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

The unusual part of this outing is not simply sitting on a camel. You ride through the Oasis of the 1,000 Palms, a 300-year-old agricultural refuge in the Fataga ravine, then walk among papaya, mango, and guava trees and meet the animals that live there. It feels more like a small working farm than a polished theme park.

I like the gentle pace and the chance to see camels up close before the ride. I also like the optional tapas, served with drinks among old Canary Islands farm tools and food made from ingredients grown or prepared on the property. The main drawback is the heat: the ride is exposed, with little shade, and midday departures can feel long.

Key points to know

• A full hour on camelback: The ride lasts about 60 minutes, usually along a rocky route through the ravine.
• A 10,000-square-meter oasis: You see tropical fruit trees, gardens, camels, donkeys, and other farm animals.
• Tapas make the outing feel complete: The optional meal includes drinks and local-style dishes in a museum-like farm setting.
• Hotel transport covers the main resort area: Pickup is available in Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, Meloneras, San Agustín, and Bahia Feliz, or at a nearby meeting point.
• Sun protection is essential: Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and light clothing in summer. Wear warmer clothes in winter.
• Check the restrictions before booking: The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people over 275 pounds, or 125 kilograms.

Entering the Oasis of the 1,000 Palms

The Camel Safari Park La Baranda sits in the Fataga area of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, away from the resort roads of Maspalomas. The approach is part of the outing. A drive through the mountain roads brings wide views of the dry ravine and gives you a quick change of scene from hotel pools and beach promenades.

The park covers about 10,000 square meters. That is large enough to make the place feel open, but small enough that you can see the main parts during a half-day visit. You are not signing up for a long desert expedition. This is a compact farm, garden, animal visit, and camel ride combined.

The oasis was constructed more than 300 years ago. Its palms and fruit trees make sense in this dry part of Gran Canaria, where cultivated green spaces depend on careful water use. The contrast is what makes the setting interesting: rocky mountain walls and dry ground around a garden filled with tropical growth.

The setting is pleasant rather than grand. If you expect endless dunes or a sweeping wilderness ride, adjust your expectations. The route passes through a ravine and offers attractive mountain views, but the park itself is the main attraction.

Meeting the Camels Before the Ride

You normally begin with a safety briefing and an introduction to the camels. This is useful if you have never ridden one. The animals are tall, and the moment a camel rises or kneels can surprise first-time riders.

You also have time to visit and feed the camels. Feeding is not included in the basic price, so plan for a small additional charge if you want this part. One past price listed for animal feed was €3, but extra charges can change, so check before you arrive.

The staff present the camels in a calm, hands-on way. That helps nervous riders, especially children. The animals have been described as relaxed and well cared for, and the handlers take time to explain how they look after them. You may also meet donkeys and younger animals during this part of the visit.

The animal contact is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing instead of a simple scenic camel ride. You are not rushed straight from the vehicle onto the camels. You get a little time to observe their size, behavior, and relationship with the handlers first.

A One-Hour Camel Ride Through the Ravine

The main ride lasts about 60 minutes, although some people describe the actual time in the saddle as closer to 50 minutes. Two people may share a camel, depending on the arrangement and the day’s group. If you prefer one camel per rider, ask when booking rather than assuming.

The route follows a rocky track through the ravine. You get mountain views and a taste of the dry interior of Gran Canaria, but this is not a fast or adventurous ride. The camels move at a steady walking pace, and the handler guides the line.

That slow speed suits the setting. You can look around, take photographs when allowed, and get used to the rolling motion. It also makes the ride accessible to people who want something different but do not want a demanding outdoor activity.

The drawback is the exposure. The route has little shade, and the midday sun can be intense even when the ride feels relaxed. Wear a hat that will stay on, apply sunscreen before you leave the hotel, and cover your shoulders if you burn easily. Long sleeves and trousers are useful in winter and can also protect you from the sun in summer.

Comfortable shoes are required. Sandals may be less practical on the rocky ground, and you should expect to climb onto and off the camel with assistance. Pregnant women and people above the stated 275-pound, or 125-kilogram, limit should not book this activity.

Tropical Gardens, Fruit Trees, and Farm Animals

After or around the camel ride, a guide takes you through the gardens. The walk adds useful context because it shows how the oasis is more than a place built for camel rides.

You see fruit trees such as papaya, mango, and guava, along with flowers and other tropical plants. Depending on the season, the appearance of the gardens will vary. The value here is not a formal botanical tour. It is the chance to see a productive garden growing in a dry mountain setting.

The farm animals add a light, family-friendly element. You may feed or interact with donkeys, camels, and other animals. Children often get more from this part than from the ride itself, since they can stop, look closely, and ask questions.

The staff are a major part of the visit. Guides speak Spanish, English, and German, and the information can be delivered across a mixed-language group. A driver named Javier has been singled out for friendly service, while the owner has been described as an amusing guide to the fruit trees and animals.

Do not expect a formal museum or a large animal park. The atmosphere is personal and informal. That means the visit can feel warm and direct, though it also means the pace may be relaxed rather than tightly timed.

