Just curious, wouldn't camels work well over there?
I just read where camels can carry almost 1,000 lbs, thought the normal carrying weight is around 330 lbs. And their endurance is amazing, where they can go a week or more without water: go several months without food: and survive a 40% decrease in it's body weight. They can be used to carry items and/or pull items. Their milk is more nutrious than cow's milk, and can be drunk fresh. It provides dung that can be used immediately for fuel. They will eat plants that other animals will avoid. They are also known to be a friendly animal. Their hearing is very acute.