Birqash Camel Market: Cairo’s Most Authentic “Behind-the-Scenes” Adventure

Camels in Egypt Today: From Sacred Transport to Tourist Icon

While the Birqash market shows the raw, commercial side of the camel trade, the camel’s role in modern Egypt is far more diverse. For thousands of years, this resilient animal was the “ship of the desert”—the ultimate vehicle for trade and transport.

Today, while no longer the primary mode of transport, the camel remains a powerful and visible symbol of Egypt, existing in three main roles.

1. The “Tourist Camel”: Your Classic Pyramid Photo

This is the role you, as a visitor, are most likely to encounter. In Egypt’s most famous archaeological sites, a camel ride is a classic, “must-do” experience.

• Where to Find Them: The most iconic spot is at the Giza Pyramids. You will also find them at Saqqara, the Luxor West Bank (for a ride up to the Tombs of the Nobles or St. Simeon’s), and in Dahab for Sinai desert treks.
• The Experience: At Giza, the ride is less about “transport” and more about the photo opportunity. Riding a camel to the “Panoramic Viewpoint” to get that perfect shot of all the pyramids in a line is a memory that lasts a lifetime.

An “Egypt Fun Tours” Pro-Tip: How to Hire a Camel at Giza This is famously the #1 place where tourists can get scammed. The classic trick is to be offered a ride for a very low price, only to be charged an outrageous amount to be “let down.”

Never negotiate a ride on your own. The best and safest way to do it is through your guide. Your Egypt Fun Tours guide knows the vendors, speaks the language, and will negotiate a fair, all-inclusive price before you ever get on the animal. This turns a potentially stressful hassle into the fun, safe, and amazing experience it’s meant to be.

2. The “Working Camel”: The Traditional Side

In many rural and desert areas, the camel is still a vital work animal.

• Transport: Bedouin communities in the Sinai and desert oases still rely on camels for transporting goods (and people) across difficult terrain.
• Farming: In traditional farming areas like the Fayoum Oasis or the villages around Luxor, you can still see camels turning a saqia (a wooden water wheel) to irrigate fields or pulling plows.

3. The “Racing Camel”: A Modern (and Ancient) Sport

Many tourists are surprised to learn that camel racing is a serious, high-stakes sport in Egypt, especially among Bedouin communities. In places like Sinai, special festivals are held where these incredibly fast animals are raced for huge prizes and family honor. It’s a modern continuation of a tradition that is thousands of years old.