The Optional Tapas Meal in a Farm Museum

The tapas option is worth serious consideration. It turns a short animal outing into a more complete half-day program and is one of the experience’s strongest features.

The meal takes place in a museum-like setting decorated with antique Canary Islands farm implements. This gives you something to look at while you eat and connects the food to the agricultural character of the oasis. The dishes vary, but examples described include chicken paella, potatoes, olives, cheese, and other small plates.

Drinks are included with the tapas option. Extra drinks cost more, as do photographs. The meal is not presented as fine dining, and you should not book it expecting a carefully plated restaurant menu. Its appeal is local, informal food in a setting tied to the farm.

The ingredients are described as grown or made at the reserve, including homemade products such as mango and guava jam. That gives the meal a stronger sense of place than a standard buffet near the resort. You may also have the chance to buy homemade products, although purchases are optional.

There can be a sales element around food, drinks, photographs, and products. Some people enjoy browsing and taking home jam. If you prefer a tightly scheduled ride with no extras, the meal and shopping pauses may feel less appealing.

Hotel Pickup and the Real Time Commitment

The advertised duration is about three hours, and a typical hotel-to-hotel outing fits that estimate. Pickup is available from Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, Meloneras, San Agustín, and Bahia Feliz, or from a nearby point.

The drive to the park can take roughly 30 minutes from some resort areas, with mountain views along the way. Shared transport adds convenience, especially if you do not have a rental car. It also means you may make several stops or wait for other people.

Build in some flexibility. A few departures have involved a long wait for the return vehicle after the food, while others have been praised for prompt pickup and drop-off. This may depend on the transport schedule and the selected package. If you have a flight, an excursion, or a restaurant reservation afterward, tell the operator in advance and leave a generous buffer.

The base experience costs about $50 per person. The value depends on what you choose. For the camel ride and garden visit alone, the price is fair if you want an easy, unusual activity rather than a full-day adventure. Adding transport removes the hassle of finding the park. Adding tapas gives you food, drinks, and more time at the oasis, making the package feel stronger for families and couples.

Photos are not included. A past price for a photo was €8, but current charges may differ. Drones are not allowed.

Who Will Enjoy This Most

This suits families with children, couples looking for something different, and anyone who wants a slower half-day outside the main resort strip. The combination of animals, gardens, food, and a short scenic drive gives the outing several distinct parts, which helps keep younger children interested.

It is also a good choice for first-time camel riders. The staff help people settle in, and the pace is controlled. If you are nervous, spend time watching the camel being handled before you climb on.

The experience is less suitable for anyone seeking speed, solitude, or a remote desert ride. You will be visiting an organized farm with other people, optional purchases, and a planned route. The ravine is scenic, but it is not a vast wilderness.

The heat deserves more attention than the cheerful holiday atmosphere might suggest. Summer clothing should be light, but you still need protection from the sun. In winter, bring warmer layers. Sunglasses and sunscreen are useful year-round.

Practical Details Before You Book

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you keep your plans flexible. Check the available start times because the schedule varies.

Choose the tapas and transport package if you want the simplest day. It is especially useful if you are staying in one of the listed resort areas and do not want to arrange a car. Choose the ride-only option if you mainly want the camel experience and prefer to keep the outing shorter.

Wear comfortable shoes, use sunscreen, and carry water if allowed by the operator. A long-sleeved shirt is a smart choice for a midday ride. Leave the drone at your hotel.

Ask how many people will share each camel and confirm the pickup point. Those two details affect comfort more than the headline price. Also ask about current prices for feed, photos, and extra drinks so there are no surprises.

Should You Book the Camel Safari Park?

Book it if you want a friendly, low-key outing that combines a camel ride with animals, gardens, mountain scenery, and local-style food. The tap​as meal and hotel transfer make the best-value version for many people, especially families and visitors without a car.

Skip it if you want dramatic desert riding, long stretches of untouched scenery, or a tightly timed attraction. The route is exposed, the ride can feel long in full sun, and the park may include pauses for food, photos, and purchases.

For most visitors staying in southern Gran Canaria, this is a worthwhile change of pace. Bring sun protection, keep your schedule open, and treat it as a relaxed farm visit with a camel ride rather than a high-adrenaline safari.

FAQ

How long does the camel safari last?

The activity is advertised as about three hours, including transport and the park visit. The camel ride itself lasts 60 minutes, although the riding time may be closer to 50 minutes on some departures.

Where does the camel ride take place?

It takes place at Camel Safari Park La Baranda in the Fataga area of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, within 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 do the guides speak?

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

Is the tapas meal included?

Tapas with drinks are included only if you select the meal option. Extra drinks are not included.

Can I feed the camels?

Camel feeding is not included in the standard activity. Feeding may be available for an additional charge.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen, and light clothing in summer. Warm clothing is recommended in winter. A hat and sun-covering shirt are especially useful during the exposed camel ride.

Who should not take this activity?

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