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

Camels and mangoes make an odd, happy pairing. This half-day outing at Camel Safari Park La Baranda combines a one-hour camel ride through the Oasis of the 1,000 Palms with a guided look at tropical gardens, farm animals, and fruit trees. I like the mix of simple outdoor fun and local food, especially the optional tapas served in a museum-like room filled with old Canary Island farm tools.

I also like that you can choose hotel pickup and drop-off from much of southern Gran Canaria, including Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, Meloneras, San Agustín, and Bahia Feliz. The main drawback is the heat and limited shade during the ride. At midday, an hour in full sun can feel long, so sunscreen, a hat, and light clothing matter.

Key points to know before booking

• The camel ride lasts about 60 minutes: You travel along a rocky route in the Oasis of the 1,000 Palms, with mountain views around the ravine.
• The oasis is more than a camel stop: Your guide shows you a 10,000-square-meter garden with papaya, mango, guava, flowers, and farm animals.
• The tapas option adds real value: Food and drinks include homemade and locally sourced items, served among antique agricultural displays.
• Hotel transport covers southern resorts: Pickup and return are available from selected hotels or nearby meeting points, depending on the package.
• Animal feeding and photographs cost extra: Camel feeding is not included, and photos and videos are also outside the advertised price.
• Come ready for sun and uneven ground: Wear comfortable shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen, and suitable clothing for the season.

Reaching the Oasis of the 1,000 Palms

The park sits in the Fataga nature reserve, inland from the resort strip around Maspalomas. If you choose transport, the drive takes you away from the busy coast and into the mountains of San Bartolomé de Tirajana. One pickup account describes a drive of roughly 30 minutes over the mountain, with fine views along the way.

That transfer is useful if you do not have a rental car. It also removes the worry of finding the correct entrance, since more than one camel attraction operates along the road. If you drive yourself, check the exact meeting point carefully before setting off.

The activity is advertised as lasting three hours, and the hotel-to-hotel timing is often around that length. The time on site includes more than the ride, so do not expect three hours on a camel. The ride itself is about an hour, with the rest used for the gardens, animals, safety talk, photos, and optional meal.

Pickup is offered in Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, Meloneras, San Agustín, and Bahia Feliz, or at a nearby location. The final pickup details depend on the option you book. This is worth checking carefully if you have a flight, dinner booking, or another excursion later in the day.

Meeting the camels before the ride

The visit begins with a safety briefing and an introduction to the camels. You have time to see them at close range, and feeding may be available for an additional charge. Camel feeding is specifically not included in the standard price, so bring no assumptions about free animal snacks.

This first stage helps if you feel nervous. One first-time rider found the beginning a little scary but felt comfortable by the end. The staff are described as friendly and reassuring, and children often get plenty of attention from the team.

The camel handlers are an important part of the outing. One guide, described as an older ranchero, was praised for his calm and gentle manner with the animals. Another driver, Javier, received particular praise for his service. The guides speak Spanish, English, and German, and the information can be delivered in different languages when a group includes several nationalities.

The camels are generally described as relaxed and well cared for. You can also see donkeys, baby camels, a parrot, and other farm animals. The parrot has a particularly odd trick: it reportedly meows. That is the sort of small detail that gives the stop more character than a simple ride-and-leave operation.

Riding through the rocky ravine

The central activity is a camel ride lasting about 60 minutes. You travel through the Oasis of the 1,000 Palms, an oasis said to have been constructed more than 300 years ago. The route passes through a ravine surrounded by the dry mountains of Gran Canaria.

This is not a polished theme-park ride. The path is rocky, and some of the mountain roads on the way to the park can feel hairy. The route offers views that are different from anything you see along the resort coast, but you should set your expectations sensibly. This is a pleasant desert and mountain outing, not a grand wilderness expedition.

You may share a camel with another person. One concern raised about this arrangement was the apparent weight carried by the animals, even though the stated carrying capacity is much higher than the combined weight of two adults in that particular case. If animal welfare is a major factor in your decision, ask the operator how riders are assigned and how many people share each camel.

The ride can feel very different depending on the time of day. Morning conditions are likely to be more comfortable than a midday session, though exact temperatures and shade vary. The canyon has limited shade, and several visitors specifically advise wearing long sleeves or trousers to avoid burning. Light summer clothing is sensible, but a thin long-sleeved shirt can be even more useful than a vest top.

A camel’s movement is slow and rolling. If you have never ridden one, the climb onto the saddle and the animal’s rise from the ground can feel more dramatic than the ride itself. Hold on as instructed, listen during the safety briefing, and wear shoes that will stay secure on your feet.

Pregnant women and people weighing more than 275 pounds, or 125 kilograms, should not book this activity. Comfortable shoes are required, and drones are not allowed.

Exploring a garden in the desert

The park covers about 10,000 square meters, giving you plenty to see before or after the ride. The guided garden visit includes tropical plants and fruit trees such as papaya, mango, and guava. This is a useful contrast to the dry ravine outside the park. Water and careful cultivation create a greener pocket in an otherwise arid setting.

I like this part because it gives the outing a local, working-farm feel. You are not only sitting on a camel for a photograph. You get a look at how fruit grows in the oasis and hear about the place from the people who run it.

The gardens are also a good reason to allow extra time around the ride. You might find yourself stopping to look at the plants, chat with the staff, or watch the animals. The setting is peaceful, and it offers a slower break from the resort areas.

Families should find the variety helpful. Younger children can look at donkeys and other animals, older children can enjoy the camel ride, and adults get the mountain setting and food option. One family with children aged 6, 12, and 16 found that the combination worked across different ages, which is not always easy on a family holiday.

