For centuries, camel racing has been a traditional part of Qatar’s heritage and lifestyle. It started as a form of entertainment at weddings and became a professional sport in the early 1970s.
But recently, it’s become a multi-million-dollar business. The first camel race in Qatar was held in the Al-Far area in 1973, and 300 camels participated.
People come worldwide to participate in camel racing or enjoy this competitive sport. This sport takes place in Al Shahaniyah , an hour away from Doha. It is one of the must-visit places, particularly if you’re a camel enthusiast.
If you are planning to go to the Camel Racing Track, be there before 10 a.m. so you can enjoy watching the camels being trained, running around the track, or enjoying their living environment and the view.
Camel Racing
The competitions occur on Fridays, from October to February every year, and the main camel racing competitions are in March and April.
At the end of the festival, the competition winner is awarded the prestigious Golden Sword of Father Amir His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. Entry to these races is free, and they usually start from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Al Shahaniyah Race Track
Al Shahaniya race track is the best spot to visit in Qatar. It is located one hour’s drive away from Doha and has the most expensive and best-groomed camels.
Camel riding at the Al Shahaniya race track is a once-in-a-lifetime experience because not only can you enjoy stunning views of the desert, but also the majestic sunset view from there.
Therefore, if there’s one place you want to visit when you are in Qatar to see camel racing at its very best, the Al Shahaniya RaceTrack has to be the perfect location.
how trains camels for competitions
Baby camels start training for races when they are 2 years old. They are expected to become skilled by running along with the older, experienced camels.
Camels are trained twice a day for about 45 minutes. To be qualified for the competition, they must be able to run at least 40 kilometers an hour. All the trained camels should also be fed special diets to ensure they are fit and ready to race.
They are usually able to run in races for about 10 years. In Qatar, male camels are well known for their tasty meat, and female camels are trained for racing in competitions.
Robot jockeys
Child jockeys were used to racing camels because of their age, size, and weight, but after the Prohibition of the use of child jockeys in 2004, robot jockeys were strapped to the camels’ backs.
They are often dressed in colorful clothes to add pleasure to the competitions. The robot jockeys are controlled by remote control. They weigh almost 25 kilograms and are very effective in racing.
Camel riding
Be ready for a dune-bashing adventure when you get to the Doha desert. You can also do sandboarding and other popular desert sports. After all the exhilarating experiences, you can relax, ride a camel and enjoy the views of the desert.
Is it worth trying?
Camel riding is an activity that travelers can’t miss. Among desert activities in Qatar, camel riding has gained considerable fame over time.
You can also enjoy the desert area during the evenings and the daytime. It is worth trying because you can feel your adrenaline pumping with dune bashing, enjoy the view of the desert, and relax when you ride a camel across the desert.
There are many tour companies that offer camel riding at various prices and quality levels, and all of them provide the best possible experience.
Is it an expensive activity?
Camel riding is highly popular among travelers in Qatar. However, pricing is a concern, and there are many local tours with different prices that offer camel riding at its very best.
Nevertheless, you can pay significantly less compared to other parts of the world, where the price of camel riding can be around $20 for just a 30-minute ride.
What to Consider?
This is a list of things you should consider forgoing camel racing:
- Wear comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen
- The duration of the tour will be between 4 and 5 hours; prepare yourself for long hours in the desert
- In the summer, casual and loose-fitting clothes are recommended, and in the winter, a jacket
- To avoid sickness during the dune bashing, do not eat 2-3 hours before the desert tour
- For sandboarding, use sports shoes
NOTE: Dune bashing is forbidden for pregnant women, those who have heart, back, or neck problems, and also children under 3.
