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 haven in Fataga’s mountain ravine. I like the mix of a gentle animal encounter and a look at papaya, mango, guava, and other plants growing in a 10,000-square-meter oasis. I also like the optional tapas meal, served among old Canary Islands farm tools rather than in a standard resort restaurant.

The main drawback is the full-sun setting. Much of the ride passes through an open, rocky valley with little shade, and midday can feel hot. You should also allow some flexibility after the meal, since one pickup took an hour and another return transfer reportedly stretched much longer than expected.

Key points at a glance

• A one-hour camel ride: Travel along rocky paths in the valley, with the mountains around you and the oasis behind you.
• A working tropical garden: See fruit trees, flowers, and farm plants, then hear about how the small reserve is maintained.
• Friendly farm animals: You can meet camels, donkeys, baby camels, and other animals, though feeding them costs extra.
• Optional homemade tapas: The food package includes tapas and drinks, with dishes made using ingredients from the reserve when available.
• Hotel pickup from southern resorts: Transport is offered from Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, Meloneras, San Agustín, and Bahia Feliz, or from a nearby meeting point.
• Best preparation: Wear comfortable shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, and light clothing in summer. A hat and long sleeves are wise.

A camel safari in Gran Canaria’s palm valley

Gran Canaria is often sold through beaches and resort pools, but the island’s interior tells a different story. In the Fataga area, dry mountain slopes close around narrow ravines where palms and fruit trees gather near water. Camel Safari Park La Baranda makes use of that contrast.

The park is in the Valley of the Thousand Palms, also called the Oasis of the 1,000 Palms. The setting feels more like a small rural property than a polished theme park. That is part of its appeal. You see gardens, farm equipment, animals, and people working with the place, all within a compact area.

I would not book this expecting a long expedition across empty desert. The camel ride lasts about 60 minutes, and the full activity is generally sold as three hours, though some descriptions refer to a four-hour program and hotel transport can add time. Think of it as a half-day outing with several small parts: transport, a garden visit, animals, the ride, and optional food.

Reaching La Baranda from the southern resorts

If you choose transport, pickup is available 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, so check the exact meeting instructions carefully.

The drive into the Fataga area is one of the better parts of the outing. You leave the resort zone and head toward the mountains, with scenic views along the road. One account describes roughly 30 minutes from the hotel, though the exact time depends on your resort and the day’s pickup schedule.

The road can feel winding and, at points, a little hairy. That is not necessarily a sign of poor driving. It is simply mountain-country roadwork, and the route is part of the change from southern resort to rural valley. Drivers have been described as punctual and careful, with Javier receiving particular praise for his friendly service.

If you are arranging your own transport, take care at the entrance. There is more than one camel-riding operation along the road, so do not stop at the first sign you see. Confirm that you are at Camel Safari Park La Baranda.

Meeting the camels and farm animals

The animal visit usually comes before or around the camel ride. You get close to the camels, learn a little about them, and may have the chance to feed them. Donkeys, baby camels, and other farm animals are also part of the visit. A parrot with an amusing habit of meowing has entertained more than one child.

The animals are the heart of this experience. The staff handle them calmly, and the guides explain how they are cared for and what daily work is involved. I appreciate that this gives you more than a quick photo stop. You have time to look at the animals at close range and ask questions.

Feeding is not included. Food for the animals can cost extra, and photos and videos are also separate purchases. This is worth knowing before you arrive, particularly if you are bringing children who will naturally want to offer every donkey a snack.

The park’s animal encounters suit families well. Children as young as three and four have enjoyed the visit, while older children and adults still have the novelty of riding a camel. If animal welfare is important to you, pay attention to how the camels behave and to the staff’s handling. The available descriptions portray the animals as relaxed and well cared for, though one person questioned the practice of putting two riders on a camel.

Walking through the 300-year-old oasis

The guided garden visit helps explain why this place is here. The oasis was constructed more than 300 years ago, and its palms create a striking pocket of greenery in the dry Fataga ravine. The property covers about 10,000 square meters, so it is substantial enough for a proper walk but not so large that you lose the group.

You may see papaya, mango, and guava trees, along with flowers and other tropical plants. The guide shows you around and explains the plants and the farm setting. The owner has also been described as an entertaining guide, turning the garden and animal visit into a relaxed, personal introduction to the property.

This is not a formal botanical garden with labels at every turn. It is better understood as a private rural oasis that combines cultivation, animals, and tourism. I like that distinction. You see food growing in the same place where it may later appear on your plate.

The gardens also provide a quieter break from the ride. Take your time here. The mountains, palms, fruit trees, and farm buildings offer a different view of Gran Canaria than the coast does. If you want a major desert panorama, the outing may feel modest. If you want a small-scale countryside experience away from the hotel strip, it works well.

What the one-hour camel ride feels like

The camel ride follows rocky paths through the valley. You sit high above the ground while the camel moves at a steady walking pace, with the mountains and palms providing the setting. It is more of a scenic animal ride than a fast safari.

Getting onto a camel can feel alarming the first time. The animal rises in stages, so you need to hold on as it gets to its feet and again when it kneels at the end. The staff help make the process less worrying, and one guide, described as an older ranchero, was especially gentle and calm with the camels.