Feeding donkeys and farm animals

The animal area adds a hands-on element, though the details depend on what is available on the day. You can see and interact with friendly farm animals and may have the chance to feed donkeys, camels, and other creatures.

Do keep the extra-cost point in mind. Food for feeding the animals is not included in the main package. One account put the cost at €3, while another noted that camel feeding required payment. Prices can change, so treat that as a guide rather than a promise.

The animals appear to be a major part of the park’s appeal. Several people particularly enjoyed meeting the camels, and the animals were described as tolerant, relaxed, and well looked after. That does not remove the need to think about the shared-saddle arrangement, but it is reassuring to see that animal care is part of the park’s identity.

The optional tapas meal and old farm tools

The tapas option is the strongest upgrade for many people. After the ride and garden visit, you can eat in a room arranged almost like a small agricultural museum. Displays of antique Canary Island farm implements give the meal a sense of place.

The exact menu can vary, but examples include chicken paella, potatoes, olives, cheese, and other small dishes. Homemade drinks and locally sourced ingredients have also been served. A drink is included with some meal packages, while extra drinks cost more.

The food receives especially warm praise. Some people describe it as outstanding, while others found certain dishes less suited to their taste. That is a fair warning: tapas is a selection, not a made-to-order restaurant meal. You may love some plates and be less keen on others, but the chance to taste homemade food from the reserve makes the add-on worthwhile.

I would choose the meal if the price difference is reasonable for your booking. It turns a short camel ride into a fuller outing and gives you somewhere to sit and cool down afterward. It also helps support the small family-run character of the place, though staff may offer homemade products such as mango and guava jam for sale.

One practical point: transport may not leave the instant you finish eating. A visitor reported waiting about an hour for the return pickup, and another described a longer wait of up to two hours. That may give you more time to look around, but it can be frustrating if you have firm plans afterward. Ask about the return schedule before settling in for lunch.

What the $50 price really includes

At around $50 per person, the basic package is fairly priced for a one-hour camel ride plus the garden and animal visits. The value improves if you want an unusual activity rather than a full-day tour. You get a ride, a guided visit, contact with farm animals, and a mountain transfer if transport is included in your selected option.

The tapas and transport packages cost more, so compare the options rather than assuming the headline price covers everything. Pickup and drop-off can save you taxi money and planning time, especially from the southern resorts. The meal can also be good value if you would otherwise buy lunch elsewhere.

There are extra charges to remember. Photos, videos, additional drinks, and animal-feeding food are not included. The official photo option has been priced at €8 in the past, and feeding food at €3, but confirm current prices on the day.

The flexible booking terms are useful for a holiday schedule. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. Starting times vary, so check availability before making other plans.

Heat, clothing, and comfort

Your clothing can make or break this outing. In summer, wear light clothing, sunglasses, and plenty of sunscreen. Add a hat if you have one. A long-sleeved shirt is wise for the exposed ride, and one winter visitor strongly advised long sleeves and trousers to avoid sunburn.

Comfortable shoes are required. The gardens and animal areas may be easy to walk around, but the camel route is rocky. Avoid loose sandals if they do not stay firmly attached.

There is little shade in the canyon, so midday is not ideal for anyone who struggles with heat. Children need sun protection and water, and older adults may prefer a cooler starting time. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people over the stated weight limit.

The ride itself is not physically strenuous in the way a mountain hike would be, but sitting on a moving camel for nearly an hour can be tiring. If you are uncertain, ask the staff about the saddle arrangement and the walking involved before you ride.

Who should book this camel safari?

I would recommend it to families, couples, and anyone staying in southern Gran Canaria who wants something different from beaches and resort streets. It works particularly well for a mixed-age group because the day includes animals, scenery, a short guided walk, food, and a memorable ride.

It also suits people who enjoy small-scale attractions with a personal touch. The staff are often praised for being friendly, playful with children, and attentive to individual needs. One account described the team taking extra care with a person who had multiple sclerosis.

I would be more cautious if you want a quiet, private experience. The outing is organized for groups, the ride may involve two people per camel, and there are optional paid extras. It can also feel touristy, especially around photographs, animal food, and products for sale.

If your main goal is dramatic scenery, keep expectations modest. The mountain setting is attractive, but the camel route is not a long trek through untouched desert. The real appeal is the combination of the oasis, animals, local food, and the novelty of riding a camel in Gran Canaria.

Should you book it?

Book this safari if you want a friendly, unusual half-day with a strong family appeal. Choose the tapas and transport option if the added cost fits your budget, since both upgrades make the outing easier and more complete.

Skip it if you dislike animal rides, need guaranteed shade, or have a tightly packed schedule after the activity. If you do book, choose the coolest available starting time, bring sun protection, confirm the pickup point and return timing, and budget for optional photos or animal food.

For most visitors based around Maspalomas and the nearby resorts, this is good value at about $50 for the basic experience. The ride alone is not the whole story. The oasis, fruit garden, farm animals, friendly handlers, and homemade tapas are what make this outing worth considering.

FAQ

How long does the camel safari last?

The activity is advertised as three hours, including the camel ride, garden visit, animal time, and any selected meal. The camel ride itself lasts about 60 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 available?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are available with the selected transport option from hotels in Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, Meloneras, San Agustín, and Bahia Feliz, or from a nearby meeting point.

What languages are spoken?

The instructors and guides speak Spanish, English, and German.

Is the tapas meal included?

Tapas with drinks is included only if you select the meal option. Extra drinks are not included, and the dishes can include items such as paella, potatoes, olives, cheese, and other small plates.

Who cannot take part in the camel ride?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people weighing more than 275 pounds, or 125 kilograms. Comfortable shoes, sunglasses, and sun protection are recommended, and drones are not allowed.