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

The best part of this outing is that it is more than a camel ride. You travel into Fataga’s Valley of the Thousand Palms, where a 300-year-old oasis includes fruit trees, farm animals, mountain views, and a quiet rural setting. The camel ride lasts about an hour, long enough to feel like a real activity rather than a quick photo stop.

I like the mix of camel time and garden exploration, and I like the option to add a generous tapas meal made with local ingredients. The friendly staff, including driver Javier on some departures, also help keep the day relaxed. The main drawback is the heat: the route has little shade, and a few people have found the wait for return transport longer than expected.

Key points

• One-hour camel ride: Travel along a rocky route through the Oasis of the 1,000 Palms, with camels guided by experienced handlers.
• A working rural oasis: See papaya, mango, guava, flowers, donkeys, baby camels, and other farm animals across 10,000 square meters.
• Tapas is worth considering: The optional meal includes drinks and local food served in a museum-like room filled with old Canarian farm tools.
• Hotel transport simplifies the outing: Pickup and drop-off are available from Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, Meloneras, San Agustín, and Bahia Feliz, or from a nearby meeting point.
• Prepare for full sun: Wear sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and light clothing in summer. Long sleeves and trousers can help protect you from the sun.
• Know the limits: The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people over 275 pounds, or 125 kilograms.

Reaching La Baranda from the resort coast

The safari park is in Fataga, inland from Maspalomas, rather than beside the beach resorts. That change of setting is part of the appeal. The drive climbs through the mountains and into the valley, with some fine views along the way.

If you choose transport, pickup is offered from hotels in Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, Meloneras, San Agustín, and Bahia Feliz. Some bookings use a nearby pickup point instead of the hotel entrance. Confirm the exact location and time carefully, especially if your accommodation is in a large resort complex.

The advertised activity lasts about three hours, though the full outing can run longer depending on transport, the meal, and the pace of the group. One detailed account described roughly 30 minutes of driving each way and about three hours from hotel to hotel. Build in extra time if you have a flight, dinner booking, or another scheduled activity afterward.

The mountain road can feel twisty. That is not a flaw in the tour, but it may matter if you are prone to motion sickness. The drivers have been praised for being careful and helpful, and one driver named Javier received particular appreciation for his service.

The Oasis of the 1,000 Palms

Camel Safari Park La Baranda sits in a natural oasis covering about 10,000 square meters. The site is known as the Oasis of the 1,000 Palms and is connected with the Valley of the Thousand Palms in Camellos.

You begin with a safety briefing and an introduction to the animals. The setting feels rural and hands-on rather than polished like a theme park. You can see the camels up close, and the staff explain how they care for them. You may also see donkeys, baby camels, birds, and other farm animals.

The tropical garden gives the outing more variety. Papaya, mango, and guava trees grow among flowers and other plants. A guide takes you around the grounds, pointing out the fruit trees and explaining how the oasis works. If you enjoy gardens, small farms, or local food production, this part may be as interesting as the ride itself.

You can feed some animals, but animal feed is not included. Feeding the camels costs extra, and photos and videos also cost extra. I would bring a little cash if you want those additions, but do not assume that feeding is part of the base price.

The one-hour camel ride

The camel ride is the central event, and it lasts about 60 minutes. In practice, some riders describe the mounted portion as closer to 50 minutes, so think of it as roughly an hour rather than a timed guarantee down to the minute.

The route heads through the oasis and along a rocky path between the mountains. You are not crossing open desert in the Sahara sense. This is a Gran Canarian valley with dry mountain scenery, palms, cultivated gardens, and rugged ground.

The camel handlers are an important part of the experience. The camels are led rather than left for you to control, so you can focus on the unusual rhythm of the ride and the scenery. The handlers have been described as calm and gentle with the animals, which helps if you are nervous.

Getting onto a camel can feel daunting, especially when the animal rises or kneels. The staff give instructions, and first-time riders often settle into the experience once the group gets moving. If you have concerns about balance, mobility, or the motion of the ride, tell the staff before mounting.

The ride takes place in an exposed valley with limited shade. Midday departures can be uncomfortable in full sun, especially in summer. Wear sunscreen before you arrive, bring sunglasses, and use a hat that will not blow away easily. Long sleeves and trousers are useful for sun protection, though light clothing is more comfortable in hot weather.

There is also a practical animal-welfare point to consider. One person felt that two adults on a camel looked uncomfortable, even though the animals are said to have a much higher carrying capacity. The supplied information does not explain the seating arrangement in detail, so ask the staff how riders are assigned if this matters to you.

Meeting the camels and farm animals

The chance to meet the animals before or after the ride gives the activity a warmer, more personal feel. You can watch the camels being handled, see how they respond to the guides, and learn about their care.

Families often find this part especially useful because younger children may enjoy feeding or observing the donkeys and other animals even if they are less interested in the full ride. The staff have been praised for being playful and attentive with children, including two children aged three and four.

The park is not just a camel corral. The gardens, fruit trees, and animals make it possible to spend time wandering around before or after your ride. A funny parrot that meows has also become one of the site’s memorable characters.

