JEDDAH: A British team of four endurance riders has retraced one of history’s most iconic desert crossings. They followed the path of T.E. Lawrence—famously known as Lawrence of Arabia—across Saudi Arabia and Jordan.
This extraordinary journey, inspired by Lawrence’s historic trek, significantly impacted the course of World War I. It combined endurance, history, and adventure.
“One year ago, a few of us were sitting around discussing one of the most famous camel rides in modern history. We decided on the one from Lawrence of Arabia,” said Howard Leedham, one of the riders. “No one has attempted this journey since Lawrence, Auda Abu Tayi, Nasib Al-Bakri, and Sherif Nasir did it in 1917.”
The team’s expedition closely followed the original route taken by Lawrence and his Arab allies. They started in Al-Wajh, Saudi Arabia, and crossed the vast desert towards Aqaba, Jordan. Along the way, they passed significant historical sites featured in Lawrence’s memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom.
Leedham shared: “We tried to stay as faithful to the original route as possible. We began in Al-Wajh on January 14, having collected our camels from Tabuk and the LR Defenders from the Jeddah dealership… The trek took us 25 days and we covered 1,100 kilometers.”
Leedham is no stranger to extreme desert expeditions. “I’ve crossed the UAE’s Empty Quarter twice on camels, each journey covering 640 km in 13 days. This adventure was organized by the Hamdan Heritage Center in Dubai. It’s more of a hobby for me. I run my own security company serving global clients based in the UAE.”
This unforgettable journey, rooted in history, has brought new attention to Lawrence’s remarkable feat. It has also highlighted the bond between Saudi Arabia and Jordan.
