Camel safaris come to East Tennessee

At first, Circle G Ranch looks like any other farm.

But in addition to chickens, you'll see donkeys and zebras -- animals you normally find in a zoo.

In fact, 21 camels call this Sevier County barn home.

They come from Australia and the circus, but the youngest one was bred and born right here. The week-old is curious and gently rubs up against anyone who comes nearby.

Matt Michel cares for his camels much like they're cows or horses.

"Camels have a bad reputation," Michel explains. "People hear they spit, they kick, they're mean and they're really not. It's like everything else, if you treat them good, they'll treat you good."

Still, riding camels is a little different from horseback riding. It's also a little more exotic.

"You're a little bit higher," Michel says. "We always tell people it gives them more time to think about how they're going to land.

"It's fun, it's different, it's exciting," Michel explains. "It's an adventure."

Michel's camels have been acting in Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede and Christmas Nativity Scenes for years.

The camels have also been giving kids rides at the Knoxville Zoo for nine years. The biggest complaint is that the rides aren't long enough.

Now, Michel is offering camel safaris. You can spend up to an hour riding through the hills of East Tennessee.

The camels wear double saddles and amble together through the ranch's meadow and forested trails. As many as eight camels tethered together follow each other in a slow-moving, graceful line.

You can experience the area's beauty from the back of gentle giants.

"I think there's enough people out here who would like to say they rode a camel," Michel says.

Circle G ranch is charging $45 for adults and $35 for children under 18 years old.

You can go to www.ridecamels.com for more information.