Riding camels in Egypt - all you need to know in 2024!
It was crazy to think that I was finally doing it.
Riding a camel around the Giza Plateau, what an experience!
It is mind-blowing that people would have made the exact same camel ride hundreds of years ago.
Do you want to ride a camel in Egypt? But unsure of how to do it? or where to do it?
This blog details all the information you need, so you can ride a camel in Pharaoh land at some of the most beautiful picture perfect locations across Egypt!
My ride didn’t go exactly to plan, but what does at the Pyramids of Giza?
The perfect camel shot in Egypt.
Camel culture in Egypt.
One of the most popular reasons why visitors choose Egypt is to sample camel life.
Camels have been an important part of Egypt for centuries, through serving a multitude of purposes. As domesticated animals, the camels live side by side with the local people throughout Egypt.
Some of the main benefits that camels offer Egypt are:
Transport
Livestock.
Textiles.
Tourism.
Entertainment.
Even though camels weren’t used in the ancient civilisations, who chose horses, they have been an integral part of daily life since the Ptolemaic Period (around 350 BC).
Transport.
Camels have been known as the ships of the desert in Egypt due to their ability to cope with the extreme conditions of the desert landscape. This helped to facilitate trade routes and to create cultural connections, along with giving locals a personal mode of transport in times when automobiles did not exist.
The military also used camels for logistics, giving them an advantage in the vast deserts.
Livestock.
Camels have provided sustenance for the desert communities through milk and meat, which are packed full of protein, hydration, and minerals. Camel meat is typically consumed through stews and sausages.
Camel was an option in the popular Sofra Restaurant I visited in Luxor, however, I didn’t try it on this occasion!
Textiles.
Camel hair is used for making warm textiles, such as blankets, coats and rugs, whereas, camel skin is used for leather goods.
Entertainment.
Camel racing has been a popular sport in Egypt for centuries.
The camel culture in Egypt goes far beyond practicalities though!
Camels are deeply embedded into Egyptian culture and appear in art, stories, and proverbs worldwide, where they are interwoven into the fabric of Egyptian life.
Local boys ride the camels in Aswan.
How to ride a camel in Egypt.
You will find camels throughout the different locations in Egypt, therefore you have an abundance of options, wherever you’re visiting.
You can book an official tour including a camel ride.
These tours typically include experienced guides, trained camels, and safety equipment. They're a great option for beginners or those who want a hassle-free experience.
You can negotiate with the locals yourself.
This option is more risky and will usually involve better haggling skills. I was offered a camel ride in the most random places in my solo Egypt trip - from backstreet alleys, to my hostel reception!
I also witnessed tourists negotiating a camel ride in the local markets in Luxor and Aswan. I think this is a better option than the pricier tourist areas, if you aren’t too fussed about the famous backdrops.
Sussing the camel out.
Both of us posing for the camera.
How much does it cost to ride a camel in Egypt.
The simple answer here is whatever the locals can get from you!
The price in Egypt is never the final price. They will try and get every last penny from you while you are still in their presence.
My camel ride at the pyramids of Giza doubled in price from when I agreed a price to when I dismounted the camel. I am pretty streetwise, which helped to minimise the damage, however, for tourists with less experience, it can get very expensive!
Being led to the viewpoint at the Giza Plateau.
Are the Pyramids the best place to ride a camel in Egypt?
It goes without saying that the Giza Pyramids are the number one spot to ride a camel!
The last remaining ancient wonder is abundant with history and beauty, however, the downside is the hustlers, as the Giza plateau is well known as one of the scam heavy tourist attractions in the world.
If you think you can handle the hassle, or think it’s worth the extra money for the one-of-a-kind camel ride (like I did), then this should be your choice.
Here are some other options for famous camel rides in Egypt, which may just change your mind!
Luxor West Bank.
Home to some of the world’s most beautiful ancient temples, fascinating tombs and the most famous mummy of them all, Luxor’s west bank makes for the perfect spot to ride a camel in the presence of astonishing history!
Siwa Oasis.
A more relaxing option is a serene experience in the oasis of Siwa, home to lush palm groves, salt lakes and iconic landmarks. This is better suited to travellers who want a hassle free experience.
Hurghada.
A beach camel ride with a view of the beautiful red sea offers a different option for your resort style holiday.
As you can see, there are some wonderful options for camel rides in Egypt, which is why it is so popular with tourists.
A camel chilling in front of the Great Pyramid of Giza.
My experience riding a camel at the Pyramids.
I was never expecting my trip to the Pyramids to go according to plan, as I had read some horror stories and seen many videos of the behaviour of the local hustlers.
To try and make things smoother I had booked an official tour to the pyramids, Memphis and Saqqara Necropolis, however, this only mitigated the negative aspects of the experience. I organised with my tour guide to pay for the camel ride with the locals, to avoid having to haggle too hard. This cost 500 EGP (£12.50), which I thought was reasonable for the once in a lifetime experience.
