The Do’s and Don’ts of Riding Camels in Uluru

If you’re planning to visit the resplendent Uluru Ayers Rock and Kata Tjuta, riding a camel can be a part of an interesting travel experience. While you don’t need to be trained in camel riding prior to your first camel tour, you still need to abide by these guidelines to ensure your safety:

  1. Do follow what your guide says

Listen and do what your guide tells you before, during and after the camel tour. Even if you’ve had your share of riding other animals (e.g. horses), this doesn’t automatically mean you can handle a camel easily, since riding, let alone mounting, a camel is a different experience in itself.

Don’t ignore your guide’s instructions. For instance, don’t ever get on your camel unless your guide has tied it to something and has been secured for safe riding. For the fearful, it’s a relief to know that it’s not that complicated to ride a camel — you just need to swing your leg over the back and place yourself in the middle of the camel’s back, and lean back in your saddle as the camel starts to raise itself from its back legs.

  1. Do wear protective clothing

Wearing long pants and socks can protect you when exposed to the sun. This also prevents contact itchiness that might occur when you’re riding the camel, since its motion and the weather can affect your clothing.

It could be very hot in the Northern Territory during the summer, but don’t wear anything that’s too short or revealing. Leave being wild to the creatures of the wilderness – there’s no point in wearing anything that’s too provocative in the outback. By putting on appropriate clothes, you can also reduce the risk of sustaining injury and allergies.

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  1. Do take pictures only when your gadgets are secured

Who can’t resist taking photos of bizarre things you don’t always get to do every day? Camel-riders know that it’s a precious opportunity for photos, but don’t let excitement get the better of you before your smartphone or camera drops to the ground. Keep your device in protective gear, and don’t move around too much while you’re mounted, as this might alarm or annoy the camel.

When the tour is on break or you’re unmounted, make sure that don’t stand in front of your camel, since they can sneeze or blow a big bubble of foam from their mouths.

  1. Do bring a light painkiller

Riding any animal can be uncomfortable for an extended period of time. The size of the camel’s body and your position on its top can take a toll on you when you go for tours that last for more than an hour. Take light painkillers, such as Tylenol or Aspirin, to deal with discomfort when the ride takes too long.

Don’t litter when taking your meds or consuming food and drinks during the tour. No, being sneaky about throwing your trash doesn’t erase the fact that you’re not doing mother nature a favor. Keep that trash in your pocket or bag to yourself. It will be obvious if you decide to throw down something, since you’re riding on top of a tall camel. They might also attempt to eat or examine your trash, so put it first in your bag until you’ve found a proper trash disposal area.

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Riding a camel doesn’t exactly spell a fast journey, but it’s through these slow phases that you can take a break from everything and witness the rocky yet ravishing gems of Erldunda and the rest of the Northern Territory.

There’s more to the Northern Territory than just camel riding and sightseeing — contact us at the Erldunda Roadhouse to find out how to make your Australian journey educational and entertaining!

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