If there’s an image that symbolizes both modern and ancient life in Saudi Arabia it’s the camel. The animal is native to the Arabian Peninsula and has accompanied Saudis as far back as recorded time. According to statistics from the Ministry of Tourism, the camel population within the Arabian Peninsula is estimated to be around 1.6 million, out of which 53% can be found in Saudi Arabia. The number has been growing by about 5.2% per year since 1961.
“For our great-grandparents the camel was the most important logistical element for centuries,” says Naif Al-Rajhi, CEO Alrajhi International Group, told Travel Tomorrow. “They traveled on camels, they drank their milk, they even ate camels. The camel is truly an integral part of our culture.” The national animal of Saudi Arabia, they are plentiful and of great importance to the country. From providing food to shelter to labor to entertainment to company, the camel has been, and continues to be, inextricably linked to Saudi life.
The camel is part of our family. In the past, no family could survive without a camel.
Naif Al-Rajhi, CEO Alrajhi International Group
The ancient camel caravan routes that passed through southwestern Saudi heading to Makkah and Medina moved tremendous amounts of goods and people. Several families still use the animal to transport their children and homes during their yearly migrations. “The camel is part of our family. In the past, no family could survive without a camel,” said Al-Rajhi. “When you want to travel, you have to travel with the camel because it can survive without water for five or six days.”
The Camel Club
The Camel Club was established in 2017 by a royal decree and put camels under the supervision of the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The Club aims to care for and develop the camel sector, innovate and develop investment opportunities related to it. The Club also strives to consolidate interest in camels as part of the authentic heritage of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The Camel Club organizes several beauty contests, which makes camel lovers quite enthusiastic. “Our beauty pageants feature very expensive camels, and they compete with each other,” said Al-Rajhi. “Camels are very expensive here in Saudi Arabia, and throughout the Gulf region.”
While the prized camels that attend races, pageants and shows, such as the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival, can sell for more than $1 million and are treated like royalty, the average Saudi camel is more like a trusty pet.
Some camels can cost up to 6 million dollars, just for one camel. That’s more expensive than a Bugatti.
Naif Al-Rajhi, CEO Alrajhi International Group
In June of 2022, the Camel Club and the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve Development Authority signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to create a framework to support and preserve the national heritage of desert life and promote sustainability and community awareness. The MoU defines the framework for implementing joint projects and programs between the Camel Club and the reserves of Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed and King Khalid Royal Reserve.
The MoU also seeks to launch initiatives to support cultural programs and collaborate in building national capabilities and training Saudis in the environment and culture associated with desert life and the national heritage of camels.
