When you’re in Saudi Arabia, you cannot miss out on a classic camel ride!
Camels have a very special place in Saudi history, heritage, and culture.
From the historic trade routes to the yearly migration of Arab families that still happens to this day, camels occupy a central role in the cultural identity.
As native animals to the Arabian Peninsula, camels have accompanied Saudi people since the beginning.
To have a full experience of Saudi culture, you must take a camel ride during your stay in Saudi Arabia!
History of Camel Riding in Saudi Arabia
Historically, camels were key for transportation and along trade routes.
In fact, camels are also called “ships of the desert.”
In time gone by, they moved enormous amounts of goods and people along ancient routes that moved through southwestern Saudi to Makkah and Medina.
While camel riding was extremely historically relevant, this tradition is carried forward to this day with Arabian families, who still use camels to make their yearly migrations with everything from their families, belongings, and even their homes.
Take a Camel Ride
If you want to tap into an authentic cultural experience, make sure you carve out some time for a camel ride!
These rides are available just outside Riyadh, in Nofa Wildlife Park, which holds over 700 animal species.
Upon your arrival, you’ll be treated to complimentary tea, coffee, and bottled water.
Then, take a camel-back safari to get to know the park and meet the unique wildlife up close.
Since it is a small tour, capped at three guests, you’ll get an intimate, private experience throughout!
If you want to have an even more special experience, you can add giraffe-feeding to your tour.
When you hand-feed these magnificent creatures, you’ll have another special memory to add to your camel ride.
No matter the season, you can take part in this rich cultural experience.
However, if you have the opportunity, taking a camel ride in the winter is especially magical!
With a blanket of Arabian snow on the ground, you’ll have the perfect backdrop for your ride.
Since snowfall is special for the locals as well, your camel ride will likely be accompanied by the locals, coming out along the roads to enjoy the powder as well.
There is no better seat to view the excitement and the wintry scenery than atop the region’s most important animals.
The King Abdulaziz Camel Festival
To get a better view of the cultural significance of camels to this day, check out the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival!
The festival, which was launched in 2000, gives great honor to the fact that camels have always been a key part of the Arab identity and scenery.
In fact, the festival spreads and promotes camel heritage as a part of overall Saudi culture.
The King Abdulaziz Camel Festival brings camel owners, the business community, and spectators together to celebrate camel heritage.
With hundreds of millions of Saudi Riyals on the line for competitors, it’s no wonder the festival brings so many spectators.
Among the key events, you can see Mazayen al-Ibl, which is a beauty pageant for camels.
The winner is selected based on their features, long nose, neck, coat, head, eyes, and eyelashes.
This festival occurs every winter between December and January, so perhaps you can witness the festivities and take your wintertime camel ride!
Enjoy a Historic Activity in Camel Riding
To get a feel of historic, authentic Saudi culture, you should prioritize doing a camel ride during your time in Saudi Arabia!
These majestic animals have been an integral part of Saudi culture for many years, stretching back through history and still have significance today.
Whether you get to know the camel through the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival or through a camel ride of your own (or both), it is something you should not miss!