Still, keep expectations realistic. This is a small rural park, not a major wildlife attraction. The appeal comes from the personal scale, the setting, and the chance to see a working oasis. If you want a fast, high-adrenaline excursion, this is not it.

Optional tapas in a Canarian farm museum

The tapas option is one of the strongest reasons to consider the upgraded package. After the camel ride and garden visit, you eat in a museum-like setting decorated with antique farming tools from the Canary Islands.

The food varies by departure, but examples include chicken paella, potatoes, olives, cheese, and other small dishes. Drinks are included with the tapas option, though extra drinks cost more. Some food is grown or made at the reserve, and homemade items such as mango and guava jam may be available to buy.

I like this meal because it connects the food to the place. You are not simply adding a standard restaurant lunch to a camel ride. The old farm implements and local ingredients help explain how people once worked these valleys and how the oasis still produces fruit and other goods.

Taste is personal, of course. Most detailed comments about the meal are highly positive, but one person liked some dishes more than others. If you are a picky eater, the food is served as a selection rather than a made-to-order menu, so the optional meal may be better viewed as a local tasting than a fully customizable lunch.

The meal can also extend your stay at the park. That is pleasant if you want a slow afternoon, but it may become inconvenient if transport is not ready immediately afterward. One booking had about an hour’s wait after finishing the food, and another reported a much longer wait. This seems to depend on the transport schedule, so ask about the return timing if you need to be back promptly.

Is the $50 price good value?

At about $50 per person, the basic package is fairly priced for a three-hour outing that includes the camel ride, animal visit, garden tour, and safety briefing. You are paying for transport through the mountains only if you select the pickup option, and the tapas meal is also an upgrade.

The value improves if you want several activities in one half-day. A simple camel ride can feel brief, but here you also get the gardens, farm animals, and a look at local fruit growing. Add the meal and you have a fuller cultural outing rather than a single ride.

Hotel pickup and drop-off can make the package particularly worthwhile. Driving to Fataga yourself may be possible, but the tour transport removes the need to find the correct park entrance. One person warned that there is more than one camel ride along the road, so follow the supplied directions and do not stop at the first similar-looking place.

Extras can change the final cost. Animal feed, photographs, videos, and additional drinks are not included. One past booking found the feeding and photo prices reasonable, but you should still decide in advance how much you want to spend beyond the advertised rate.

Who will enjoy this experience most?

I would recommend this to families, first-time camel riders, and anyone staying around the southern resort area who wants a change from the beach. The animals, garden, food, and scenic drive give children and adults several things to enjoy.

It also suits people who prefer a gentle cultural outing over a fast adventure. The guides speak Spanish, English, and German, and the group may receive information in more than one language.

You should think twice if you dislike animals being used for rides, struggle with heat, or need a highly predictable schedule. Pregnant women cannot take part, and the activity is not suitable for people over 275 pounds, or 125 kilograms. Comfortable shoes are required, and drones are not allowed.

The park can be peaceful, but the experience is still organized for tourists. There are paid photos, animal feed, extra drinks, and homemade products for sale. That does not ruin the outing, but it is useful to know that the optional spending begins once you arrive.

Practical advice for a smoother visit

Wear closed, comfortable shoes for the rocky route and garden paths. Pack sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. In summer, light clothing is best, while winter mornings may call for warmer layers.

Long sleeves and trousers can help during a sunny midday ride. One person who rode in full sun wished they had been better prepared, and several others gave the same basic advice: protect yourself from the heat.

Keep your phone or camera secure during the ride. Photos and videos are not included, and the park may offer its own photo service. If you choose the tapas option, allow extra time for the meal and the return transfer.

The activity has free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so check availability for your date rather than assuming the same schedule every day.

Should you book the Camel Safari Park?

Book it if you want a friendly, unusual half-day with animals, mountain scenery, gardens, and the option of local tapas. The combination is the real value. You get more than a ride, and the park’s small scale gives the outing a personal feel.

I would choose the hotel transport and tapas package if the price fits your budget. The food adds a strong local touch, while the pickup saves you from navigating the mountain road and finding the correct entrance.

Skip it if you want shade, speed, or a tightly timed activity. The valley can be hot, the ride can feel long in the midday sun, and the return transfer may take longer than planned. For most visitors staying in southern Gran Canaria, though, this is a pleasant way to spend a few hours away from the resort strip.

FAQ

How long does the camel safari last?

The activity is advertised as three hours, and the camel ride itself lasts 60 minutes. The total hotel-to-hotel time can be longer depending on pickup, the tapas meal, and the return transfer.

Where does the camel ride take place?

It takes place at Camel Safari Park La Baranda in Fataga’s Valley of the Thousand Palms, also known as the Oasis of the 1,000 Palms.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

What languages are spoken by the guides?

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

Is the tapas meal included?

Tapas with drinks are included only if you select that option when booking. Extra drinks are not included.

Can I feed the camels?

Camel feeding is not included in the standard price. Animal feed may be available for an additional charge.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable shoes, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Light clothing is recommended in summer, and warmer clothing is recommended in winter. Long sleeves and trousers can help protect you from strong sun.

Who should not join the camel ride?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people over 275 pounds, or 125 kilograms.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.