At Hommes et Montagnes, we have undoubtedly built a unique body of knowledge and expertise in organizing this singular form of travel that is the mehara. It is important not to confuse mehara with camel trekking. Camel trekking is done on foot, with pack camels. Let us be clear: we are speaking of mehara in its most noble and authentic sense. Riding a camel, as traditional caravaners do, is for us an approach that allows us to help perpetuate ancestral knowledge, skills and routes. For often, in a number of countries, vehicles, rising living standards, and the pursuit of comfort—as with us—have swept away all the techniques and practices specific to these traditional trades.

Preservation of traditional crafts

Our mission is also to encourage and give meaning to these professions on the verge of disappearing and to generate economic viability for nomads and/or camelid herders through our tourism-focused caravans! If we need a camel caravan, then we must have a mehara guide, camel drivers, riding camels, pack camels. We must also know how to pack camels, saddle them, know how to train riding and pack camels, understand the terrain and routes, know the best pastures, understand the plants and nomadic territories. Additionally, in an ancillary way, blacksmiths must continue to craft saddles and packs; camels must be very properly maintained. Mehara preserves a traditional activity and requires a team of experienced, highly attentive specialists. The goal is also to remain aligned with the original identity of our caravaners without "encouraging" a different way of life (urban, Western lifestyle, or—current temptation—Gulf nations).

What is a mehara?

Mehara – definition: The term mehara is used to describe the act of traveling on a camel, seated on a saddle designed for this purpose. The "rider" is then called a meharист. The composition of the caravan, the relationship with the camel drivers making up the team, the bond that forms with "your" animal, the joyful gaze of nomads encountered on the trail—all this makes this way of traveling a bundle of unique and rare experiences. The cohesion and complicity between the caravaners and the animals also makes this mode of travel an extraordinary human adventure.

How does a mehara unfold?

Mehara allows you to alternate between riding and walking. Whether an introductory or extended journey, it is customary to walk on foot at the beginning of the day so that the animal warms up. After about an hour or so, the meharист takes a seat on the saddle. It is then pleasant to complete part of the journey perched up high, eyes taking in the landscape and ears attuned to sounds or silence. However, all delicate passages are done on foot. The camel is easy to mount and guide. It does not have a rapid pace and can be followed on foot without difficulty. Yet it is true that, since it tires less than the walker, it can pull ahead on flat, sandy terrain. During the mehara, each person has a riding camel, which they mount when the terrain permits. The caravan is also composed of pack camels essential for transporting baggage. Today, in certain countries, the use of a support vehicle has emerged. It is often imposed upon us by local authorities or our partners because caravan practices had completely disappeared. This use, which we attempt to manage carefully, must be as discreet as possible so as not to distort the philosophy of these mehara journeys.

What you should know

• At the beginning and throughout the entire mehara, the meharист must never mount or dismount from their camel alone. The camel drivers will always be there to help and advise.

• Experience has taught us that many novice meharists would like to mount and dismount from their camel without the camel drivers' help, to direct it somewhat independently from the caravan, to make it trot or even gallop.

• The camel drivers fear that the rider will fall and be injured. They would be very upset for you, but would also risk suffering a loss in their employment. For safety purposes, they closely monitor the unconfirmed meharист and feel responsible for them.

• In case of serious injury, it is also important to know that transporting an injured person is often complex; medical centers are distant and difficult to reach.

• For the camel drivers, camels and saddles represent genuine capital. Therefore, they take care to ensure the animal is not injured and/or the saddle broken.

• After a few days, the meharист has the impression of getting along well with their mount. Know that the camel can have unexpected reactions to, for example, an unusual noise, an unfamiliar object, a sudden movement at its side, another camel running, etc.

• Taken individually, a camel often does not behave the same way as it does in a group. For instance, left behind the caravan, it will rise very abruptly at the moment you mount it, whereas normally it does so smoothly. It is because it is eager to rejoin the others, and the meharист is very likely to end up on the ground! Falls can be dangerous given the animal's height and the rocky nature of the terrain.

• The camel, raised in a herd, does not like to differ from the others. Why run, turn right, turn left, slow down, stay behind, when the others are following the caravan? They are accustomed to staying together and maintaining the ordinary pace, which is a walk.

To learn all about the geographical distribution of camel saddles, you should visit the ethno-selles blog article.