Al-Lisaili Race Track

Camel racing is not only a popular spectator sport but deeply rooted in the Emirati soul and originally practised only at weddings and special events. These days it’s big business, with races held between October and early April. There’s no fixed schedule, although there usually seems to be a two- or three-hour session starting around 7am on Fridays. Check the newspapers or call ahead before you drive an hour out of town. Watching these mighty animals race at speeds of up to 60km/h is an amazing sight. If you can’t make it to a racing session, you can usually catch training sessions in the afternoon, and these are also a great experience. The sheer number of camels is shocking. Bring your camera.