---
title: "Camel Racing in Wadi Rum"
url: "https://wowjordan.com/en/2024/02/19/camel-racing-in-wadi-rum/"
markdown_url: "https://wowjordan.com/en/2024/02/19/camel-racing-in-wadi-rum.md"
type: "post"
date_published: "2024-02-19T14:03:14+00:00"
date_modified: "2026-01-31T07:35:38+00:00"
language: "en-US"
renderer_version: "3"
---

# Camel Racing in Wadi Rum

## Content

# Camel Racing in Wadi Rum: Your 2026 Guide to Desert Races & Camel Riding Adventures

Updated November 2025

Stand on the edge of the red sand at dawn and listen: engines hum softly in the distance, camels snort and shuffle at the starting line, and Bedouin men in white dishdashas call out to one another over the loudspeakers. Then, with a burst of dust, the camels surge forward across Jordan’s most famous desert.

Welcome to **camel racing in Wadi Rum** in 2026 – where an ancient Bedouin tradition meets a very modern Jordan, complete with robot jockeys, big desert festivals, and camel tours for every kind of traveler.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know: what camel racing actually looks like in Wadi Rum today, when and where races happen, how to watch them respectfully, and how to combine a race day with **camel riding in Wadi Rum**, jeep tours, and an overnight in a desert camp.

Find here [camps in wadi rum](#camps) for advance planning

## What Is Camel Racing in Wadi Rum?

Camel racing is a traditional Gulf and Bedouin sport, and Wadi Rum – with its wide sandy plains and long, flat valleys – is a perfect natural arena.

In **Wadi Rum and the nearby Disi (Al-Disah) area**, races take place on long desert tracks, often several kilometers in length, with camels running side by side at surprising speed – up to around 60–65 km/h in professional races. [Wadi Rum Nomads+1](https://www.wadirumnomads.com/wadi-rum-camel-racing/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

For visitors, a race day typically means:

- A purpose-built **camel race track** near Disi, about 20–30 minutes’ drive from Wadi Rum village
- Lines of camels grouped by age and category
- Pickups and 4x4s driving parallel to the camels outside the track, following the race
- Loudspeakers, cheering crowds, and a very local, very authentic atmosphere

Camel racing isn’t a daily tourist show. It’s a **real sport**, deeply tied to Bedouin life in southern Jordan. When you catch a race, you’re seeing something locals care about – not just a performance for visitors.

## Bedouin Culture & the Story Behind Camel Racing

Long before jeeps and paved roads, camels were the original “4×4” of Wadi Rum. They carried families between grazing lands, transported goods across the desert, and were a sign of wealth and pride.

Historically, tribes used friendly races to:

- Show off the **strength and speed** of their camels
- Celebrate weddings, tribal gatherings, and major religious holidays
- Train young men in handling and caring for camels

Over time, simple informal races grew into organized events with:

- **Prize camels and trophies**
- Tribal sponsorship and support
- Official committees like the Jordan Camel Racing Committee helping regulate and promote the sport [Jordan Group Tours+1](https://www.jordangrouptours.com/tourism-news/the-seventh-camel-race-at-wadi-rum?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

Today, when you watch camel racing in Wadi Rum, you’re seeing **living Bedouin culture** – not something frozen in a museum, but a tradition that keeps evolving.

## Modern Camel Racing: Robot Jockeys, Festivals & Big Events

If you imagine tiny boy jockeys balancing on the camels’ backs, that’s now mostly history. Across the region, including Jordan, **robot jockeys** have largely replaced child riders for ethical and safety reasons. [Wow Jordan](https://wowjordan.com/en/2024/02/19/camel-racing-in-wadi-rum/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

These small, remote-controlled devices are strapped to the camel’s back. Trainers drive alongside the track in 4x4s, operating the robots and encouraging their camels while staying outside the racing lane.

