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

The unusual part of this outing is not just the camel ride. It is the setting: a 300-year-old palm oasis spread through a mountain ravine, with papaya, mango, and guava trees growing beside camels, donkeys, and other farm animals. I like the mix of hands-on animal time and a guided garden walk, and I especially like the optional tapas meal served among old Canarian farm tools.

The main drawback is the heat. The camel route has little or no shade, and the midday ride can feel long in full sun. You should also know that extras such as camel food, photographs, and additional drinks cost more. Still, at about $50 per person, this is a fairly priced half-day outing if you want something away from the resort strip.

Key points to know before booking

• A one-hour camel ride: Follow a rocky route through the ravine and oasis, usually with two people sharing a camel.
• A working fruit garden: See tropical plants and fruit trees including papaya, mango, and guava.
• Friendly farm animals: You can meet camels, donkeys, baby animals, and other residents of the park.
• Optional local tapas: Add a meal with drinks, served in a museum-like room filled with old Canarian farm equipment.
• Southern-resort pickup: Transport can be arranged from Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, Meloneras, San Agustín, and Bahia Feliz, or from a nearby meeting point.
• Sun protection matters: Wear sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and light clothing in summer. Long sleeves and trousers can help protect you from the sun.

A mountain drive from Maspalomas to Fataga

The experience begins with pickup, if you select the transport option. Collection is available from several resorts in southern Gran Canaria, including Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, Meloneras, San Agustín, and Bahia Feliz. Some bookings use a nearby pickup point instead of the exact hotel entrance, so check the meeting instructions carefully.

The drive to Camel Safari Park La Baranda takes you away from the busy hotel zone and into the mountains around San Bartolomé de Tirajana. Several people have singled out the road itself for its mountain views, though one person described parts of the route as a little hairy. That is useful context: this is a scenic island drive, not a quick shuttle along a flat coastal road.

I like having the transfer included because it removes the need to find the park yourself. It also makes the experience easier for families and anyone who does not want to rent a car. On the other hand, the total timing can be less exact than the advertised activity length. The park portion is about three hours, but pickup, waiting, and the return journey can make the full outing longer.

If you are on a tight schedule, especially before a flight, tell the staff in advance. One person with a later departure said the guides made sure the return to the hotel worked in time. That is encouraging, but I would still avoid booking this too close to an airport transfer.

Entering the 10,000-square-meter oasis

Camel Safari Park La Baranda sits in the Valley of the Thousand Palms, also known as Camellos. The reserve covers about 10,000 square meters and has the feel of a small rural estate rather than a large amusement park. That scale is part of its charm. You are not being rushed through a long attraction with dozens of separate displays.

The first part usually includes a safety briefing and an introduction to the animals. You can visit the camels, learn a little about how they are cared for, and see other farm animals around the grounds. Donkeys, baby camels, and a comic parrot have all been noted as memorable parts of the visit.

Camel feeding is not included in the basic price. Food for the animals is available as an extra, reported by one person as costing €3. If feeding animals is important to you, bring a little extra money and confirm the current price on arrival. The regular admission does include the camel visit, but not the additional feed.

I appreciate this slower start. It gives you time to get used to the animals before climbing onto a camel, which can help children or first-time riders feel less nervous. One first-time rider described being scared at the beginning but comfortable by the end. Staff are reported to be gentle and reassuring, and the animals are generally described as calm and well cared for.

Walking among papaya, mango, and guava trees

The garden tour is more interesting than the word garden might suggest. You are not simply looking at decorative flowers. The guide takes you through tropical plants and fruit trees, including papaya, mango, and guava, while explaining the oasis and its produce.

This is a good part of the outing for anyone who wants a little context about rural Gran Canaria. The island is often sold through beaches and resort pools, but its interior has small agricultural spaces fed by old water systems and shaped by the ravines. The oasis shows a quieter side of the island without requiring a full-day hike.

The guide may also point out how ingredients used in the meal are grown or prepared on the property. One visit included homemade mango and guava jam for sale. That kind of detail gives the place a stronger local feel than a standard animal ride in a purpose-built desert attraction.

The exact amount of time spent walking can vary. Some people have found there was plenty of time to wander around the grounds before or after the ride. That is good if you enjoy taking photographs and looking closely at the plants. It can feel slow if you expect continuous action from the moment you arrive.

The one-hour camel ride through the ravine

The central activity is a camel ride lasting about 60 minutes. In practice, the ride itself may feel closer to 50 minutes depending on the day and the group. You sit on a camel and follow a rocky path through the oasis and the surrounding valley, with mountains rising around the route.

The scenery is appealing, but keep expectations sensible. This is not a vast Sahara-style expedition. The route passes through a cultivated oasis and rocky mountain terrain, and the views are different from anything along the southern beaches. I would describe it as a pleasant, unusual ride in a striking rural setting, not a wilderness safari.

Most important, you should prepare for direct sun. The canyon has limited shade, and the midday departure can be especially warm. Wear comfortable shoes, apply sunscreen before you arrive, and bring sunglasses and a hat. Long sleeves and trousers are practical in winter and can also protect your skin in summer, though light clothing is recommended for hot weather.

Two people commonly share a camel. One person questioned the comfort of placing two adults on one animal, even though the animals can reportedly carry much more weight. The listed weight limit for participants is 275 pounds, or 125 kilograms, and pregnant women are not permitted to take part. If you have concerns about riding arrangements, ask the staff before the ride begins.

Getting on and off a camel can feel awkward because of the animal’s height and movement. The safety briefing is important, especially for children and first-time riders. Staff members have been praised for handling the camels calmly, and one long-time ranch worker was described as gentle and patient with the animals.

