WHEN most of us hear or think about camels, our minds immediately travel to the Middle East, a place we know to be a haven for them.

We almost never think, the Caribbean, South or North America, much less to process little Jamaica where a tourist attraction, Yaaman Adventure Tour, located in Prospect, St Mary, maintains camels as part of its tour package.

Formerly known as Prospect Plantation Outback Adventure, Yaaman Adventure Tour covers approximately 900 acres of land, offering visitors experiences unlikely to be had anywhere else in the country.

Tour guide at the attraction Donovan Scott informs that the most sought after mode of transportation for the tour is to ride one three endearing camels, though visitors also have the option to tour by tractor, buggy or horse.

The camels — Moses, Cindy and Riaata — are not only friendly, but also lovely to pet or ride.

Scott, one of two caretakers for the cud chewers, told the Jamaica Observer North East, on a recent visit to the facility, that the animals can adapt to any environment they find themselves in.

The tour includes stops at many exciting spots to satiate the adventure seekers’ yearnings.

David Calderon, an adventure seeker from Peru in South America, was in Jamaica for the first time and decided to stop by Yaaman.

“I’m in love with Jamaica. I’m coming back to Jamaica. I love the camels,” Calderon said with excitement.

Although the tour started in 1974, Scott said the rich heritage of the estate goes back to the days of plantation society.

He explained that before it became an adventure park, Prospect Plantation, as it is formerly known, changed ownership three times.

It was first owned by Francis Dennis, but sometime later it came into the ownership of two siblings he referred to as the Walters brothers. It’s most prominent owner, though, was Sir Harold Mitchell, he said.

According to him, Mitchell was a wealthy Scottish man who settled in Jamaica and bought the property for leisure.

From the numerous economic activities that take place on the property, including the planting of trees — for which donations have to be made before planting — contributions are made to the school located on the premises to ensure its continuation, as per Mitchell’s wishes.

The experience of Yaaman Adventure Tour and the once Prospect Plantation property are simply unforgettable. With the features of the property, the history behind it, and the history that is created after each visit, one is sure to find Yaaman quite memorable.