The Maralal International Camel Derby, held annually in the northern Kenyan town of Maralal, is exactly what it sounds like: a genuinely quirky race in which local herders, tourists and international amateur competitors race camels — animals not naturally built for speed or eager cooperation — across the surrounding semi-arid terrain, with predictably chaotic and entertaining results.
Beyond the racing itself, the event has grown into a broader cultural festival celebrating Samburu culture and the pastoralist camel-herding traditions of Kenya's north, with associated events, music and community participation extending well beyond the race itself.
Attending the derby
- The event is typically held in August each year — confirm current dates in advance.
- Both amateur and professional categories exist; tourists are genuinely welcome to enter the amateur race.
- Maralal itself is a remote northern town, requiring proper travel planning to reach.
- The associated cultural festivities offer good insight into Samburu and broader northern Kenyan pastoralist culture.
For travellers wanting something genuinely offbeat and far from the standard safari circuit, the Maralal Camel Derby delivers an experience unlike anything else in Kenya.
