Andrew Harper and Morgan	Expedition Leader Ingrid Elmitt amongst her colleagues	Cameleer John Wilkinson and Chewy

" I came for the swag beneath the stars and for the experience of once again being in the centre of our wide brown ancient land. The camels were the means to achieve this. I found however, that the camels were central to our trek and have so enjoyed my contact with these strong and patient animals”. Barbara Nagy, Figtree, New South Wales.

Your trek or expedition will have up to 22 dromedaries that will be your constant companions, earning your respect as they carry your food, water and equipment over the dunes and across the gibber plains.

Cameleer Cody Cunningham leads TC down a dune

Our camels are descendants of Australia’s first imported camels of 1840 and travel in a ‘string’ or caravan, with each camel tied to the one in front. When working with the camels you will be under the supervision of our experienced cameleers, so don’t be concerned if you have had no previous camel (or large animal) handling experience.

With their distinctive character, travelling with these patient and hard-working gentle giants is an unforgettable experience and you will quickly discover why these majestic animals are perfectly suited to desert trekking. Travelling with the camel string allows a closer connection with the desert and the opportunity for us to re-connect to the simplicities of life, reflecting on a bygone era of travel when the importance was perhaps the journey itself and not just arrival at the destination.

..."as the days passed, our relationship with the animals grew stronger. They had great personalities and we delighted in observing their antics...they were all individuals and we loved them".

Cameleer Sallwa Hourani gives Sang a rub down at the end of the days work

Expedition Leader Andrew Harper leads TC (Tall Camel) and the walking, lurching ships of the desert in 2009.
On average, our 20 camels will carry between 4.5 and 5 tonnes of equipment. The heaviest weight is 220 litres (220 kgs) of water plus the packsaddle.

Every winter our camels can be found working with Australian Desert Expeditions on scientific and ecological survey expeditions.
Their 2011 schedule includes a partnership with Bush Heritage Australia in the Simpson Desert, western Queensland.

Please visit www.desertexpeditions.org for more information

All photos - Andrew Harper