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

A camel ride through the Oasis of the 1,000 Palms takes you along a rocky route in a mountain ravine, past a garden created more than 300 years ago. The ride is the headline, but the visit also includes time among fruit trees, camels, donkeys, and other farm animals at Camel Safari Park La Baranda.

I like the mix of outdoor time and a small-scale farm visit: you can see papaya, mango, and guava growing, then explore the gardens with a guide. I also like that you can add a tapas meal and hotel transport, turning a short ride into a relaxed half-day outing.

One thing to plan for is the full sun. The camel route has little shade, and a midday ride can feel hot, so bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. The ride may also feel quite slow if you are expecting a fast-moving adventure.

Key points before you book

• The camel ride lasts about an hour: Expect a gentle pace along a rocky path in the ravine.
• The oasis is a real working garden: Its 10,000 square meters include tropical plants and fruit trees such as papaya, mango, and guava.
• There is more to do than ride: You can see the camels and other farm animals, and walk the gardens with a guide.
• Tapas and hotel transport are optional: Check that your selected package includes both, rather than assuming they come with the base price.
• The route is exposed to the sun: Comfortable shoes, sunscreen, and suitable clothing matter here.
• It is not suitable for everyone: The activity excludes pregnant women and people weighing more than 275 pounds (125 kilograms).

From the southern resorts to a mountain ravine

The safari starts at Camel Safari Park La Baranda, in the nature reserve of Fataga. If you choose the transport option, pickup is available at hotels in Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, Meloneras, San Agustín, and Bahia Feliz, or at a nearby meeting point. The drive out is part of the outing: the park sits inland, away from the beach resort strip, and the route passes through mountain scenery.

Allow around three hours for the experience as a whole, though the exact pace and transfer time can vary. Some accounts describe a drive of roughly 30 minutes from Playa del Inglés, followed by a visit of several hours. The supplied activity information also describes the program as four hours in one place, so it is wise to check the confirmed start and end times for your date, especially if you have a flight or another fixed plan.

The road through the hills can feel winding. That is part of the journey to the oasis, not a reason to rush the driver. If you are prone to motion sickness, consider your usual precautions before setting off.

The Oasis of the 1,000 Palms

La Baranda is set in a ravine near the Valley of the Thousand Palms, with the garden spread across about 10,000 square meters. Its palm-filled setting offers a clear change of pace from the hotels and busy resort streets. The oasis is said to have been constructed more than 300 years ago, and the visit gives you a chance to see the cultivated side of this dry, mountainous part of Gran Canaria.

A guide takes you through the tropical gardens, where you may see papaya, mango, and guava trees, as well as flowers and other plants. This garden walk gives the camel ride some context: the safari is not just a loop on an animal, but a visit to a small farm and oasis with its own produce and animals. If you enjoy hearing how a place is used and cared for, make time to ask questions.

The grounds are a gentle, informal stop rather than a large botanical garden. Go in expecting a compact farm visit, not a grand collection of landscaped displays. The appeal is the contrast between tropical fruit trees and the dry valley around them, plus the chance to stroll at a slower pace.

Meeting the camels and other animals

You have time to see the camels before riding, and the park also keeps a variety of farm animals, including donkeys. Depending on what is available during your visit, you may be able to feed or interact with some of them. Animal feed is not included, so ask about the cost before buying it. Feeding is not required to take part in the safari.

The animals are a major part of the outing, especially if you are visiting with children or have an interest in farm life. Some visitors describe the camels as calm and tolerant, and the staff as friendly and attentive. That is reassuring, though it is still worth remembering that you are interacting with working animals. Follow the handlers’ directions, give the animals room, and do not treat feeding or touching as automatic.

The experience includes a camel visit, but photos and videos are not included. You may be offered the chance to buy a photo, so bring cash or another payment method if having a picture matters to you. Extra drinks are also separate from the included package.

What the one-hour camel ride is really like

The included ride lasts 60 minutes, although some accounts describe the time on the camel as closer to 50 minutes. It follows a rocky path through the valley, with mountain views and a distinctly different perspective from the road. The pace is measured. That suits a calm, scenic outing, but it may disappoint anyone hoping for a long trek or a fast ride.

Camel riding can feel unusual at first, particularly when the animal stands or sits. If you are nervous, take your time and listen to the handler. One visitor described being frightened at the start and comfortable by the end, a useful reminder that the first few moments can feel strange without making the whole ride difficult.

The route is exposed, and the canyon offers little or no shade. A midday departure in hot weather can be tiring, especially during an hour outdoors. Wear a hat and sunglasses, apply sunscreen before the ride, and choose light clothing in summer. In winter, bring warmer layers. Comfortable shoes are recommended for walking around the gardens and farm.