### Major Camel Racing Festivals Near Wadi Rum

In recent years, camel racing in Wadi Rum and Disi has been shaped by big annual festivals, often under royal patronage:

- **Jordan Camel Racing & Nabati Poetry Festival** – Held in the Al Disi area near Wadi Rum, recent editions have combined camel races, an **Arab Camel Racing Cup**, a camel beauty contest (Mazayin), Nabati poetry, and traditional performances. [calendar.jo+1](https://calendar.jo/events/8033/jordan-camel-racing?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
- Earlier **Sheikh Zayed Camel Race festivals** in Wadi Rum also helped revive the sport, bringing together hundreds of camels and racers from different tribes. [Wadi Rum Nomads+1](https://www.wadirumnomads.com/wadi-rum-camel-racing/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

By 2026, it’s reasonable to expect these camel festivals to **continue as annual or regular events**, usually in the cooler months (often around October–November). Exact dates change each year, so always:

- Check official event calendars like **calendar.jo** or
- Ask your **Wadi Rum desert camp** or Jordan tour operator to confirm race dates closer to your travel time. [calendar.jo+1](https://calendar.jo/events/8033/jordan-camel-racing?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

## When Is Camel Racing Season in Wadi Rum?

Camel races and festivals typically align with **the best weather in Wadi Rum** – when it’s cool enough for both humans and camels to be active.

Most desert and race events are concentrated in:

- **High season:** **October to April**

- Mild days, cool nights, great for outdoor events and desert activities [wadirumecotours.com+1](https://wadirumecotours.com/news/exploring-wadi-rum-an-in-depth-guide-to-its-weather-and-seasons?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
- **Peak race & festival months:**

- Often **October–November** and **March–April**, when temperatures are especially pleasant and crowds are higher

Summer (June–August) can see temperatures above 35–40°C, which is simply too hot for comfortable race days and long outdoor stays. [Wadi Tribe+1](https://waditribe.com/2025/04/08/best-time-to-visit-wadi-rum/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

**Good rule for 2026:**
If you want the best chance to combine camel racing, camel riding, and stargazing, aim for **late October to early April**, and try to travel mid-week or outside major holiday peaks for fewer crowds.

## Where Do Camel Races Happen?

Most organized camel races linked to Wadi Rum are held at or near:

### 1. Disi (Al-Disah) Camel Race Track

- Located in the **Disi / Al-Disah area** north of the Wadi Rum Protected Area
- Purpose-built track used for major festivals and race events
- Accessible by 4×4 from Wadi Rum village and from nearby camps [Wadi Rum Nomads+1](https://www.wadirumnomads.com/wadi-rum-camel-racing/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

### 2. Local Desert Plains Around Wadi Rum

Smaller or more informal races and training sessions can still happen:

- On open sandy plains
- Along wide wadis away from main tourist viewpoints

These are **less predictable** and usually known only to local Bedouin families and guides.

For 2026 travelers, the easiest way to see a race is to:

- Ask your **Wadi Rum desert camp** or
- Have **Wow Jordan** or another local operator check current event dates and arrange transport to the track.

## How Visitors Can Watch a Camel Race (Respectfully)

Seeing camel racing in person is one of the most memorable **things to do in Wadi Rum**, but it’s not like going to an assigned seat in a stadium. Think more along the lines of a big open-air village gathering.

### Practical Tips

- **Go with a guide or camp host**
They’ll know the route, the timing, and where it’s safe to stand or drive.
- **Arrive early**
Races can start in the **early morning** (to avoid heat) or late afternoon. Plan to arrive 30–60 minutes before the first race.
- **Stay outside the track**
Never walk or drive onto the racing lane. Only officials and camel handlers belong there.
- **Expect a lot of dust**
The combination of 4x4s + camels + sand = dust clouds. Sunglasses and a scarf or buff are handy.

### Cultural Etiquette

- **Dress modestly**
Light, loose clothing that covers shoulders and knees is respectful and also protects you from the sun.
- **Ask before taking close-up photos of people**
Wide-angle shots of the track are fine; always ask if you want a portrait.
- **Be curious, but polite**
Many locals are happy to explain things if you greet them, smile, and show genuine interest.

