CAMEL- & HORSERIDING

• Camelriding
• Horseriding

Camelriding

It is impossible to overstate the importance and the value of a camel to the Bedouin. This "ship of the desert" allowed them to cover long distances, often at high speed, and ensured them their independence from authority for centuries before the arrival of cars, jeeps and airplanes. If they met trouble in one place, they could be a hundred kilometers away in 24 hours. It is not surprising that they called the camel "The gift of God" ("Ata Allah").

Camels have been throughout history a source of riches and of survival for nomad tribes. Their strength and endurance have served in trade and in war. Their wool, their milk and their meat are useful in everyday life. They are comfortable with people and often enjoy being caressed. Many of them attach themselves to their owner, and are actively unhappy when separated from him for any period of time.

During wars, the Bedouin claimed that even if a camel is mortally wounded during a fight, he will not succumb before having carried his rider out of the battle and out of danger before allowing himself to fall.

Although camels do appear to sneer at one, and the noises they make can sound very menacing, most camels are docile and even friendly creatures. They do slobber, really so! But the Bedouin seem to consider their camel as an intimate friend, they are proud of them, and will boast about them on the slightest provocation.

To simplify, camels can very generally be divided into three types: the burden bearing camel, the racing camel and the milk camel. A male camel is known as a "jamal" (the generic name for a camel), a female as a "naga", and a young camel as a "Qaod".

Burden bearing camels are the most common camel in Arab countries. You can see the difference in its larger size, its strength and its endurance. It can, in case of need, remain more than 2 months without drinking and few weeks without eating, although when given the chance it will drink and eat every day.

It is the riding camel the most frequently used. These camels are able to carry loads as heavy as 900 pounds, although normally they will only carry a third of that. Its hide provides tents for shelter, and the meat is said to be similar to veal, although a little tougher.

The racing camel are mainly to be found in the Arab peninsula where camel racing is becoming a very popular sport. it stands out by its long legs, a fine body and a small hump. It is reputed for its intelligence, its strong will and its courage. An ordinary riding camel will normally proceed at about 5–6 km/hour, its fastest racing speed being perhaps 20 km/hour, but a racing camel can reach 40 km/hour, sometimes more. Their endurance is astonishing: a good camel can cover 120 or 130 km in 12 hours. Some specially bred camels have been known to continue at racing speed for up to 18 hours. If you calculate the distance this covered, you can see just how valuable they were to the Bedouin.

So it’s a great opportunity to spend your holiday doing something completely different, in a sparse environment, the desert of Sinai, in a beautiful location on the beach, overlooking the Gulf of Aqaba. Camel treks are focusing on the element of Bedouin way of life and survival. Under the supervision of your Bedouin leader you will learn to care for your own camel, feeding, riding, loading it yourself.

Horseriding

Though there is controversy over the exact date horses were domesticated and when they were first ridden, the best estimate is that horses first were ridden approximately 4,500 BC.

There is some evidence that about 6,000 years ago, near the Dneiper River and the Don River, people were using bits on horses, as a stallion that was buried there shows teeth wear consistent with using a bit.

However, the most unequivocal early archaeological evidence of equines put to working use was of horses being driven. Chariot burials about 2,500 BC present the most direct hard evidence of horses used as working animals.

The horse played an important role throughout human history all over the world, both in warfare and in peaceful pursuits such as transportation, trade and agriculture.

A horse riding holiday in Dahab is a lot more than just horse riding. It is a holiday full of adventure and excitement.

Almost all horse riding will be done through the desert and wadis. As you can imagine the scenery is spectacular, ranging from narrow wadis with high cliffs either side to vast open desert.

To achieve the most of this trek you should be a confident rider capable of handling a forward going horse at the gallop.

The high intelligence, trainability, gentle disposition and stamina of the Arabian horse enable it to excel at a wide variety of activities especially as an endurance horse.

So enjoy the beauty of the Sinai on horseback. Whether you are an experienced rider or new You can ride from between one hour to five hours and if you are really keen can spend the night in the desert with the horses.

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