Gran Canaria: Camel Ride Safari w/ Optional Food & Transport

A camel ride with a local twist.

The Camel Safari Park La Baranda takes you into Fataga’s Valley of the Thousand Palms, a peaceful ravine far removed from the high-rise resorts of Maspalomas. I like the one-hour camel ride through the old oasis and the chance to see the animals up close. I also like the optional tapas meal, made with ingredients connected to the reserve. The main drawback is simple: the ride takes place in an exposed canyon, so midday summer heat can make an hour feel long.

This is not a sweeping desert expedition. It is a small farm, garden, and animal park set among rugged mountain scenery. You will see fruit trees, feed camels and donkeys, hear stories about the site, and enjoy a slow, slightly old-fashioned outing. Hotel pickup and drop-off make it easy, though the return journey may take longer than expected if transport is shared.

Key things to know before you book

• The camel ride lasts about 60 minutes: You travel through the Oasis of the 1,000 Palms on rocky paths between the mountains.
• The oasis is more than a photo stop: Its gardens cover about 10,000 square meters and include papaya, mango, and guava trees.
• Tapas can change the value of the trip: The optional meal includes drinks and locally made or grown food served among old Canarian farm tools.
• You can feed some animals: Camels, donkeys, and other farm animals are part of the visit, but animal feed is an extra cost.
• Sun protection matters: There is little shade in the canyon, and several people found the midday ride hot.
• Transport is aimed at southern resort areas: Pickup is available from Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, Meloneras, San Agustín, and Bahia Feliz, or from a nearby meeting point.

From Maspalomas to the Fataga mountain valley

If you choose transport, the outing begins with pickup at your hotel or a nearby location. The drive from the resort area takes you inland toward San Bartolomé de Tirajana, with mountain views along the way. One ride was handled by Javier, who received particular praise for his driving and friendly service.

The road itself is part of the appeal. You leave the dense resort area and move into a quieter part of Gran Canaria, where the scenery becomes rocky and steep. Some passengers have found sections of the road a little hairy, but the driving has generally been described as safe and well managed.

The exact schedule depends on the selected option and pickup point. The core activity is commonly described as three hours, while the version with food and transport can take longer from hotel to hotel. Allow extra time if you have a flight, dinner reservation, or another tour afterward. One person had to wait around an hour for a return pickup, and another reported a wait of roughly two hours. That may not happen to you, but it is worth keeping your afternoon open.

La Baranda: a small oasis rather than a huge theme park

Camel Safari Park La Baranda is a working-style animal and garden attraction, not a large amusement park. The site covers around 10,000 square meters and combines a tropical garden, animal areas, paths, and a traditional dining space.

The park’s setting gives it much of its character. The old oasis was constructed more than 300 years ago, and its palms help explain the name Oasis of the 1,000 Palms. You will not be walking through a perfectly manicured botanical garden. Instead, you get a compact rural setting where plants, animals, farm tools, and mountain surroundings fit together.

The guided walk takes you through fruit trees such as papaya, mango, and guava. Depending on the season, you might see fruit growing on the trees, and some food served later comes from the reserve or is prepared locally. That link between the garden and the meal makes the visit feel more personal than a simple camel ride.

The animal area adds another layer. You can see and interact with camels, donkeys, and other farm animals. The animals were repeatedly described as relaxed and well cared for, and the staff are happy to explain how they look after them. There is also a memorable parrot that apparently meows, which is exactly the sort of small oddity that makes a modest attraction fun.

The camel briefing and the first nervous steps

Before riding, you receive a safety briefing and an introduction to the camels. This matters if you have never ridden one. Getting onto a camel and feeling it rise can be startling because the animal stands up in stages, pitching you forward and then back.

The guides help settle nervous riders. One older ranchero was praised for his calm, gentle handling of the camels, and the staff have a reputation for making first-time riders feel comfortable. You do not need previous riding experience.

The camels are paired with riders according to the operation’s setup. One person raised a concern about two people sharing a camel, even though the animal’s stated carrying capacity is much higher than the combined weight in that case. If this arrangement worries you, ask the staff about it before mounting. Pregnant women and anyone weighing more than 275 pounds, or 125 kilograms, should not take this activity.

You may also have the chance to feed the camels and other animals. Animal feed is not included, and some people paid about €3 for it. Photos are also extra, with one person reporting a price of €8. Bring a little cash if these add-ons appeal to you, but do not assume they are part of the $50 base price.

One hour through the Oasis of the 1,000 Palms

The ride lasts about an hour, though a few descriptions call the active riding time closer to 50 minutes. You travel along a rocky route through the oasis and the surrounding valley, with palms and mountain walls giving the ride a distinctive Gran Canaria setting.

The scenery is pleasant rather than grand. This is not an open Sahara-style journey with endless dunes. The route is more like a slow excursion through a dry ravine, with uneven ground, palms, and views that are difficult to find in the main resort areas. If you want dramatic wilderness, you may find the setting modest. If you want an unusual way to see a rural corner of the island, it works well.

The slow pace is part of the charm. You are sitting high above the path while the camel walks steadily along. Children may find the animal itself more exciting than the scenery, while adults may enjoy the calm pace and the change from poolside sightseeing.

Still, be realistic about the sun. The canyon has little shade, and summer riders have found the midday session very hot. Wear sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat if possible. Light clothing is sensible in summer, while winter visitors should bring warmer layers. Long sleeves and long trousers can protect you from the sun, though you will want breathable fabric in warm weather.

Comfortable shoes are required. The ground is rocky, and you may walk around the gardens and animal areas before or after the ride. Drones are not allowed.

