Yearning for a getaway with unique and exciting experiences? The luminous and majestic arid landscapes lie unending for you with a variety of adventures worth trying out. Aside from the desolation and vastness, the immensity and massive sand dunes promise a lot with numerous unforgettable experiences such as sandboarding, dune bashing, quad biking, just to mention but a few besides the enchanting camel rides. Despite the exhilarating nature, all the adventures other than camel ride in desert involve some limitations and spine-tingling moments that might not be convenient for all. Whereas the ride on the majestic creatures is completely safe and at the same time entertaining. The travel along with the rhythmic walk of camels, relishing the incredibly gorgeous desert scenery in its depth is irresistible. The blog aims to shed light on how to ride camel in desert safari, sharing step-by-step details to make the ride interesting and comfortable. So let us have a thorough understanding of the art of desert safari camel ride.
Why ride a camel in the desert
A complete desert safari experience is not possible without camel riding. Dating back thousands of years, riding camels have been dependable as the most favourable means of transportation across deserts. Following the discovery that deserts can be a perfect destination for all alike, there came numerous adventurous activities. Nevertheless, camel riding, with a natural and traditional sense, still remains the main part of any desert safari. Camels, with their usually calm and friendly nature help us to enjoy the ethereal beauty of sunlit sand dunes leisurely. Our desert safari tours in Abu Dhabi have a very budget friendly yet, very sophisticated and authentic tour package that offers camel rides at different times of a day. The morning, evening and overnight desert safari camel rides offer unique and captivating views of desert life. The thrill and adventure of these rides is beyond the realm of imagination and uncompromisable!
Preparing for your camel ride
Having a comfortable ride is really important. What are the key factors we need to consider while planning for a camel ride in the desert? Let's check one by one.
- Dress comfortably: Wearing comfortable clothing while your desert safari camel ride is inevitable. Given the extremely hot climate of the desert, clothes that are breathable and freely fitting are highly recommended. Along with the lightweight full coverage dress, you should wear any closed-toe sturdy shoes for maximizing protection. Clothing made out of cotton or other moisture- wicking fabrics are suitable to resist and manage heat.
- Sun Protection: Fitting into comfortable clothing alone can't withstand the desert weather. It's integral to use SPF sunscreens for ensuring skin protection. To extend the shielding further, consider wearing a wide brimmed hat and sunglasses for preventing any sort of damage. It is also useful to carry a scarf or towel while going on a desert safari camel ride.
- Stay Hydrated: Consuming plenty of water to keep your body hydrated is quite essential when getting exposed to extreme heat. While in a desert your body continuously sweat and this can lead to dehydration. To avoid headache, fatigue, dizziness or any other complications, make sure to drink enough water.
The camel ride process: What to expect?
Though easy, there are certain aspects to learn about how to ride a camel. Having a good understanding on how to mount up and down a camel, as well as maintaining good posture can really facilitate smooth safari. Continue reading to know the art of mounting and dismounting a camel like an expert!
Mounting the camel
- 1. Try to build a rapport with the animal your camel before the ride. You may give gentle pats on its neck and shoulder or walk a few steps with it.
- 2. Take a position on the side of the animal with the saddle and hold onto the saddle horn which is colloquially called ‘pommel’.
- 3. Place your left foot on the stirrup or footrest comfortably and make sure you got the grip.
- 4. Now, you can easily swing your right foot around the camel and get safely seated.
Getting comfortable
Once you take your position on the saddle, it's important to acquire safe and comfortable posture. You can avoid holding the horn too tightly and if wanted can get hold of the reins with the assistance of your guide. Maintaining an upright position would be appropriate with distributing your weight equally on both sides. Try to adjust the length of the footrest with the help of the guide to avoid over straining and confusion searching them while the animal advances slowly.
What it feels like
For those who have never been on any animal ride, it's possible to feel a little intimidating. However, with the instructions and help of the guides, after a few minutes you can easily get on the rhythmic striding of the creature. The initial intimidating feeling won’t be there if you concentrate and manage to understand the flow of the camel’s pacing. It's always recommended to look straight and learn to adapt with the camel's movement to get the complete experience. Have a safe and comfortable camel ride with our desert safari Abu Dhabi.
Camel riding tips for beginners
- Maintain balance: Those who are inexperienced may focus on establishing balance as soon as possible. It's not uncommon to feel like falling down, but stay confident and hold on to the horn without fail all the time. During the ride stay focused on your posture and make sure to have the grip on your legs.
- Relax and enjoy the ride: Once you attain balance to an extent, it's time to enjoy the ride feeling the scenic beauty of the sand dunes. At this point you may loosen the grip and pressure you exert to avoid stiffening up. Try to maintain the posture and enjoy the ride at the same time without getting nervous.
- Follow the guide: Above all listening and adhering to the suggestions and advice of the guides is an important factor to take into consideration. Being experts, they will be able to assist you the best to have an enjoyable and safe ride.
Common mistakes to avoid
How heartbreaking it would be if you fail to enjoy the ride in a way you expected because of getting overly hyped and nervous. It's very natural to feel so, but you have to master and prepare your mind not to panic. If you feel uncomfortable, breathe deeply and motivate yourself to relax. It's also important not to hurry if you feel like retracing the art of how to ride a camel in the desert. Take it easy and enjoy the ride slowly and with respect to the unhindered and gradual progression of the camel. Our Abu Dhabi desert tour incorporating several other adventures, will help you have a fantastic and leisurely camel ride across the sandy terrains. With professional riders and planning, we will assist you to seek a magical desert safari you long for. Book your safari now!
Conclusion
Learning how to ride a camel in a desert safari is integral to have a perfect safari. The various tips and suggestions provided are really helpful to ride your camel like a pro! The mesmerizing and alluring beauty of desert plains is inexplicably deep as experiencing this riding a camel can make you reach the top of excitement! Desert safari camel rides are immensely popular across the world due to the cost- effectiveness yet unparalleled experience it offers. So, book your safari and master the art of camel riding!