Camels have been a mode of desert transport since the dawn of time and are an important mode of transport on our Colours of Morocco tour in the Sahara Desert. Guests on a Morocco holiday ride as the Bedouins do: through the dunes of Merzouga to our berber-style desert camp.

First off: aside from popular belief, the camels of Morocco are one-humped camels, also known as dromedaries or Arabian camels. Those two-humped camels everyone sees in cartoons call Asia home.

Yes, it can be intimidating to get on a camel for the first time, but with the help of our tour managers and these tips, it'll be as easy as hailing an Uber.

How to Ride a Camel

Make friends with your camel

Say hello. Give him/her a name. The camels will be in a kneeling (seated) position to allow you to hop on easily. Approach the camel from its side.

How do I get on this thing?

Standing along the side of the camel swing your leg over as much as you can over the camel's back, then hoist yourself into a seated position. Be careful with your swing! Camels are lined up in a caravan and you wouldn't want to kick the camel behind your camel in the face.

Get comfortable

Adjust yourself to be in the most comfortable position. The saddle is to make the ride more comfortable for your journey. You shouldn't feel like you are leaning forward or back too much, so use this time to make sure you are comfortable.

Hold on!

The camel's saddle is equipped with a handle bar. Before the camel stands up, hold on and push your upper body back. Camels stand up with their hind legs first and can jolt you forward if you aren't secured in this position.

Fasten your seatbelts

There are no seatbelts, but it is important to make sure you are comfortable and secure on the camel's back as you are Travelling through the sand dunes. Take in the beautiful scenery and breathtaking sunset, take your selfies, take your selfies with the camel, but make sure you have at least one hand on the handlebar.

You've arrived! Now what?

Hold on again and push your upper body back - the camel will sit down with its front legs first and can jolt you forward if you aren't secured in this position.

Hop off and jump into the Sahara

Swing your leg over to one side of the camel and hop off. Say "arak ghadaan" (see you tomorrow) to your camel and grab some mint tea.

Enjoy your stay in the desert!