What the tour guide did not tell me was the local would try every trick in the book to get more out of me and he succeeded!
It cost extra for him to take a photo, more angles, meant more money - of course!
I ended up paying twice the initial agreement as I couldn’t be bothered to argue. It was the last activity of my Cairo stay, and I had a night on the sleeper train to Luxor ahead of me.
When I argued at first, the local started acting weird and funny with me, and I wasn’t letting a few quid ruin my experience!
I learnt my lesson in terms of the locals’ behaviour, which put me in good stead for the monkey business which was coming in Luxor and Aswan!
More chill time.
Two buddies.
Camel life in Aswan.
If you head to the southern city of Aswan, there is no shortage of camels living in harmony with the locals.
Whether you are in the Nubian villages, or the surrounding deserts, you will come into contact with the camels. I noticed the camels pulling their weight in the community by carrying goods to the markets for the traders, usually only accompanied by children navigating them.
As I headed up the Nile to the famous Gharb Seheyl Village, I noticed many tourists riding camels on the banks of the Nile, which must have been part of an excursion to the village.
Such an elegant creature.
The significance of camels in the local Nubian culture is displayed throughout the city, including the Nubian villages. I noticed many pieces of graffiti art of camels & crocodiles.
In the markets throughout the villages, I also saw loads of camel themed souvenirs, camel textiles, and even some camel named drinks and dishes in the cafes and restaurants dotted around.
Camel art is part of the culture n Aswan.
More beautiful camel art.
Is it safe to ride a camel in Egypt?
It is no secret that mounting onto a camel is a tricky endeavour at the best of times!
It is important to have some awareness of your surroundings before agreeing to ride a camel. I found that observing the way that other tourists were looked after, and more importantly, how the camels were treated was a very good indicator of safety levels.
A looked after and well trained camel will always make the activity safer.
Two of the main risk factors that I witnessed were:
Risk of falls.
I witnessed a tourist nearly fall off a camel as it stood up, as she wasn’t holding on properly, or listening to instructions from the operator. It is quite a height, so there is potential to break a bone, or worse!
Animal bites or scratches.
In Egypt it is very hot, and can get ridiculously crowded at the main tourist sites, especially on an afternoon when the tour coaches arrive. This can agitate the camels, or horses, so it is important not to get too close to them as they are prone to biting or scratching people when they feel threatened.
The young locals find it easy to ride the camels.
What to wear when riding a camel in Egypt?
The temperatures in Egypt can get very hot, especially at the tourist sites in Giza and Luxor, as it is all open air, therefore, the risk of sun stroke is very high.
I would recommend you wear a cap, or a Neme (head cloth), along with adequate sun cream on your arms and legs.
Some more tips for riding a camel in Egypt.
Mounting and maneuvering the camels:
Listen to your tour guides instructions carefully.
Hold on tight, especially as the animals stand up, as it gets very bumpy.
Keep your phone and other important possessions zipped up so they don’t fall off during the bumpy walk.
Respecting the Ride:
Be gentle while riding the camel, with no loud noises, or sudden movements.
Don’t try and take any camel hair or similar as it can hurt the animals.
Be mindful of the local culture, so if you are happy with the ride, you should offer a small tip - At Giza, they will hassle and demand a tip, so I wouldn’t offer one in this case.
Is it ethical to ride a camel in Egypt?
Is it cruel to ride a camel in Egypt?
I had doubts about whether to ride a camel at the pyramids, following my experience at Petra in Jordan, where the camels seemed agitated outside the famous treasury. On that occasion I chose not to take part in the activity.
Ultimately, in Egypt, I took the decision to ride a camel, as what I experienced while I was there was camels that seemed relaxed (as shown in the photos). This put my ethical and safety concerns at ease at the moment.
This isn’t to say that it is always that way in Egypt!
I wanted to experience the local culture during my trip and camel riding is a big part of it!
I would always be aware of the situations as they arise and make an informed decision on that basis.
If you want to have a more ethical ride, then heading out to non-touristy areas is the best bet!
Were camels used in ancient Egypt?
Camels weren’t used in ancient Egypt, although some were present in the country.
The Egyptians opted for riding horses through chariots and carts instead.
Camels weren’t used in ancient Egypt.
Are there wild camels in Egypt?
There are very few wild camels in Egypt as of today.
There are some wild camels on the road to Siwa on the northern coast.
You will not encounter Siwans offering you to ride camels in the desert
Camels in Egypt are domesticated, and have been for thousands of years.
Do you want to visit Luxor or Aswan?
If you are visiting Egypt soon and have not planned your itinerary yet, then Luxor and Aswan should both be on your radar!
Both cities offer contrasting experiences, which combined provides you with a rounded view of the culture, history and climate of Egypt.
Luxor cannot be matched in terms of ancient historical landmarks, but the Nubian charm of Aswan is truly unique to the most southern point of Egypt!
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