
A trip to the UAE is not entirely complete until you have ridden a camel. We wait a short time for our turn and then climb on. I hold on tight anticipating the bone rattling experience of the camel standing up – even with the anticipation I am not quite prepared! Once we are up and walking though, I feel like I am flying.
The view over the desert is just that much more vivid from here – the colors more intense, the sense of isolation from reality more profound.
Camels are particularly important to the Emirati culture, dating back to the roots of Bedouin heritage. They made life in the desert possible, not only providing transport but often also clothing (camel hair fabric and leather) and food (camel milk, and less frequently, camel meat). The Bedouins believe they were God’s gift to their people.
Although these rides are a bit of fun within the desert experience, these animals are truly extraordinary. They can drink up to 150L of water in one go, then they can last up to 2 months without water. Their hump, which only develops once the mammals begin eating solids, is for excess body fat that diminishes as they use energy, the water retention and ability to go long periods without water is due to their uniquely shaped blood cells.
Camels have three sets of eyelids, two sets of eyelashes and are able to close their nostrils completely. All these aid in their ability to keep sand out during desert storms. They can travel at up to about 65km/hour, a fact that today makes them popular for racing. Camel racing is a fixture of Emirati culture much as horse racing is a part of many other cultures.
Today I gaze out over the desert and marvel at the camel and also the history of this creature that allows me to be riding here in the middle of the desert today.
Good To Know
Camel riding is a must in the UAE. In the desert is my preference but it’s also possible to go for rides along the beach. Most of the desert dune bashing and safaris offer a short complementary ride. However, if you have time, try to experience this as an activity, rather than a mere curiosity. It’s possible to book longer camel-backed desert treks. These allow a taste of what it might have been like to travel by caravan. Something I am glad to only have a ‘tourist’ taste of, much like staying in a Bedouin Oasis.
Would I Return?
Yes. This is a fun experience, particularly with friends or in a group. It’s an ideal place to get a feel for the desert. It is also a chance to try some of the experiences and activities that are inherently tied to Arab history and culture.
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