Egypt: Tour Egypt Monthly: Camel Trekking in the Sinai

Volume II, Number 8 August 1st, 2001

Camel Trekking in the Sinai

by Joyce Carta

I stayed at Nesima Resort in the heart of Dahab, a city whose name means golden in Arabic. Its primarily a dive hotel as Dahab is primarily a dive destinaation. However non-divers, even non-snorkelers, would be charmed by Dahab. Its local flavor blends resolute Bedouin independence with the panache of seascapes bordered by the fierce Sinai mountains topped off with a waterfront full of curiosity shops, crafts and tented, fire-lit seafood eateries. Where Sharm El Sheikh is somewhat sophisticated and studded with its share of 5 star lodgings, Dahab offers something closer to an authentic Middle East trade crossroads. A different attitude, a different pace of life.

At breakfast at Nesima I spoke with a mixed group of German and British divers whod just completed 10 days of diving perfection as they put it. Despite chilly temperatures and with the aid of 5 mil wetsuits they reported large varieties of fish, big fish and healthy corals. They raved about the unique Camel Dive experience, which in the course of their 10 days, theyd done twice, once north of Dahab and once south. The Camel Dive was the experience I was about to simulate, without the dive part, that is and everything Id ever heard or read about it promised that this was like no other experience you could ever hope to have.

I had contracted with Radwan, a Bedouin entrepreneur who would supply the transport to the camel, the camel itself, guiding and answers to the dozens of questions I knew Id have. The morning was spectacular, clear and fresh. Wicked, according to Radwan, whod picked up more than a little British slang in his time.

It was 8:45 AM and were off. Through tiny streets we traveled north out of Dahab in his rattling but reliable Mazda 4X4 truck, past all kinds of new constructiondive hotels coming everywhere. Dahab is growing north and south, fueled by the dive trade with a minimum amount of casual tourists passing through. We crossed the checkpoint where my name and nationality was duly recorded and then drove off onto a road that puts Kenyas worst to shame. Winding, rocky, dusty. We picked up some kids, mostly girls en route to sell trinkets to the tourists up the coast. They piled into the back of Radwans Mazda truck after camels, the vehicle preferred by Bedouins. We picked up a young and old woman with a small Downs Syndrome little girl who smiled and waved at me through the rear window for 20 minutes. Shes a lucky little girl; shell always have a family wholl care for her.

We arrived at the Blue Hole, a famous Dahab dive site, where I met my four-footed transport and saddled up. Bedouin saddles are not for the bony and sitting astride guarantees inner thigh ache. On the other hand, the crooked leg over the withers seat Bedouins prefer guarantees that one or the other foot will fall asleep. Pick your poison. We began the trek, me riding and Radwan walking behind clicking and talking continuously to his camel (Har-EEB, Har-EEB - GO, GO) for an hour and a half. Radwan, the poet, describes his people to me:

Strong like the desert,
Soft like the sea,
Walk like the wind,
Forever free.

On true dive treks the camels transport divers and all their gear over these same paths. We passed spectacular rock formations, tiny rest huts at the dive sites along the way and the deep turquoise/lapis Red Sea. The camel knew his work and knew his path and never put a wrong foot over the sharp rocks. Bedouins use male camels for transport; they live 15 30 years, seem to eat a few handfuls of whatever comes their way and drink nothingat least nothing that I saw. At one rough patch he swayed himself to the ground so I could get off and walk ittoo hard for him to balance the load and find his footing at the same time.

The tide was coming in looking fast and we three were along in the world. Radwan sang to the camel, answered my questions in very passable English (one of 7 languages he can manage in) and we continued through some of the most beautiful desolation on earth. We took the route north to the end, to Ras Abu Gallum.

A settlement had sprung up to serve the divers Bedouin people with carved features and mocha skin, beautiful children. I was singled out immediately by little Fatma who turned somersaults from my knees, flipping over to the ground. Adorable, but with runny mucous eyes. The interior flies in her hut were the reason. I met her male relatives, all friends of Radwan, met her mother, who may have been 30 but looked 50, a sister, a 1 year old and a newborn who nursed loudly as the flies buzzed. I took tea with them, hot, sweet and satisfying. Bedouin tea with a bit more zing, mint I think, than the typical Egyptian variety (which frequently, amazingly, is Liptons!).