## Camel Riding & Wadi Rum Camel Tours in 2026

Even if your dates don’t line up with a race, you can still experience the desert like a Bedouin by booking a **Wadi Rum camel tour**.

### Typical Camel Ride Options

Based on current tour offerings in Wadi Rum: [wadirumdaytours.com+3Real Bedouin Experience Tours & Camp+3Wadi Rum Excursions+3](https://www.wadirum-jordan.com/camel-rides.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

- **Short rides (30–60 minutes)**

- Great for families and first-timers
- Often cost around **10–20 JOD per person**
- Popular at sunrise or sunset
- **2–3 hour camel rides**

- Reach classic spots like Lawrence’s Spring, sand dunes, or small arches
- Expect roughly **20–35 JOD per person**
- **Half-day or full-day camel treks**

- Include lunch, tea breaks, and longer routes deeper into the desert
- Prices usually range from **45–80+ JOD per person**, depending on group size and inclusions
- **Multi-day camel treks with overnight camp**

- Higher budget, but a fantastic way to feel the “old desert rhythm”

Prices vary by operator, group size, and what’s included (meals, jeep transfers, camp stay), and they may shift slightly by 2026 – use these as **rough ranges**, not fixed quotes.

You’ll see plenty of spelling variations online – **camel riding Wadi Rum**, **camel ridding Wadi Rum**, “camel tours Wadi Rum” – but they all lead to the same experience: moving slowly through the desert on the back of a surprisingly calm animal, listening to nothing but wind and soft hoofsteps on the sand.

## What to Wear & Bring for Camel Racing and Camel Riding

For both race days and camel tours, pack for **sun, sand, and temperature changes**:

**Clothing**

- Light, breathable long-sleeve shirt
- Loose trousers or long skirt
- Hat with a brim or scarf/keffiyeh for sun and dust
- Light jacket or fleece for evenings (even in high season, nights can be cool) [Wadi Rum Desert Eyes+1](https://wadirumdeserteyes.com/blog/best-time-to-visit-wadi-rum?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

**Essentials**

- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen and lip balm
- Refillable water bottle
- Closed shoes or sturdy sandals (flip-flops are not ideal for camels or sand)
- Small daypack for camera, phone, and snacks

## Suggested Wadi Rum Itinerary: Camel Racing, Camel Riding & Desert Camp

If you’re planning Jordan for 2026 and want to squeeze the most from Wadi Rum in 24–48 hours, here’s a flexible outline:

### Day 1 – Arrival & Camel Ride

- Arrive in Wadi Rum by late morning or early afternoon
- Drop your bags at your **Wadi Rum desert camp**
- Take a **1–2 hour camel riding experience** near sunset – perfect introduction to the desert
- Dinner at the camp (often a traditional **zarb** barbecue cooked in an underground oven) and **stargazing** under some of Jordan’s clearest skies [Condé Nast Traveler](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/a-guide-to-stargazing-in-wadi-rum-jordans-dark-sky-enclave?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

### Day 2 – Jeep Tour & Camel Racing (If in Season)

- Early breakfast
- **Jeep tour** to iconic sites (Lawrence’s Spring, sand dunes, canyons, viewpoints)
- If your visit coincides with a race or festival:

- Your camp or tour operator can drive you to the **Disi camel race track** to catch one or more races
- Return to camp or head onward to Petra or Aqaba in the afternoon

If there’s no race during your dates, trade that time for:

- A longer **camel trek**,
- A short hike to a viewpoint, or
- Extra time relaxing at the camp.

