What role did camels play in the distribution of goods in africa? camels could survive without water for much longer than humans. tough hides, long eyelashes, and water-filled humps enabled camels to carry goods over inhospitable desert terrain. camel caravans carried gold and other resources from sub-saharan africa north to seaports and all throughout africa. camels were difficult animals to work with but had the ability to carry their water reserves in the humps on their backs.