Camel Ride in Fataga with Tapas and drinks

In Fataga, the camel ride takes you past old palms and into a stony mountain valley, a very different outing from a beach day in southern Gran Canaria. Back at the park, you can stroll among fruit trees and farm animals before sitting down to tapas.

I like two things here: the mix of a guided ride and time in a working garden, and the meal, which can include produce grown on the grounds. The setting gives the outing more character than a ride alone, and the group limit of 15 helps keep it small.

One point to weigh: the advertised four hours may be longer than your actual visit. The camel ride itself is described as one hour, while some schedules have taken about two and a half hours from arrival to departure. Getting to the park also takes planning, especially if you are relying on the infrequent bus service.

At a glance

• Camel ride through Fataga’s palm valley: The route passes through a mountain gorge, with views toward Pico de las Nieves on clear days.
• One-hour ride listed: The route may take roughly 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the outing.
• Garden and farm animals: The 10,000-square-meter park has tropical fruit trees, camels, donkeys, peacocks, and parrots.
• Tapas and drinks included: Lunch is described as typical Canarian tapas, with a drink.
• Small group: The maximum group size is 15 people.
• A few limits to plan around: The ride is not recommended for people with back problems, and riders must weigh no more than 120 kilograms.

A camel ride in the Valley of a Thousand Palms

The main draw is the ride through the palm valley near Fataga, known as the Valle de Las Mil Palmeras, or Valley of a Thousand Palms. The route heads into a rugged mountain gorge, where tall palms and rocky slopes create an unexpected contrast with Gran Canaria’s familiar coast.

The ride is guided, and the local guide may point out caves that could have been inhabited in Neolithic times. That kind of detail adds a human thread to what might otherwise be a pleasant but simple loop through the valley. On clear days, you may also see Pico de las Nieves, the island’s highest peak.

Expect a slow ride rather than a fast-moving adventure. You sit astride a camel as it follows the route, and the pace leaves time to take in the terrain. The path is described as stony, and the route may turn around and return along the same way. If you picture a long trek through ever-changing scenery, adjust that expectation: the ride is about the animal and the setting, not distance.

The ride is listed as one hour. In practice, the time can vary, with accounts of rides lasting from around 30 minutes to close to an hour. It is worth treating the hour as an estimate, rather than a guaranteed duration. Every participant is also given a license to drive camels and dromedaries, an unusual souvenir of the outing.

La Baranda’s garden, animals, and farm-style setting

The park covers about 10,000 square meters and is more than a camel stop. A guided walk takes you through tropical gardens with fruit trees such as papaya, mango, and guava. The grounds also include farm animals, peacocks, and parrots, giving you a reason to linger before or after the ride.

This is a small, informal place, not a grand botanical collection. If you are expecting a carefully labeled botanical garden with a long walking route, you may find the garden modest. The trees and plants are part of the park’s own setting, and the visit is better understood as a relaxed look around an oasis than a formal garden tour.

The animals add variety, especially for families. You may have the chance to see or feed a baby camel and donkeys, though feeding a baby camel can cost extra. Photos with a camel may also be available for an additional fee. Ask what is included before agreeing to add-ons, since the ride, garden tour, tapas, and drink are the core inclusions.

The restaurant’s dining room is decorated with old Canarian farm tools. It gives the meal a local, working-farm feel rather than the polish of a resort restaurant. Tapas are described as fresh and tasty, with ingredients from the grounds used in the food and drinks. The precise dishes can vary, so do not book expecting a fixed menu or a particular plate.

Tapas turn the ride into a half-day outing

At $57.67 per person, the price buys more than a camel ride. You get the ride, a guided garden tour, typical Canarian tapas for lunch, and a drink. If you value a few different activities in one place, the package can be good value, especially compared with arranging transport and meals separately.

The value depends on how much time you spend at the park and what you expect from lunch. Tapas are a sampler-style meal, not a full banquet, and one account describes a small plate. The food has earned especially warm praise, and fresh garden produce gives it a connection to the place. Still, if you want a substantial lunch, check what is being served and consider whether you may want to eat again later.

