Rida kamel i Tunisien - en ökentur vid porten till Sahara

Camel riding in Tunisia, what's it like? There are lots of camels (or dromedaries) in Tunisia, and we had a great ride at the gateway to the Sahara. We also got to meet a camel rider who competes - and has coached another rider - in camel races. What an exciting meeting!

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Riding a camel in Tunisia

The vast Sahara desert spreads over a third of Tunisia, and it is no wonder that camels are an important animal in this country. The camels (dromedaries) can be used in many ways, and today they are also used for tourist rides.

A meeting with a camel rider in Douz

As we approached the city of Douz by car, we were focused on seeking out the camel rider Ahmed, who also has a shop in the souk (market quarter) in the city. We had been contacted by the Swedish camel rider (!) Micke and his wife Julia, who among other things can be found on Instagram at the account @the.swedish.camel.rider

Because yes, there is a Swede competing in camel racing in Tunisia! This is a fascinating story and we promise to return. In the meantime, we can tell you that, with some help, we managed to find super nice Ahmed in the souk. He offered us tea and told us, in fluent English, about camel training, dramatic races and daring camel riders from various European countries. What an amazing encounter!

It was also Ahmed who helped us each get a practical (and stylish!) headdress for the upcoming quad bike ride. But today it's not about the quad bike ride, but about camels (or dromedaries as they are called in Tunisia)! Below you can see some of the great products in Ahmed's shop.

Riding a camel in Tunisia - at the gateway to the Sahara

If you want to ride a camel in Tunisia, there are many different options and tours. We were here on a press trip, and the camel ride was a surprise for us. On the way to the Sahara, the car suddenly stopped and there were... four camels waiting!

Have you ever ridden a camel? If not, we can tell you that camels / dromedaries are generally very calm and gentle. You sit in the saddle when they are lying down and just when they get up, you have to hold on, because it's a bit shaky. After that, riding is a very leisurely and peaceful experience.

Now, of course, we're talking about riding a camel in Tunisia in a very peaceful setting. If you want to become a rider in a camel race ... well, that's a different matter!

We made our way across the sand at a leisurely pace, and the feeling was almost meditative. The fleeting sand, the calm movements of the animals, the sun slowly moving towards the horizon ...

"Do camels in the open air run at full speed?" I asked in English. I asked in English, and our guide translated into Arabic so the camel driver could answer. "Yes, sometimes a few camels get the urge to race each other," said the camel driver.

We rode up to the tent camp at the gateway to the Sahara, outside Douz, where we would spend the night. What a wonderful way to arrive at your accommodation! We will tell you about the tent camp another day, otherwise this will be too long.

The camel driver took one last photo of us, before it was time for the camels to lie down so we could easily dismount. In the background you see our tents!

Camels at sunset

The camel driver took his camels and walked off into the sunset, and perhaps it was the most beautiful of all! We made ourselves at home in our tents.

More to see and do in Tunisia

In Douz you can experience the souk (market streets) and you can also try the quad bike rides. In Tozeur there is an interesting old medina, and in the surroundings you will find several nice oases as well as an exciting... filming location for Star Wars. Don't miss out on living in tents in the Saharawhich is a unique experience. In addition, we can recommend a visit to the beautiful island of Djerba.

Have you tried camel riding in Tunisia?

Have you tried camel riding in Tunisia, or perhaps elsewhere?

12 Comments

Add yours →

Ama de casa says:

What a lovely meeting and what a nice trip you got! Liked the colourful stuff in Ahmed's shop as well 🙂 .

I tried riding a camel when we were in Tunisia in 1973. You really had to hold on when the camel was going up and down. The ride was on the beach below our hotel, we had no Tunisian money and said we'd come back later and pay when we had change. Then we didn't see the guy with the camel again... I still have a bad conscience about having "poached" that camel, but that "crime" is probably time-barred by now 😀.

07 November 2021 - 9:33

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Really a lovely and interesting meeting!!! And what memories you have from Tunisia 🙂 I would say that the "poaching" is statute of limitations by now 😉.
  
  07 November 2021 - 16:37
  
Ditte says:

Really a fun experience. Have tried a few times in Tunisia, Morocco, Israel and in Saudi and Spanish Sahara, today Western Sahara - Fun when the camels run a little too. But very unstable.
Thanks for the ride and the experience. There was definitely some recognition factor. Very nice pictures.

07 November 2021 - 14:29

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  I hear you've tried it quite a few times! I think riding a camel is cosy. However, I have not experienced that they run, I can imagine that it is unstable!!! 😉
  
  07 November 2021 - 16:38
  
BP says:

What dream pictures from your ride! WOW I just say. Then you had a very nice camel rider as well and Ahmed with his outfit in Swedish colours was nothing wrong with it either. What an adventure you have been through!

PS. Were you and Peter the only ones on the press trip or were there more participants? DS.

07 November 2021 - 16:29

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Glad you like our pictures! And yes, it was a real adventure! 🙂 Good question by the way! It was a very small press trip, it was us and a Finnish travel blogger (it is she who is seen with us in the camel pictures).
  
  07 November 2021 - 16:40
  
Julia & Micke says:

So fun to read about your trip in fantastic Tunisia! Very nice pictures!
We just got back to the campervan at Camping Desert Club after joining Ahmed with his dromedary Bourak and feeding him.
Have fun!
/Julia & Micke @.the.swedish.camel.rider

07 November 2021 - 19:25

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Glad you appreciate our reports!!! So wonderful to hear that you are back now, even if it feels a little snoopy that we did not meet. Looking forward to hearing more about how it goes for you!!!
  
  09 November 2021 - 19:58
  
  - Julia & Micke says:
    
    It feels great to be back!
    Yes, it was a real shame that we passed each other.
    See you in the future!
    Have fun!
    /Julia & Micke
    @the.swedish.camel.rider
    
    09 November 2021 - 22:19
    
bmlarstravellingblog says:

Such beautiful desert pictures! My camel ride in India is one of my best travel memories ever! Sunset and suddenly +30 is replaced by 0 degrees and then a wonderful sunrise the next morning! Tunisia has attracted us as a golf destination too.

07 November 2021 - 19:30

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Glad you like the pictures! Camel riding in India sounds special and memorable! Interesting that the temperature changes so quickly. It was not as extreme in Tunisia right now, but the difference when the sun goes down is great! And yes, Tunisia is popular as a golf destination, many nice golf courses here!
  
  09 November 2021 - 20:00
  
Lena - good for the soul says:

But how cool did that sound! So delicious and beautiful!

Hug Lena

04 April 2022 - 5:57

Camel riding in Tunisia - an island tour at the gateway to the Sahara

Riding a camel in Tunisia

A meeting with a camel rider in Douz

Riding a camel in Tunisia - at the gateway to the Sahara

Camels at sunset

More to see and do in Tunisia

Have you tried camel riding in Tunisia?

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12 Comments

Ama de casa says:

Helena says:

Ditte says:

Helena says:

BP says:

Helena says:

Julia & Micke says:

Helena says:

Julia & Micke says:

bmlarstravellingblog says:

Helena says:

Lena - good for the soul says:

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