Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WORTH A TRIP
CAMELS AT AL-SHAHANIYA
If you've come to the Middle East hoping to see camels, then there's one place guaranteed to find them. At Al-
Shahaniya, 60km west of Doha along the Dukhan Rd, camels roam freely around the desert or you can see them
being exercised before the famous local
camel races
.
Camel races (known as the 'sport of sheikhs'), can be seen from a purpose-built stadium. If you have a car - a
4WD is not necessary - it's fun to drive along the 8km racetrack during the race. It can be quite an event, as fe-
male camels can maintain a speed of 40km/h for an entire hour, and are often better at keeping in their lane than
the motorists. Check the English-language daily newspapers for race times or contact a tour company, most of
which organise trips to the races during the season (October to May).
It's easy to spot the stadium, as long before it comes into view the approach is marked by 5km of stables, exer-
cise areas, lodgings for the trainers and breeders, and all the other facilities required of a multimillion-dollar
sport, not to mention a national passion befitting Qatar's Bedouin origins.
