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Some travel memories stay with you because of the famous places you visit. Others stay because of something completely unexpected.

When we traveled through Israel, I expected to stand where history happened. I expected breathtaking landscapes, ancient ruins, and unforgettable meals. What I never expected was that one of my favorite memories of the entire trip would be riding a camel that seemed determined to sing its way through the Judean Desert.

It was one of those wonderfully strange travel moments that no itinerary could have planned.

Camel Ride at Genesis Land

1. Arriving at Genesis Land
2. Apparently Matilda Didn’t Like Me
3. Making Peace With Margot
4. Learning How to Ride a Camel
5. Lunch in the Desert
6. The Camel Who Sings
7. Saying Goodbye
8. Is Genesis Land Worth Visiting?
9. FAQ: Camel Ride at Genesis Land

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Arriving at Genesis Land

After spending the previous couple of weeks exploring Israel, our group made our way to Genesis Land, located near the Dead Sea. The experience is designed to give visitors a glimpse into life during the time of the patriarchs, and part of that experience included traveling by camel down into the valley for lunch.

Before meeting the camels, we were each given long robes to wear over our clothes. They were admittedly a little campy, but everyone embraced the experience with good humor. Once everyone was dressed, we headed outside where a long line of camels patiently waited for their next group of travelers.

Or at least, most of them waited patiently.

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Apparently Matilda Didn’t Like Me

Mark and I were assigned to a camel named Matilda.

Mark climbed on first and settled into the back seat. As I walked around to climb on, Matilda immediately swung her head toward me and let out the loudest, angriest horn-like sound I had ever heard.

I froze. Maybe I had done something wrong?

The handlers laughed and suggested I try approaching from the other side instead. So I did. Same result. Another loud protest directly at me.

One of the handlers looked genuinely puzzled. “She’s never like this. I wonder what has gotten into her.”

Well…that certainly boosted my confidence. After another unsuccessful attempt, they decided Matilda should probably skip this ride altogether.

Apparently she had made her opinion of me perfectly clear.

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Making Peace With Margot

Instead, they brought over another camel named Margot.

This time I approached much more cautiously, holding my hand out so she could sniff it first. I figured if camels were anything like horses or dogs, maybe she could tell that despite whatever rumors Matilda had started, I came in peace.

One of the guys in our group, who had already admitted he was nervous about riding camels, called out, “Don’t do it! That camel’s going to bite you…or spit on you at the very least!”

Fortunately, Margot had no interest in either. Instead, she gently nuzzled my hand as if accepting my peace offering. I decided we were going to get along just fine.

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Learning How to Ride a Camel

This time I climbed on first, and Mark settled in behind me.

The handlers gave us one important instruction: “Lean back and hold on tight.” A moment later I understood why.

If you’ve never ridden a camel before, don’t be surprised by how awkward it feels when they stand. The handlers warned us to lean back, and I thought it sounded simple enough—until the camel suddenly stood on its back legs first. For a brief moment I wondered if I was about to tumble right over its head before settling into the rhythm of the ride.

Once everyone was upright, the camels shuffled around trying to decide who would lead the caravan before finally making their way down the dusty desert trail.

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Lunch in the Desert

At the bottom of the trail we arrived at a large Bedouin-style tent where lunch was waiting.

We sat together on cushions surrounding long tables while looking out across the desert landscape. As we ate, our guides talked about life in biblical times and what daily life might have looked like for the people who once traveled these same hills.

The meal was served family-style on large platters, and to this day I still remember it as one of the best meals we enjoyed during our entire trip to Israel.

Eventually, though, it was time to climb back up the hill and that’s when I met Honey.

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The Camel Who Sings

The return trip paired me with Nick, the same friend who had warned me earlier that I was probably about to be bitten.

This time our camel was named Honey, and unlike Matilda, Honey lived up to her name. She was sweet, she was patient, she also happened to be leading the entire camel caravan.

There was just one small problem-Honey loved to snack. Every few feet she would stop to nibble on desert brush growing alongside the trail. Each time she lowered her head, Nick panicked behind me. “We’re stopping again!”

Soon the rest of the camels decided that if the leader was taking snack breaks, they probably should too. Progress back up the hill became…unhurried.

But then Honey did something that completely won me over. She started making these soft humming sounds as she walked. Every so often the humming would be interrupted by little “mah” noises, almost like she was keeping time to her own rhythm.

I leaned forward and quietly asked, “Honey…are you singing?” She tossed her head, answered with another enthusiastic “mah,” and kept right on humming. At that point I couldn’t resist and I started singing “Yippee-I-O-Ki-Yay” like an old cowboy riding across the range.

Honey hummed. I sang. Honey added another “mah.” Together we made our way slowly up the trail, pausing every so often for another bite of brush before continuing our little desert duet.

It remains one of the strangest—and happiest—travel memories I’ve ever had.

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Saying Goodbye

Too soon we reached the top of the hill. Nick climbed off as quickly as possible, relieved that his camel adventure was over.

I wasn’t nearly as eager. I gave Honey one last gentle pat on the neck before crouching down for a picture together. She looked straight toward the camera, tossed her head, and gave one last contented hum.

I’d like to think it was her way of saying goodbye.

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Is Genesis Land Worth Visiting?

Absolutely.

Even if you’ve never ridden a camel before, Genesis Land offers much more than a simple camel ride. The experience combines history, storytelling, beautiful desert scenery, and a traditional meal into one memorable outing. While I loved learning about the historical setting, it was the unexpected moments—meeting Honey and our musical ride through the desert—that made the visit unforgettable.

If you’re looking for something beyond museums and historic sites, Genesis Land offers one of the most unique experiences we had during our time in Israel.

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FAQ: Camel Ride at Genesis Land

• Where is Genesis Land?

Genesis Land is located near the Dead Sea in Israel and recreates aspects of life during biblical times through camel rides, traditional meals, and cultural experiences.

• Is riding a camel difficult?

Not really. The trickiest part is when the camel stands up and sits down, as you’ll feel yourself tipped forward and backward. Once you’re moving, the ride is slow and gentle.

• Is Genesis Land family friendly?

Yes. Families, school groups, and organized tours frequently visit Genesis Land. Children should always follow the handlers’ instructions while riding.

• How long does the experience take?

Most visits last around two to three hours, including the camel ride, lunch, and cultural presentation.

• Was the camel really singing?

Well…She was definitely humming. Whether Honey was actually singing or simply making happy camel noises is up for debate- but I’ll always believe she was singing our way through the desert.

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When people ask about traveling in Israel, they often expect stories about famous landmarks, ancient history, or incredible archaeological sites.

Those memories are certainly part of the trip.

But years later, one of the moments I remember most vividly is a camel named Honey who couldn’t resist stopping for snacks and seemed to sing her way through the Judean Desert.

Travel has a wonderful way of surprising us like that.

The moments we expect to remember aren’t always the ones that stay with us. Sometimes it’s the unexpected detours, the funny stories, and the unlikely companions that leave the deepest impression.

And somewhere in my memory, Honey is probably still humming her way up that dusty desert trail while I happily sing along.

Thanks for coming along on this camel ride at Genesis Land in Israel. May you find songs in the desert and plenty of snacks on the trail.

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Follow along for more adventures near and far!

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