Gran Canaria: Camel Ride at Camel Safari Park

A camel ride through Maspalomas’ Oasis of the 1,000 Palms gives you a calm, unusual break from Gran Canaria’s busy resort strip. The 30-minute route passes through an oasis developed more than 300 years ago, with tall palms providing the main scenery.

I like that your ticket includes more than the ride: you can see donkeys, goats, peacocks, ducks, birds, and possibly young camels. I also like the quiet garden setting, on-site parking, and the chance to buy fresh tropical juice afterward. The main drawback is the short ride, so this is a gentle outing rather than a full morning adventure, and it is not suitable for anyone over 264 pounds (120 kilograms) or for pregnant women.

Key points to know

• The camel route lasts 30 minutes: Expect a short, easygoing ride rather than a long trek.
• The setting is the main attraction: The route passes through a 300-year-old oasis filled with palms.
• Your ticket includes the park: Feed and see animals, then stroll through the tropical garden.
• The extra costs are modest but real: Drinks and animal food are not included.
• The experience is peaceful: It suits a relaxed half-hour outing more than an action-packed excursion.
• Bring the basics: You need comfortable shoes, a hat, and your passport or ID card.

A camel ride beneath 1,000 palms

The appeal here is simple. You sit high on a camel and move at an unhurried pace through a historic palm oasis in Maspalomas. There is no long drive, demanding walk, or packed schedule to manage. You arrive at the park, check in at reception, and let the setting do much of the work.

The oasis was constructed more than 300 years ago. That gives the ride a stronger sense of place than a camel loop in a bare enclosure. The palms are the visual focus, and the route offers a peaceful contrast to the sun, shops, and hotels associated with southern Gran Canaria.

The ride lasts 30 minutes. That is enough time to enjoy the novelty, take in the palms, and get photographs, but you should set your expectations correctly. If you want a serious animal-riding excursion lasting several hours, this will feel too brief. If you want a memorable activity that fits easily into a day in Maspalomas, the length works well.

What happens at Camel Safari Park La Baranda

You meet at the reception of Camel Safari Park La Baranda. The entrance is signposted, and parking is available on site. The parking area is spacious, although the spaces are not clearly marked, so you may need to look around when you arrive.

At reception, hosts can assist in Spanish, German, or English. The published information does not name individual guides, so you should not book this expecting a tour led by a particular person. The multilingual welcome is useful for international families and mixed-language groups.

You may have a little time around the park before your assigned ride begins. This is where the included admission adds value. You can see the animals, feed them if you buy food on site, or walk through the tropical garden instead of waiting with nothing to do.

The atmosphere is described as peaceful, and the park has a range of smaller animals. You might see donkeys, goats, peacocks, ducks, and birds. Young camels may also be present, depending on the season and whether there are baby camels at the time of your visit.

That seasonal detail matters. The animal selection is not fixed, so you should treat the park as a changing small collection rather than a guaranteed baby-animal encounter. If you are especially interested in young camels, the experience cannot promise that they will be there.

The 30-minute camel route

The camel ride is the center of the outing. Once seated, you follow a route through the palm oasis, with the trees providing shade and the main visual interest. The pace is intended to be relaxed, making this a reasonable choice for people who want an unusual ride without strenuous activity.

You should wear comfortable shoes. A hat is also a smart choice in Gran Canaria’s strong sun, even though the palms may offer some relief. Bring your passport or ID card, as it is listed among the required items for the activity.

The view is more about the oasis than distant scenery. You are looking at rows and clusters of palms, the sandy setting, and the calm movement of the camel beneath you. It is a pleasant place for photographs, especially if you enjoy simple, natural scenes rather than grand viewpoints.

Getting on and off a camel can be the most awkward part for some people. The information provided does not describe the mounting process or specific physical assistance, so anyone with mobility concerns should ask the park directly before booking. Pregnant women cannot take part, and the maximum stated weight is 264 pounds, or 120 kilograms.

The ride is not presented as a lesson in camel care, local agriculture, or Canarian history. It is a short scenic ride with access to a small animal park. That straightforward format is useful if you know what you are paying for, but it may disappoint you if you expect a detailed cultural tour.

The animal park adds useful time

The included park admission makes the $23 price more reasonable. You are not paying only for 30 minutes on a camel. You can also spend time looking at the other animals and walking through the garden before or after the ride.

The animal area gives children something to do, and it can make the visit feel less rushed. You may feed some of the animals, but food for them is not included. Plan on paying extra if feeding is part of what you want from the visit.

The range includes donkeys, goats, peacocks, ducks, and birds. These animals give the stop a friendly, small-farm feel rather than the scale of a major zoo. You may also encounter younger animals, depending on the season.

One practical point is that animal areas can have smells or flies, especially in warm weather. The supplied information does not promise conditions free from either. Still, the setting has been described as comfortable and calm, and the park gives you room to move between the animals, garden, and terrace.

The park is especially useful if you are visiting with children or with someone who is not certain about riding a camel. One person can enjoy the animal areas and tropical garden while another takes part in the ride, although the activity details do not explain whether non-riders receive a separate reduced price.

