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Summary The average lipid content of mature camel milk (3.48 g100g−1), was found to be less than cow's milk (3.69g 100g−1), but the total cholesterol content of camel milk was high (31.32 mg100g−1) when compared to the total cholesterol content of cow's milk (25.63mg100g−1). The average free cholesterol content of mature milk from 54 lactating camels was 21.34 mg100g−1, while the average free cholesterol of mature milk of 24 lactating cows was 17.25 mg100g−1. In the esterified fraction of camel's milk the percentage of saturated fatty acids was 52% with a content of palmitic acid of 18.4%. In cow's milk saturated fatty acids accounted for 58% of the total with a content of palmitic acid of 23.6%. The unsaturated fatty acids fraction in both groups was mainly contributed by oleic acid and palmitoleic acid. Pelargonic acid (C9:0) and decanoic acid (C10:1) were found in significant amounts in mature camel milk, but were only just detectable in cow's milk. The higher content of medium chain fatty acids in camel milk is useful from a nutritional point of view as they are more easily absorbed and metabolized than long chain fatty acids.