There has been some confusion over meal formats: a barbecue was replaced by a tapas plate for one booking. The experience described here includes tapas, not a barbecue, so confirm the meal details if you have seen another offer or are comparing packages. The drink is included, while smoothies and other treats may be available at the park. Extras such as camel feeding and souvenir photos are not part of the stated inclusions.

The warm service is another reason the visit can feel personal. Staff members Anita and Mary have been singled out for kind, flexible help. One birthday visit included a cake and party hats, while another group had its ride moved earlier to catch a bus. These touches are not guaranteed, but they show the value of a small operation where staff can sometimes adapt to a visitor’s needs.

Timing and transport need a little thought

The outing starts at 11:00 a.m. at Camel Safari Park La Baranda, on the road toward Fataga at kilometer 12. The activity ends back at the meeting point. Although the listed duration is about four hours, some visits have taken around two and a half hours in total. Build flexibility into your day rather than planning around a precise finish time.

The park is outside the main resort areas, so transport is part of the decision. Bus 18 has been noted as stopping nearby for people coming from Maspalomas, but service is infrequent. Check the current timetable before you set out, and leave enough time for the return journey. The operator has also helped arrange a taxi back to a resort when asked in advance, but do not assume that a ride will be available without arranging it.

The group maximum of 15 makes this more intimate than a large coach outing. It also means the ride and garden visit should feel manageable as a small-group activity, though exact group sizes can vary. If your plans depend on a particular departure or return time, contact the operator in advance rather than relying on an exact schedule.

Road access can occasionally be disrupted. A road closure has prevented an outing from taking place, with money refunded in that case. The activity also depends on good weather. If poor weather cancels it, you are offered another date or a full refund. For other cancellations, you can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.

Who will enjoy this outing, and who may not

This suits you if you want a gentle, unusual excursion away from the coast, enjoy animals, or like the idea of pairing a short outdoor activity with a local-style lunch. Families may appreciate the camels, donkeys, and birds, and children under four get free entry. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

It is not the best fit if you have back problems, since the activity is not recommended for you. There is also a maximum rider weight of 120 kilograms. The ride involves sitting on a camel over uneven terrain, so consider your comfort with that before booking.

If your priority is a long ride through varied terrain, the route may feel brief or repetitive. The camel returns along the same path after turning around, and the ride time can vary. If, instead, you want a relaxed visit with animals, a garden, mountain scenery, and tapas, the combination makes more sense.

The park is also a reasonable choice if you have already seen the dunes near Maspalomas and want a different kind of camel outing. This is not a desert ride. It is a mountain-valley excursion in a small farm setting, with tropical plants and a meal added to the experience.

Should you book the Fataga camel ride?

Book it if you are drawn to the palm valley, want a small-group camel ride, and would enjoy having garden time and tapas included. The best parts are the mountain setting, the chance to see the park’s animals, and the friendly, personal style of service. At $57.67, the package offers fair value if you plan to make time for the whole visit.

Skip it if you expect a long, changing route, a large lunch, or a tightly timed four-hour schedule. Check transport before you commit, especially if you plan to use the bus, and keep the ride’s variable length in mind. For a relaxed half-day outside the resort zone, it is a worthwhile way to see a quieter corner of Gran Canaria.

FAQ

Where does the camel ride start?

It starts at Camel Safari Park La Baranda, on the road toward Fataga at kilometer 12, in Fataga, Las Palmas. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

What time does the activity start?

The stated start time is 11:00 a.m.

How long is the camel ride?

The ride is listed as one hour. Actual ride times can vary, with outings taking roughly 30 to 60 minutes.

What is included in the price?

The stated inclusions are a one-hour camel ride, a guided tour through the tropical garden, typical Canarian tapas for lunch, and a drink.

Is there a maximum group size?

Yes. The activity has a maximum of 15 participants.

Can children take part?

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Children under four years old get free entry.

Are there any health or weight restrictions?

The activity is not recommended for participants with back problems. The maximum rider weight is 120 kilograms.