## Find Camps in Wadi Rum

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[![Captain’s Desert Camp -Wadi Rum](https://wowjordan.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/captains-desert-camp-wadi-rum-1-520x397.jpg)![Captain’s Desert Camp -Wadi Rum](https://wowjordan.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/captains-desert-camp-wadi-rum-2-520x397.jpg)![Captain’s Desert Camp -Wadi Rum](https://wowjordan.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/captains-desert-camp-wadi-rum-3-520x397.jpg)](https://wowjordan.com/en/listing/captains-desert-camp-wadi-rum/)

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Camps

  [## Captain’s Desert Camp -Wadi Rum

Ad-disi, قرية وادي رم, Jordan

** ** ** ** **

4.2 (670)](https://wowjordan.com/en/listing/captains-desert-camp-wadi-rum/)

[![Aqaba to Wadi Rum transfer, dinner in wadi rum](https://wowjordan.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/wadi-rum-desert-1-520x397.jpg)](https://wowjordan.com/en/listing/wadi-rum-desert/)

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Camps

  [## Wadi Rum Desert

Wadi Rum Village, Jordan

** 24/7 Security

** Activities

** ** ** ** **

4.9 (285)](https://wowjordan.com/en/listing/wadi-rum-desert/)

[![SINAM](https://wowjordan.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/sinam-1-520x397.jpg)](https://wowjordan.com/en/listing/sinam/)

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Camps

  [## SINAM

Wadi Rum, Wadirum, Jordan

** 24/7 Security

** Activities

** ** ** ** **

4.5 (499)](https://wowjordan.com/en/listing/sinam/)

[![Desert Magic Camp & Resort](https://wowjordan.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/desert-magic-camp-resort-1-520x397.jpg)](https://wowjordan.com/en/listing/desert-magic-camp-resort/)

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Camps

  [## Desert Magic Camp & Resort

Wadi Rum Village, Jordan

** 24/7 Security

** Activities

** ** ** ** **

4.7 (451)](https://wowjordan.com/en/listing/desert-magic-camp-resort/)

[![Wadi Rum Travel Camp](https://wowjordan.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/wadi-rum-travel-camp-1-520x397.jpg)](https://wowjordan.com/en/listing/wadi-rum-travel-camp/)

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Camps

  [## Wadi Rum Travel Camp

Wadi Rum Village, Jordan

** 24/7 Security

** Activities

** ** ** ** **

4.7 (78)](https://wowjordan.com/en/listing/wadi-rum-travel-camp/)

[![Arabian Nights Bedouin Camp](https://wowjordan.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/arabian-nights-bedouin-camp-1-520x397.jpg)](https://wowjordan.com/en/listing/arabian-nights-bedouin-camp/)

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Camps

  [## Arabian Nights Bedouin Camp

Wadi Rum Protected Area Wadi Rum Village، Jordan

** 24/7 Security

** Activities

** ** ** ** **

4.8 (178)](https://wowjordan.com/en/listing/arabian-nights-bedouin-camp/)

[![Bedouin Host Camp With Tour](https://wowjordan.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/bedouin-host-camp-with-tour-1-520x397.jpg)](https://wowjordan.com/en/listing/bedouin-host-camp-with-tour/)

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Camps

  [## Bedouin Host Camp With Tour

وادي رم، 77110, Jordan

** 24/7 Security

** Activities

** ** ** ** **

5.0 (105)](https://wowjordan.com/en/listing/bedouin-host-camp-with-tour/)

[![Panorama Wadi Rum](https://wowjordan.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/panorama-wadi-rum-1-520x397.jpg)](https://wowjordan.com/en/listing/panorama-wadi-rum/)

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Camps

  [## Panorama Wadi Rum

Unnamed Road, Wadi Rum Village, Jordan

** 24/7 Security

** Activities

** ** ** ** **

4.7 (380)](https://wowjordan.com/en/listing/panorama-wadi-rum/)

[![Rum Stars camp](https://wowjordan.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/rum-stars-camp-1-520x397.jpg)](https://wowjordan.com/en/listing/rum-stars-camp/)

