If you’re heading to Dubai, there’s a good chance camel riding is on your bucket list. It’s part of that classic Arabian adventure vibe. But before you climb on, it’s worth asking yourself a simple question: Is it even ethical?
Camel rides are marketed to tourists as something fun and harmless. But the truth is a bit messier. We don’t get to see how these animals are handled, and that’s where the ethical questions start to pop up. Today, we are taking a closer look at the matter at hand.
History of Camel Riding in Dubai
Camels have been part of the Middle East for thousands of years, and their importance goes far beyond the occasional tourist ride. Nomadic communities rely on them for food. Their dung is used as fertilizer.
Domesticated over 5,000 years ago, camels were also necessary in trade and travel. Their ability to handle extreme heat made them invaluable to desert folks. Even today, their cultural significance remains strong. For example, Arabic has more than 50 words for “camel.”
Understanding this history helps explain why camel riding has become such a popular tourist activity. It has an immersive cultural significance. But as we celebrate that history, it’s worth asking whether modern tourist rides honor that legacy or exploit it.
Does Riding Harm Camels?
At first glance, camel rides may not seem that much of a big deal. They are famously tough. The “ships of the desert” can trek up to 25 miles (40 km) a day, carry over 1,300 pounds (590 kg), and go for up to 10 days without water. One could argue that it’s similar to riding a horse.
But the reality is far messier once you look at tourist sites. In countries offering camel rides (Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, and the UAE), animal welfare laws are weak and poorly enforced. Overworked animals and a lack of proper veterinary care are not uncommon. In 2018, PETA released footage from Egypt showing camels being beaten to make them “behave.” Even if a camel could physically carry people, chronic stress and long tourist days take a toll on their well-being.
Tourists often unknowingly contribute to routines that prioritize entertainment over welfare. From a broader perspective, this raises questions about modern desert safaris. Could adventurers get the same thrill without relying on animals at all? The answer is a solid yes. Dirt bikes, dune buggies, and quad bikes offer high-octane fun without raising all these ethical dilemmas. More on that later.
Camels Can Communicate
Camels are way smarter than you’d think. First off, you can’t really force them to give you a ride. The camel needs to be cooperative. And if they find it annoying, they’ll let you know. Tourists and some operators often fail to catch these signals.
A lot of people think camels are just naturally stubborn or cranky. Truth is, most of the time it’s stress. If a camel sways, refuses a step, or “spits” (which is really just regurgitating recently chewed food), it’s basically saying, “Hey, back off!” In contrast, well-cared-for camels are curious and social. They can bond with handlers and even show moods and preferences.
Ethical Guidelines for Camel Riding in Dubai
Deciding whether to ride a camel is ultimately a personal choice, but it helps to go in informed. One of the first steps is planning. Here are a few tips:
Be Curious
A good tour operator has nothing to hide. Before booking, ask how their camels are handled. Do they keep these camels on rotation? Are they fed and watered properly? If the operator dodges your questions or gets defensive, that’s a red flag. The best ones will gladly walk you through their process, sometimes even introducing you to the camels before the ride. Look for transparency.
One Rider per Camel
You’ll often see operators letting two tourists ride a single camel to double profits. But that’s rough on the animal’s spine and joints. Camels can carry weight, but that doesn’t mean they should be overloaded for entertainment. If you’re offered a shared camel, politely decline and ask for your own. They might charge you extra, but at least you’re not adding to an animal’s exhaustion for a photo op.
Consider Ride Duration
Camels used for quick “photo rides” are often the most overworked. They go back and forth under the sun for hours, without breaks. Multi-day camel safaris, on the other hand, are slow-paced because of rest periods. This arrangement works better for camels. When you book, look for experiences that treat the ride as a journey, not a revolving-door attraction.
Speak Up
If you see something wrong, speak up. Write a review that calls out mistreatment or contact animal welfare groups. Even a small comment can push operators to rethink their practices. Tourists have more influence than they realize. Silence helps no one, least of all the camels.
Alternatives to Camel Riding
Just because there are ethical concerns around one of the oldest desert traditions doesn’t mean your adventure in Al Badayer has to be boring. The beauty of the dunes can be experienced in countless different ways.
Dirt Biking
Unlike your heavy road hogs, dirt bikes are stripped down of padding, mirrors, etc. Their lightweight frames make them easy to lift, twist, and recover when the dunes try to swallow you whole. Every inch of their design screams efficiency:
- long-travel suspension to absorb brutal landings
- high ground clearance for rocky patches
- knobby tires that claw into loose sand
There’s something primal about riding a dirt bike in Dubai. It’s the art of syncing your movements with the pulse of shifting sand. Dirt biking captures what many seek from camel riding: immersion, solitude, a sense of timeless travel. Your instincts guide you.
Dune Buggies
Dune buggies are basically roller coasters you get to drive yourself. The wide tires grip the sand, the suspension soaks up every bump, and the engine has enough power to climb steep dunes or speed across flat stretches. When you crest a dune and catch some air, it’s a rush that makes your heart race. The best part is the double-seat arrangement because you have the option to make it a shared adventure.
Quad Biking
Quad bikes are like the Swiss Army knife of desert riding. They’re small enough to weave through tighter dunes, yet powerful enough to tackle steep slopes. Because they’re compact, you can launch a quad bike over a ridge for a quick jolt of adrenaline. Many riders describe the experience as meditative. The perfect balance between human will and elemental force.
End Note
Camel rides have their perks, but they come with ethical concerns. Even well-intentioned tours can’t erase the stress or physical strain animals may experience in busy tourist settings. We’ve mentioned off-road alternatives that give you that same thrill, without the guilt of animal abuse.
That said, if you still want to experience the classic camel ride, Dubai Buggy Adventure has you covered. Our camels are treated with care so that you can enjoy this iconic experience without feeling bad. Ride with us and enjoy the desert the way it’s meant to be: ethical, exhilarating, and electrifying.