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or anyone over 275 pounds (125 kilograms). If either point applies to you, do not assume that a different camel or seating arrangement will make the ride possible. Confirm suitability before booking.

Tapas made with local ingredients

The optional tapas meal is one of the strongest reasons to choose the fuller package. It is served in a museum-like setting with antique farm tools from the Canary Islands on display. The food may include a selection such as cheese, olives, potatoes, chicken paella, and other local or homemade items. Exact dishes can vary, and not every item will suit every palate.

The food is often described as a generous and enjoyable finish, with some ingredients sourced or made at the reserve. Homemade drinks and preserves, including mango or guava jam, may also be available to buy. This adds a local-food element to an outing that might otherwise be just a camel ride and transfer.

Tapas and drinks are included only if you select the appropriate option. Check the package details when you book, and remember that extra drinks are not included. If you have dietary needs, the available information does not specify a menu or accommodation policy, so contact the operator before relying on the meal.

Is the price good value?

At about $50 per person, the base price is reasonable if you want a distinctive activity with a 60-minute ride, a garden visit, and time with the animals. The optional meal and transport can improve the value, particularly if you are staying in one of the listed resort areas and would otherwise need to arrange your own way to the park.

The best comparison is not simply the cost of a camel ride. You are paying for several parts of a half-day outing: the garden walk, animal visit, scenic inland drive if you select pickup, and the opportunity to have tapas on site. If you only want a brief ride, the full visit may feel longer than necessary. If you like combining a gentle outdoor activity with food and a change of scenery, the package makes more sense.

Allow room in your budget for extras. Photos, videos, additional drinks, and animal feed are excluded. Packages differ, so check whether your chosen price includes tapas and hotel transfers before you compare it with other activities.

Who will enjoy this safari most?

This is a good fit if you want an easygoing outing outside the resort area, enjoy seeing animals, or are looking for something different from a beach day. Families may appreciate the variety: gardens, camels, donkeys, a ride, and an optional meal give children and adults several things to focus on. The ride itself is not especially demanding, but you should be comfortable spending an hour outdoors in the sun.

It also suits anyone who likes a little local context with an activity. The old oasis, fruit trees, farm animals, and displays of traditional farm implements give the visit more character than a ride alone. The staff speak Spanish, English, and German, which can help make the guided portion easier to follow.

Skip it if you dislike animal rides, want a strenuous trek, or have little tolerance for heat. It is also not appropriate for pregnant women or people above the stated weight limit. And if a tightly timed schedule matters, confirm your transfer arrangements and expected return time. Some outings can leave you with extra time at the park, which may be welcome if you want to look around, but less convenient if you have a deadline.

Booking details worth checking

The activity is listed as three hours, but the actual time can depend on the selected option and transport. Confirm your start time, pickup point, and whether the tapas meal and transfers are included. Pickup is offered in several southern resort areas, sometimes at a nearby location rather than directly outside your hotel.

Spanish, English, and German are the listed languages. Comfortable shoes are recommended, and drones are not allowed. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option can help if your plans are not settled.

Should you book the camel safari?

Book it if you want a gentle, varied half-day outing with a camel ride, tropical garden, farm animals, and the option of tapas. The meal and hotel transfer make the package especially appealing if you value convenience and want more than a short ride.

Think twice if you are seeking a long, adventurous trek or would rather avoid animal rides. And if you choose a hot-weather departure, prepare for the sun rather than hoping the valley will provide shade. For the right expectations, this is a good-value way to see a quieter, inland corner of Gran Canaria.

FAQ

How long is the camel ride?

The included ride is 60 minutes. Some accounts describe the time riding as closer to 50 minutes, so the exact duration may vary.

How long does the full activity take?

It is listed as a three-hour activity, though another program description gives four hours. Check the confirmed schedule for your selected option, especially if you have a time-sensitive plan.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included if you select that option. Service is available at hotels in Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, Meloneras, San Agustín, and Bahia Feliz, or at a nearby location.

Is tapas included in the price?

Tapas with drinks are included only if you choose the option that includes the meal. Extra drinks are not included.

What should I bring?

Wear comfortable shoes. In summer, choose light clothing and bring sunscreen and sunglasses. A hat is useful because the camel route has little shade. In winter, wear warmer clothing.

Can I feed the camels?

Camel feeding is not included. Feed may be available to buy at the park, so ask about the cost before you offer it.

Who is this activity not suitable for?

It is not suitable for pregnant women or people weighing more than 275 pounds (125 kilograms).