A tropical garden and juice on the terrace

After the ride, you can stroll through the tropical garden. This is not a separate guided visit, so you can take it at your own pace. The garden gives you a chance to slow down and enjoy the greenery instead of leaving as soon as the camel ride ends.

A tropical juice is available on the terrace, but it costs extra. That drink can be a pleasant way to finish the visit, particularly after sitting in the sun. Do not assume it is included in the $23 price.

The terrace also makes the activity feel more like a short park visit than a single ride. You can use it as a pause in a day of sightseeing, though the available information does not provide a full food menu or describe the range of drinks.

Is $23 good value?

At $23 per person, this is fairly priced if you value the whole visit. The ride itself is only 30 minutes, but admission to the animal park and tropical garden is included. That combination gives you more flexibility than a basic camel ride where you arrive, ride, and leave.

The value is strongest for families, couples, and first-time camel riders who want a short activity. You can see several types of animals, possibly feed them for an extra charge, walk in the garden, and buy a drink on the terrace. The park also provides a calm setting for photographs.

The value is weaker if your main goal is a long camel journey. Thirty minutes passes quickly, and the route is designed as a short ride through the oasis. You are paying for a compact experience with several small elements, not an all-day excursion.

There are no listed food or drinks included. Add those costs if you plan to buy tropical juice or animal food. The basic price is still easy to understand, which helps when comparing it with longer excursions around Gran Canaria.

Who will enjoy this park most?

I would recommend this for families who want an activity that is easy to fit into a Maspalomas day. The animal park gives children something to explore, while the camel ride provides the memorable centerpiece. The short length also helps if younger children have limited patience.

It works well for couples looking for a quiet outing. The palm oasis creates a more relaxed setting than a busy resort attraction, and the terrace offers a natural place to sit afterward. The peaceful character is one of the strongest reasons to choose this activity.

It also suits first-time camel riders. You get the experience without committing to a long route or a full-day tour. The 30-minute format lets you try something different while keeping plenty of time for other plans.

I would think twice if you dislike animal rides, need a fully accessible activity, or want a detailed guided explanation of the oasis. The available information does not describe accessibility arrangements, group size, or the level of commentary during the ride, so ask before booking if those points matter to you.

Practical tips for a smoother visit

Wear shoes you can sit and walk in comfortably. You may spend time moving around the park and garden, not just sitting on the camel. A hat is worth bringing, and Gran Canaria’s sun makes it sensible to protect yourself even during a short outing.

Keep your passport or ID card with you, since it is specifically listed as something to bring. The park accepts Spanish, German, and English for hosting and greetings, which should make basic communication straightforward for many visitors.

Look for the entrance signs as you approach. Finding the venue is not especially difficult, but the parking layout is not clearly marked. There is plenty of room in the parking area, depending on how busy the park is.

Allow more than exactly 30 minutes if you want to see the animals and garden. The ride lasts half an hour, while the included admission gives you reasons to arrive a little early or stay afterward. Your total visit can therefore feel more substantial than the ride time suggests.

If your plans might change, you can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is useful when you are arranging several activities in Gran Canaria.

The main tradeoff: charm versus scale

The park’s strength is its modest size and calm pace. You get a palm-filled setting, a short camel ride, friendly animals, and a garden without having to dedicate an entire day. That makes it easy to combine with other plans in Maspalomas.

The tradeoff is that nothing here is on a grand scale. The ride is short, the animal collection varies, and the activity does not promise a long talk or a major cultural program. You will enjoy it most if you see it as a pleasant local stop rather than a headline excursion.

Animal care is also a fair consideration. One recent assessment specifically described the camels as well cared for, which is encouraging, but the supplied details do not provide formal welfare standards or explain the animals’ daily routines. If animal welfare is central to your decision, ask the provider direct questions before reserving.

Should you book the Camel Safari Park?

Book it if you want a short, scenic camel ride in a historic palm oasis, especially if you like having animals and a garden included in the same ticket. The $23 price is reasonable for the combination, and the peaceful setting gives the visit more appeal than the ride duration alone suggests.

Skip it if you want a long trek, extensive history, or a tightly structured guided tour. For most people, the best way to judge this activity is to treat it as a relaxed half-day add-on in Maspalomas. Bring a hat, allow time for the park, and keep a little extra money for animal food or tropical juice.

FAQ

How long does the camel ride last?

The camel ride lasts 30 minutes.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at the reception of Camel Safari Park La Baranda.

What does the ticket include?

The ticket includes the 30-minute camel ride and admission to the park, including the animal areas and tropical garden.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are not included, although tropical juice is available to buy on the terrace.

Is food for the animals included?

No. Food for the animals is not included and must be purchased separately if you want to feed them.

What animals can I see at the park?

You can see donkeys, goats, peacocks, ducks, and birds. Baby camels may be present, depending on the season and whether there are young camels at the park.

What languages are available?

The hosts or greeters speak Spanish, German, and English.

What should I bring?

Bring your passport or ID card, comfortable shoes, and a hat.

Who cannot take the camel ride?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or anyone weighing more than 264 pounds, or 120 kilograms.