Have you ridden a camel?
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (340511)
Rockingham, Australia
November 4, 2018 3:24am CST
Camel rides are commonly on offer at the various fetes and agricultural shows that occur in Western Australia. Camels were imported from the Middle East during the early days of our settlement and played a huge role in the development of our country particularly in the outback areas where food and water were very scarce.
Once mechanisation took over, many of the camel teams were turned loose to fend for themselves and they have since become a pest in some areas. They are now regarded as being tougher and stronger than those in the Middle East and some are exported there to improve the breed.
When I first saw camel rides being offered many years ago, the camels were made to kneel to allow their riders to mount but now they are led next to a platform which allows the rider to mount easily without the camel having to get up and down all day. So, have you ridden a camel? I haven’t but I should really do so one of these days.
33 people like this
44 responses
@topffer (42156)
• France
4 Nov 18
Yes, in Morocco, a sweet camel to walk tourists. And it knelt. I am not comfortable on the back of any animal, and camels are less comfortable than horses and a bit more frightening because they are higher. You should try if you have an opportunity.
4 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (46978)
• India
4 Nov 18
@JudyEv yes one feels a bit of turbulence, but it looks exciting as well!
2 people like this
@moffittjc (121621)
• Gainesville, Florida
4 Nov 18
I have ridden a camel before, at a carnival. We had to climb up on a platform to mount the camel. That was years ago. I haven't seen camel rides in a long time. It seems like it's mostly elephant rides now, but a lot of the animal rights groups are protesting the inhumane treatment of the animals.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (121621)
• Gainesville, Florida
7 Nov 18
@JudyEv There's not as many as there used to be, but they can still be found. Our city puts on a medieval faire every year, and they have elephant rides there. Whenever the circus comes to town they also have elephant rides.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121621)
• Gainesville, Florida
9 Nov 18
@JudyEv Maybe your country is smart and has banned elephant rides and the horrible treatment of those wonderful animals. I know there is a movement starting to develop to push for better treatment of animals, including stopping the use of elephants and other animals for entertainment.
1 person likes this
@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
4 Nov 18
I just can't imagine if a camel goes berserk while you're riding on it :)
2 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (46978)
• India
4 Nov 18
@sunrisefan when riding it is best not to think about that. But if that does, then we are in a big trouble!
2 people like this
@porwest (91409)
• United States
5 Nov 18
@JudyEv I am trying to remember where we rode either. Might have been the zoo, or it might have been that safari fairground somewhere in California that I can't think of the name of. I just remember riding both, but not at the same time nor place.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (136778)
• India
4 Nov 18
Camels are seen on some beaches here and many take those rides. No platforms. Camels kneel down and then get up. I have not taken those.
2 people like this
@allknowing (136778)
• India
5 Nov 18
@JudyEv Here on the beaches these camels are seen all over the place and having those platforms may not be practical.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340511)
• Rockingham, Australia
5 Nov 18
As my husband says, there are some things he doesn't need to do.
@pgntwo (22408)
• Derry, Northern Ireland
4 Nov 18
Yes, in Tunisia some 20 or so years ago. And the animal lay down to allow me to mount it. I can't say it was better or worse than riding on a horse, as my childhood experiences of horse riding school were of a similar "hang on for dear life" approach...
2 people like this
@JudyEv (340511)
• Rockingham, Australia
5 Nov 18
They are one-humped camels in Australia. Have you seen a camel?
@thedevilinme (4129)
• Northampton, England
4 Nov 18
I bet on one in the Melbourne Cup
2 people like this
@JudyEv (340511)
• Rockingham, Australia
5 Nov 18
It's run tomorrow so he probably needs to start about now if he is going to win.
@ptrikha_2 (46978)
• India
4 Nov 18
@Icydoll visit places in Rajasthan- you would surely get a chance for a camel ride!
2 people like this
@nawala123 (20871)
• Indonesia
10 Nov 18
yes of course at the zoo. they are nice animals
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340511)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Nov 18
I haven't had much to do with them but they do seem quite nice.
@JudyEv (340511)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Nov 18
@nawala123 Yes, that is what they are called, aren't they?
@dpk262006 (58676)
• Delhi, India
5 Nov 18
I have no occasion to ride a camel or an elephant. I feel it would be uncomfortable to ride any of the two, therefore, even if I get a chance, I won't ride.
1 person likes this
@dpk262006 (58676)
• Delhi, India
5 Nov 18
@JudyEv Yes, nothing wrong in experiencing the ride and if you feel uncomfortable, you could jump from the camel back. 
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340511)
• Rockingham, Australia
5 Nov 18
@dpk262006 It's a long way to the ground from a camel's back. I think I'd try to stick it out till we got back to base. 
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340511)
• Rockingham, Australia
5 Nov 18
So you've ridden one. That's good. I am going to next chance I get.
@DaddyEvil (137261)
• United States
6 Nov 18
Yes, when Pretty was little we went to several of the zoos around us. I can't remember which one offered camel rides along with elephant rides, but Pretty and I both rode them. I have pictures of her on an elephant and a camel somewhere. When I have time I'll dig them out and show you.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (137261)
• United States
11 Nov 18
@JudyEv *grinning at you* Somewhere, I also have the photo where I'm riding the camel as well as the one of me riding the elephant. They are probably in the same box that has the photos of Pretty riding the animals.
That doesn't mean I'm going to start digging through boxes of photos to find them! 
That doesn't mean I'm going to start digging through boxes of photos to find them! 1 person likes this
@resukill22 (25050)
• Las Pinas City, Philippines
5 Nov 18
I want to ride in a camel, but I never saw it for real hehe only on the tv
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340511)
• Rockingham, Australia
5 Nov 18
@resukill22 I haven't ridden one but it looks rough.
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@resukill22 (25050)
• Las Pinas City, Philippines
5 Nov 18
@JudyEv its a good feeling to ride in a camel?
1 person likes this
@NormanDarlo (1071)
• Ireland
4 Nov 18
I have ridden a few camels, but the longest and most memorable was for a three-day trek in the Sahara near Timbuktu, many years ago with my missus. Once you get into the rhythm, it is actually quite comfortable to spend several hours up there! Here's a pic of me and my Tuareg camel. The conical shape behind is the Tuareg tent where we spent the night.
1 person likes this
@NormanDarlo (1071)
• Ireland
4 Nov 18
@JudyEv Er, a relationship of sorts, yes. They're still bad-tempered foul-breathed spitty animals at the end of the day though!
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