Meeting camels, donkeys, and the farm animals

The animal interaction is a strong part of the outing, particularly for families. You can visit the camels at close range, feed some animals if you purchase feed, and see donkeys, baby camels, and other farm residents.

The staff are friendly and playful with children, including young children around three and four years old. Families with children from early primary age through the teenage years have found enough variety to keep everyone interested. The ride provides the main activity, while feeding animals and exploring the gardens give younger children something to do before and after.

This is also where the small scale of the park helps. You are not being rushed from one giant attraction to another. There is time to look at the animals, ask questions, and notice details in the gardens. One person felt the pace was almost too relaxed because of a long wait for the return vehicle, but that extra time can be pleasant if you enjoy quiet surroundings.

Do keep expectations sensible. You are visiting a farm-style attraction, so the animal contact is informal rather than a major wildlife encounter. Feeding is optional and costs extra. The appeal lies in seeing how the camels fit into the park’s daily life, not in a long list of exotic species.

The tapas option and the old farm museum setting

The optional tapas meal is the part that most improves the value for many people. It is served in a museum-like setting decorated with antique farming equipment from the Canary Islands. That gives the meal a sense of place and makes it more than a standard tour-bus lunch.

The food varies, but descriptions include chicken paella, potatoes, olives, cheese, and other small dishes. Drinks are included with the tapas option, though extra drinks cost more. Some items will suit nearly everyone, while others may be less familiar or less appealing if you are a picky eater.

The meal is not necessarily a formal restaurant experience. One person expected a barbecue and found that the food was instead served as a prepared meal. The food was still considered tasty, but the distinction is useful. Book the tapas option for a generous local-style lunch or snack, not for a polished dining event.

Several homemade products may also be available to buy, including mango and guava jam. The staff are keen to sell some of their own goods, and one person found the sales approach a little heavy. You can enjoy the food and decline anything else without trouble, but include this possibility in your expectations.

At around $50 per person before any optional upgrades, the basic ride is reasonably priced if you mainly want the camel experience. The tapas and transport package offers better value for many people because it adds a meal, drinks, a garden tour, and animal visits to the ride. If you already have a rental car and do not want lunch, the base option may be enough.

How the timing affects the value

The experience is promoted as a three-hour activity, but the total time can vary depending on whether you add food and hotel transport. Hotel pickup, the mountain drive, the safety briefing, garden tour, camel ride, meal, and return transfer all contribute to the day.

The core visit feels like a half-day outing. You will not spend the whole time riding. The camel ride is about an hour, with the remaining time divided between transport, animals, gardens, food, and waiting.

That balance suits you if you want an easy day away from the resort. It may disappoint you if you expect several hours on camelback. I would not book it immediately before an airport transfer unless the operator confirms the timing. One person had a flight after the activity and was returned in good time, but another had a lengthy wait. The safest approach is to leave a generous buffer.

Transport is especially useful if you are staying in Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, Meloneras, San Agustín, or Bahia Feliz. If your hotel is elsewhere, you may need to reach a nearby pickup point yourself. Confirm the meeting location carefully, since there is more than one camel-riding operation along the road and stopping at the wrong one is possible.

Who will enjoy this outing most

I would recommend the safari to families, first-time camel riders, and anyone who wants a slower rural experience after time in the resort districts. The friendly staff, manageable riding time, and animal visits make it approachable.

It is also a good choice if you like food tied to a place. The tapas option connects the garden, farm products, old equipment, and local hospitality in a way the ride alone cannot.

You should think twice if you dislike heat, uneven paths, animal rides, or commercial add-ons. The canyon can be exposed, the route is rocky, and feeding, photos, drinks, and homemade products cost extra. Pregnant women and people over 125 kilograms cannot take part.

The experience is conducted in Spanish, English, and German. That multilingual support is useful when the group includes people from several countries, and the guides make an effort to explain the activity in each language.

Should you book the Camel Safari Park?

Book it if you want a friendly, unusual half-day outing with a one-hour camel ride, mountain scenery, garden plants, farm animals, and the option of homemade tapas. The strongest reasons to choose it are the relaxed setting, helpful staff, and the meal package, which turns a short ride into a fuller experience.

Skip it if you want a large-scale desert adventure or a long ride through dramatic open country. You should also avoid the hottest part of the day when possible. For most visitors, the best choice is the package with tapas and transport, provided you allow extra time for the return journey and come prepared for sun.

FAQ

How long does the camel safari take?

The activity is generally described as lasting three hours, although the food and transport options can make the total hotel-to-hotel outing longer. Allow extra time for transfers and possible waiting.

How long is the camel ride?

The camel ride lasts about 60 minutes. Some descriptions place the active riding time closer to 50 minutes.

Where does the camel ride take place?

The ride takes place at Camel Safari Park La Baranda in the Fataga nature reserve, through the Oasis of the 1,000 Palms near San Bartolomé de Tirajana.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included if you select the transport option. Service is available from hotels in Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, Meloneras, San Agustín, and Bahia Feliz, or from a nearby location.

Is food included?

Tapas with drinks are included only when you select the food option. The meal can include items such as paella, potatoes, olives, cheese, and other local-style dishes.

Can I feed the camels?

You can feed the camels and some other animals, but camel feeding is not included in the basic price. Animal feed is an additional purchase.

What other animals can I see?

The park has farm animals including donkeys and camels, along with other animals in the oasis. You can interact with some of them during the visit.

What languages are spoken?

The activity is offered in Spanish, English, and German.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable shoes, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Light clothing is recommended in summer, while warmer clothing is better in winter. A hat and sun-covering clothing are useful because the canyon has little shade.

Who cannot take part?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people weighing more than 275 pounds, or 125 kilograms. Drones are also not allowed.