Tapas in a room filled with Canarian farm tools

The tapas option is the part I would add for most people. It turns a short animal activity into a fuller half-day outing, and the food has received some of the warmest comments. The meal is served in a museum-like setting decorated with antique farm implements from the Canary Islands.

The exact spread can vary, but examples include potatoes, olives, cheese, chicken paella, other prepared dishes, and a drink. Some ingredients come from the reserve or are made there, including preserves and homemade drinks. The food is not presented as a formal restaurant meal, but as a generous taste of simple island cooking.

I like that the meal connects to the place. You have just seen the fruit trees and farm animals, then sit down among tools that reflect an older rural way of life. It gives the visit a sense of place that the camel ride alone would lack.

Do not expect every dish to suit every palate. One person loved most of the food but found some items less appealing. Another noted that the meal was tasty but not quite a traditional barbecue. That is fair. Think of it as a casual tapas lunch with local touches, not a polished fine-dining experience.

Additional drinks are not included, so budget for those if you want more than the drink included with the meal option. The staff may also offer homemade products for sale, such as jam. That can be a nice souvenir, but you are under no obligation to buy anything.

How much value do you get for about $50?

At around $50 per person, the basic package is reasonably priced for a one-hour camel ride plus access to the park, the garden visit, and the animal area. The value improves if you enjoy several different activities rather than treating this as a simple ride.

The transport option adds practical value. A return drive from the southern resorts saves you from navigating mountain roads and makes the outing workable for families without a car. The tapas upgrade is also worth considering because the meal adds time, food, and a cultural element to the visit.

The price is less attractive if your only goal is riding a camel for a few minutes. This is not a quick photo stop. You are paying for the rural setting, the garden tour, animal encounters, transport if selected, and the meal if added.

Photographs are not included. Photos cost extra, and camel food also costs extra. The activity can therefore become more expensive than the headline price if you add every option. I suggest deciding in advance which extras matter to you.

Who will enjoy this outing most?

I would recommend this experience to families, couples, and anyone who wants a break from the beaches and hotel pools. Children can meet animals, walk through the garden, and enjoy the novelty of riding a camel. Families with children from about preschool age through the teenage years have found the combination broad enough to keep different ages interested.

It also suits visitors who prefer an easy organized excursion rather than a demanding outdoor activity. The ride is guided, the route is arranged, and the staff speak Spanish, English, and German. Several people have praised the friendliness and patience of the team, including the driver Javier.

You should think twice if you dislike heat, have difficulty mounting an animal, or want a dramatic desert expedition. Pregnant women cannot participate, and the maximum listed weight is 275 pounds, or 125 kilograms. Comfortable shoes are required, and drones are not allowed.

The park can also work well for people with limited time, but do not assume the schedule will run like a train timetable. One person waited about an hour for a return pickup, and another reported waiting as long as two hours. Those delays may give you more time to look around, but they are inconvenient if you have a dinner reservation or flight.

Practical tips for a smoother visit

• Wear closed, comfortable shoes for the rocky ground.
• Use sunscreen before leaving the hotel and carry more for later.
• Bring sunglasses and a hat. A long-sleeved shirt is useful in strong sun.
• Choose a morning departure if you can, since the canyon offers little shade.
• Budget extra money for camel food, photographs, and additional drinks.
• Confirm the pickup point, especially if your hotel is not directly on the listed route.
• If you are booking the tapas option, allow extra time after the ride for the meal.
• Tell the staff about timing needs before the excursion begins.
• Keep expectations realistic: the ride is scenic and unusual, but not a long expedition into empty desert.

The booking terms are flexible. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. Check the available start times because the experience is listed as lasting about three hours, while some schedules and transport arrangements may take longer.

Should you book the Camel Safari Park?

I would book it if you want a friendly, slightly old-fashioned day out with several small experiences bundled together. The best parts are the peaceful palm oasis, the chance to meet and feed animals, the fruit garden, and the homemade-style tapas. The camel ride is the hook, but the setting and food are what make the outing feel worthwhile.

I would skip it if you want shade, a fast-moving adventure, or a long ride across untouched desert. The sun is serious, two people may share one camel, and pickup delays can happen.

For most visitors staying in Gran Canaria’s southern resorts, this is a good-value choice when you come prepared for heat and select the transport and tapas options. I would choose an earlier time, wear long sleeves, and keep the rest of the day free enough to enjoy the park without watching the clock.

FAQ

How long does the Camel Safari Park experience last?

The advertised activity lasts about three hours, though pickup, transport, waiting, and the tapas meal can make the full hotel-to-hotel outing longer.

How long is the camel ride?

The included camel ride lasts 60 minutes, although the time on the animal may vary slightly by group and schedule.

Where does the camel ride take place?

The ride takes place at Camel Safari Park La Baranda in the Valley of the Thousand Palms, near San Bartolomé de Tirajana and Fataga.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off can be selected for hotels in Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, Meloneras, San Agustín, and Bahia Feliz, or at a nearby meeting point.

Is tapas included in the price?

Tapas with drinks are included only when you select the meal option. The basic experience does not include the tapas meal.

What food is served with the tapas option?

The food can include dishes such as potatoes, olives, cheese, chicken paella, and other local items. Ingredients may come from the reserve, and homemade jams or drinks may also be available.

Can I feed the camels and other animals?

You can feed the animals, but camel feeding is not included in the standard price. Animal food is available as an extra.

What languages are spoken during the activity?

The staff and guides provide service in Spanish, English, and German.

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.