The ride itself lasts close to an hour, although some people experienced it as shorter. That length is enough to make the activity feel worthwhile, but it also means you need to prepare for sitting in the sun. There is little shade in the open section of the valley. Wear a hat, apply sunscreen before leaving, and consider long sleeves and trousers, especially if you burn easily.

The ride is not likely to satisfy someone seeking dramatic dunes or a long wilderness trek. The route is rocky, and the views are pleasant rather than vast. Still, the combination of the camel’s slow rhythm, the palm-filled ravine, and the mountain road makes it a memorable way to see an inland corner of the island.

Adding the tapas lunch and farm-style setting

The tapas option is the strongest reason to pay for the upgraded package. After the camel ride and garden visit, you sit in a museum-like dining area decorated with antique Canary Islands farm implements. The setting adds a sense of place that a generic restaurant meal would not.

The exact spread can vary, but descriptions include items such as chicken paella, potatoes, olives, cheese, and other small dishes. Drinks are included with the tapas option, while extra drinks cost more. The food is generally light enough for a warm day, and ingredients may come from the reserve itself.

I like this part because it connects the activity to local food production. Mango and guava products, including homemade jam, may be available to buy. The staff can also offer additional goods and drinks, so be prepared for some selling alongside the hospitality.

The meal is not a formal Canary Islands food tour, and one person found the barbecue description did not match a traditional barbecue. That is a minor point if you approach it as homemade tapas in a rustic setting. The food package adds real value at about $50 per person for the base activity, particularly if you would otherwise need to pay for lunch and transport separately. Check the final price, since the amount changes with the options selected.

Timing, transfers, and the value of the package

The advertised activity lasts three hours, while the detailed program has also been described as four hours. In practice, the hotel-to-hotel outing can take around three hours, but pickup schedules and waiting time may extend it.

This matters if you have a flight, a dinner reservation, or another booked excursion. One person made a flight connection after the tour because the staff helped with the timing. Another waited about an hour after the meal for a return pickup, and one account describes an even longer wait. I would not schedule anything tight afterward.

The included transport option is useful if you are staying in one of the listed southern resorts. It removes the need to navigate the mountain roads and makes this a simple half-day plan. If you have a rental car, driving yourself may give you more control, but the road and entrance can be confusing, so confirm the park name before setting out.

At $50 per person, the ride alone is not the whole value calculation. You are also paying for the garden tour, animal visit, scenic drive, and the option of tapas and drinks. Families should compare the cost of the meal, fuel, and local taxi fares before deciding. The activity feels like good value when you use the transport and tapas options, especially if you want several small experiences in one morning.

Who should book this outing

I would recommend this for families, first-time camel riders, and anyone who wants a change from the southern coast. Children get animals and an unusual ride, while adults get gardens, mountain scenery, and a local-style meal.

It also suits visitors who enjoy small, personal operations. The staff are friendly and involved, and guides speak Spanish, English, and German. Information is given in the languages needed by the group, though the pace and style may feel informal rather than like a polished museum tour.

I would think twice if you dislike animal rides, struggle with heat, or need a guaranteed end time. Pregnant women and people over 275 pounds, or 125 kilograms, should not book. The park is not a shaded attraction, and the ride can become uncomfortable in the midday sun.

Practical tips for a smoother visit

Wear comfortable shoes for the garden paths and uneven ground. In summer, choose light clothing, but long sleeves can protect you from the sun. In winter, bring warmer clothing for the mountain setting.

Pack sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat. The valley may look cool from the coast, but the open riding area can be hot. A water bottle is sensible, although extra drinks can be bought.

Do not bring a drone. Photos and videos are not included, and feeding the camels is also extra. Carry a little spending money if those additions matter to you.

Ask where the return pickup will happen and how long it is expected to take. If you are staying at a large resort, confirm whether the driver comes to the hotel or a nearby location. These small checks prevent the most common frustration with the outing.

Should you book the Camel Safari Park?

Book it if you want an easy, family-friendly inland outing that combines a camel ride with animals, fruit trees, mountain scenery, and tapas. The optional meal and hotel transport make the package especially attractive at around $50, provided you have several hours free.

Skip it if you expect sweeping desert dunes, a private ride, or a tightly timed excursion. The route is rocky, the valley can be very sunny, and waiting for transport is possible. For the right visitor, though, La Baranda offers a relaxed look at Gran Canaria’s rural side, with enough variety to make the camel ride feel like only one part of the day.

FAQ

How long does the Camel Safari Park experience last?

The activity is advertised as three hours, while the detailed program also describes a four-hour version. Hotel pickup and return times can make the total outing longer.

How long is the camel ride?

The camel ride lasts 60 minutes. Some descriptions of the actual ride place it closer to 50 minutes.

Where does the camel safari take place?

It takes place at Camel Safari Park La Baranda in Fataga’s Valley of the Thousand Palms, in the municipality of San Bartolomé de Tirajana.

Is hotel pickup available?

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

Are food and drinks included?

Tapas and drinks are included only when you select the food option. Extra drinks are not included, and the food package is optional.

Can I feed the camels?

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

What languages are spoken?

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

Who should not take this activity?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people weighing over 275 pounds, or 125 kilograms. It is also important to prepare for strong sun and uneven ground.