Al Wathba Camel Race Track
A camel racing track where owners drive alongside the animals and robot jockeys ride, part of a UNESCO tradition.
Updated 2 September 2026
UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage
Racing at Al Wathba runs through the cool months, usually early in the morning, and the format is unlike any other race meeting: small robot jockeys strapped to the humps are worked by remote control while the owners drive along a parallel track beside the racing camels, shouting instructions and operating the whips by radio. Camel racing as a social practice and festive heritage was inscribed by UNESCO in 2020, in a nomination shared with Oman.
The main sights
- The robot jockeys - remote-controlled riders that replaced child jockeys.
- The parallel road - owners driving alongside the track and controlling the robots by radio.
- The morning meetings - races run early in the day through the cool season.
- The camel market - trading and equipment stalls around the track.
When to go
October to April is the racing season and meetings are usually early in the morning. Major festivals fall in the winter months. There is no racing through the summer.
Good to know
Race times are early and schedules are not well published in English. There is no formal spectator provision and visitors watch from the edges. Nothing happens here outside the season.
Nearby
Al Wathba Wetland Reserve is west, and the fossil dunes are east.
What to pack for Al Wathba Camel Race Track
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Loose, light, long clothing - Covering up beats bare skin in the desert - and locals dress this way for a reason. Find on Amazon
- Comfortable walking shoes - Sightseeing means kilometres of pavement and cobbles daily. Find on Amazon
- A wide-brim hat + sunglasses - Shade for your face and eyes where there is none overhead. Find on Amazon
- A slim anti-theft daypack - Zips that close properly; keep it in front in crowds and on transit. Find on Amazon
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Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.