Dusty, noisy and pungent – Al-Ain’s famous camel market is a drive into the desert surrounding the oasis town in a remote corner of the United Arab Emirates bordering the mountains of Oman.  

Camels arrive in trucks and pickups from as far afield as Pakistan and Sudan for sale as racers, breeders or for meat and are kept in pens giving their sellers some shelter in the 40 degree desert heat.  

Camel traders engage in animated haggling over price and quality while confirming deals with distant owners (and buyers) on their mobile phones.  

The market is frenetic with activity. Sellers prepare their camels for sale, while gurgling, lustful male camels are gingerly guided towards females brought to the market for mating. Enterprising owners entice tourists to pet their wobbly-legged baby camels – for a fee.