Radwan, whod walked the whole way I rode, wanted to rest, pray and eat. I had decided to save my appetite for a waterfront fish dinner so I declined lunch. On the dive camel treks lunch is a Bedouin barbeque, usually fish, prepared on the beach by the camel boys as the divers rest during their surface interval. It must taste absolutely delicious.

There was so much to explore. I walked up the beach, chatting with the few Westerners about (this is very low season), entertained by the children and just basked in the end of the world feeling the place emits. I visited the rest room (definitely not for the nasally sensitive and would have been an appetite spoiler if Id had one)BUTit had a door. Of course the door didnt close but personal business privacy was respected.

I had an up close look at a camel saddle resting on the ground and it is exactly what it felt like a triangle of wood topped with a blanket that does nothing to cushion. The sand had a mica sheen, tiny diamonds exposed by the seas crushed granite. I spoke with a few divers and got the same raves Id heard at Nesima. Phenomenal clarity, healthy coral, huge fish, morays, crocodile fish, lionfish and more. I wandered up the rock trail, watching 2 kids launch a row boat I doubt if a full grown male tourist could have moved.

And then it was time to head back. My camel had finished whatever was in his snack sack, Radwan had completed his noon prayers and meal and we said our goodbyes. But not before little Fatma finagled me out of 20 Egyptian pounds for 3 beaded necklaces. I knew I was being totally ripped off and loved every minute of it.

Strong, soft, walking with the wind and forever free or at least until we regained the truck at the Blue Hole. I was sorry to see it end but Im sure my back will be relieved. The 8 high pommel and cantle horns, while essential for stability in the camel mounts and dismounts, also penalized you ferociously for bad posture. On the way back the Radwan taxi was again in service, giving a bed full of little kids an easy way back to Dahab. We passed young and old women in the shallows, low tide now, fishing for octopus with sharp sticks. Back through the checkpoint, my name dutifully crossed off, we returned to civilization.

But part of me will always be north of Dahab, free forever, like the wind, like the desert, like the Bedouin. Thank you, Radwan, for this day. Some Caveats: This is NOT recommended for weak backs. Bring water, sunscreen and a hat. Also 5 and 10 Egyptian pound notes for the inevitable purchases. Expect to pay around 150 pounds for the camel experience, without lunch or diving. But if at all possible, DO IT.

Types of Travel to Egypt by Jimmy Dunn

Neil Bush Family Visits El Gouna by Hazel Heyer

Party Time in Ancient Egypt by Ilene Springer

Camel Trekking in the Sinai by Joyce Carta

Nuweiba by Jimmy Dunn

Egyptian Hajj Painting by Sonny Stengle

Where Have All the Pharaohs Gone by Anita Stratos

Marvelous Melokiyah by Mary Kay Radnich

Exploring Isis by Catherine C. Harris

Never Mind, Just Crossing the Moon by Arnvid Aakre

Editor's Commentary By Jimmy Dunn

Ancient Beauty Secrets By Judith Illes

Book Reviews Various Editors

Hotel Reviews By Jimmy Dunn & Juergen Stryjak

Kid's Corner By Margo Wayman

Cooking with Tour Egypt By Mary K Radnich

The Month in Review By John Applegate

Egyptian Exhibitions By Staff

Egyptian View-Point By Adel Murad

Nightlife Various Editors

Egypt On Screen By Carolyn Patricia Scott

Restaurant Reviews Various Editors

Shopping Around Various Editors

Web Reviews By Siri Bezdicek

Prior Issues

July 1st, 2001
June 1st, 2001
May 1st, 2001
April 1st, 2001

March 1st, 2001

February 1st, 2001

January 1st, 2001

December 1st, 2000
October 1st, 2000
September 1st, 2000
August 1st, 2000

July 1st, 2000

June 1st, 2000

Master Index