My first camel ride

My camel ride was supposed to take place on Saturday 28, August 2010, but due to the rain I was not able to go. So I postponed my adventure to the day after (Sunday) hoping and praying that it would not rain- thankfully it didn’t.

With Sunday’s weather being nothing short of a beautiful day, I was eager to experience my first camel ride at the Imhoff Farm in Kommetjie. It is the only place in the south of Cape Town where you can ride camels.

The three camels were sitting on my right as I pulled into the entrance of the Imhoff Farm, as if they were patiently waiting for me. The mere sight of them got me all excited and nervous as I have never seen a real camel before. I didn’t realise that they were so big. I hesitantly walked up to where they were sitting in a sand pit enjoying their breakfast.

An overwhelming feeling of anxiety rushed over me as I approached them, hoping they wouldn’t bite me. The riding instructor was quick to r assure me that the camels are very passive creatures and they do not bite. They tend to make a sound similar to the sound of a donkey, but hearing them make a noise would frighten even the bravest. This is their way of communicating with each other.

I was told to hold onto the front and back rears because as these gentle giants rise you are automatically tipped forward. At the same time you need to push yourself back otherwise you will head-first in the sand. As Izak slowly rose I felt my tummy flop, almost like you are riding in a car and you go fast over a hill- it’s that exact feeling. But after being tipped forward the ride is pretty enjoyable if your camel co-operates, which mine didn’t- would be me to get a stubborn camel.

It was suppose to be a 25 minute ride in the nearby forest but Izak thought that 10 minutes was more than enough and he just wouldn’t go any further. I didn’t even get to go into the forest; I only did two lapse of the same, yet very short route.

But nonetheless the experience of riding a camel for the first time is something that I will always remember. Even though Izak was a little stubborn, it definitely made the experience worthwhile.
Camel riding certainly has nothing on horse riding and if you think it does then I suggest that you try this one out.