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Camps

  [## Rum Stars camp

Rum Stars Camp, Wadi Rum Village, Jordan

** 24/7 Security

** Activities

** ** ** ** **

4.8 (257)](https://wowjordan.com/en/listing/rum-stars-camp/)

[![Wadi Rum Protected Area Camp](https://wowjordan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/import-556-520x397.jpg)](https://wowjordan.com/en/listing/wadi-rum-protected-area-camp/)

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Camps

  [## Wadi Rum Protected Area Camp

Wadi Rum، العقبة، Jordan

** ** ** ** **

5.0 (34)](https://wowjordan.com/en/listing/wadi-rum-protected-area-camp/)

[![Wadi Rum Bedouin Tour With A Camp](https://wowjordan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/import-555-520x397.jpg)](https://wowjordan.com/en/listing/wadi-rum-bedouin-tour-with-a-camp/)

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Camps

  [## Wadi Rum Bedouin Tour With A Camp

F9MW+VXR, Wadi Rum Village 77110, Jordan

** ** ** ** **

4.9 (160)](https://wowjordan.com/en/listing/wadi-rum-bedouin-tour-with-a-camp/)

[![Rum jordan camp and tours](https://wowjordan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/import-554-520x397.jpg)](https://wowjordan.com/en/listing/rum-jordan-camp-and-tours/)

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Camps

  [## Rum jordan camp and tours

محمية وادي رم، Aqaba, Jordan

** ** ** ** **

4.7 (32)](https://wowjordan.com/en/listing/rum-jordan-camp-and-tours/)

[![BubbleRum Camp](https://wowjordan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/import-553-520x397.jpg)](https://wowjordan.com/en/listing/bubblerum-camp/)

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Camps

  [## BubbleRum Camp

JGQ5+W9, Disah, Jordan

** ** ** ** **

4.8 (63)](https://wowjordan.com/en/listing/bubblerum-camp/)

[![Jamal Rum camp](https://wowjordan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/import-552-520x397.jpg)](https://wowjordan.com/en/listing/jamal-rum-camp/)

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Camps

  [## Jamal Rum camp

وادي, Wadi Rum Village 77110, Jordan

** ** ** ** **

4.4 (494)](https://wowjordan.com/en/listing/jamal-rum-camp/)

[![Jabal Rum Camp](https://wowjordan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/import-551-520x397.jpg)](https://wowjordan.com/en/listing/jabal-rum-camp/)

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Camps

  [## Jabal Rum Camp

Wadi، Wadi Rum Village 77100, Jordan

** ** ** ** **

4.4 (321)](https://wowjordan.com/en/listing/jabal-rum-camp/)

[![Atlantis Rum Camp](https://wowjordan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/import-550-520x397.jpg)](https://wowjordan.com/en/listing/atlantis-rum-camp/)

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Camps

  [## Atlantis Rum Camp

Wadi Rum Village Wadi Rum, Jordan

** ** ** ** **

4.8 (29)](https://wowjordan.com/en/listing/atlantis-rum-camp/)

[![Wadi Rum Camp](https://wowjordan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/import-549-520x397.jpg)](https://wowjordan.com/en/listing/wadi-rum-camp/)

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Camps

  [## Wadi Rum Camp

Wadi Rum Protected Area, Wadi Rum Village 77110, Jordan

** ** ** ** **

4.0 (39)](https://wowjordan.com/en/listing/wadi-rum-camp/)

[![Bedouin future camp](https://wowjordan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/import-548-520x397.jpg)](https://wowjordan.com/en/listing/bedouin-future-camp/)

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Camps

  [## Bedouin future camp

King Talal School Rum، Wadi Rum Village, Jordan

** ** ** ** **

5.0 (10)](https://wowjordan.com/en/listing/bedouin-future-camp/)

## Classification

- **Category:** Attractions, destination
- **Tag:** camel racing, jordan, petra, wadi rum

## Images

![](https://wowjordan.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Camel_Racing_Wadi_Rum_Jordan.jpg)