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

The unusual part of this Gran Canaria outing is not only the camel ride. You also visit a 300-year-old palm oasis in the Fataga ravine, where papaya, mango, and guava trees grow beside camels, donkeys, and other farm animals. I like the mix of a gentle outdoor adventure and a small working ranch, rather than a ride with nothing to do before or after.

I also like the homemade tapas option and the easy hotel transfer from Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, Meloneras, San Agustín, and Bahia Feliz. The main drawback is the sun: the camel route has little shade, and the ride can feel long in the midday heat. Wear a hat, sunscreen, and light clothing, or choose warm layers in winter.

Key points to know before booking

• A full hour on the camel: The ride passes through the Oasis of the 1,000 Palms on rocky paths between the mountains.
• More than a camel ride: You tour tropical gardens and can see or feed camels, donkeys, and other farm animals.
• Tapas add real value: The optional meal includes locally sourced food and drinks in a museum-like room filled with old Canarian farm tools.
• Transport saves hassle: Pickup and return are available from major resorts in southern Gran Canaria.
• Expect direct sales: Photos, animal feed, extra drinks, and homemade products cost extra.
• Not for everyone: Pregnant women and people over 275 pounds, or 125 kilograms, cannot take part.

Arriving in Fataga’s palm-filled ravine

The park is in the Fataga area of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, away from the main resort strip. If you choose transport, your day begins with a hotel pickup or a nearby meeting point in one of the listed southern resorts.

The drive itself is part of the outing. One pickup account describes a roughly 30-minute trip over the mountain roads, with wide views along the way. Those roads can feel twisty, especially if you are not used to Gran Canaria’s ravines, but the drive gives you a clear sense of how quickly the island changes from resort town to dry mountain country.

Check your pickup details carefully. There is more than one camel attraction along the road, and stopping at the wrong place would be an annoying start. The transfer option is especially useful if you do not have a rental car, though return timing can be loose. One person waited about an hour after finishing the meal, and another reported a two-hour wait. That is not typical for everyone, but I would avoid scheduling a flight, dinner reservation, or other fixed plan immediately afterward.

The park itself covers about 10,000 square meters. It is not a large zoo or theme park. Think of it as a small rural property with gardens, animals, camel facilities, and a dining room that also works as a display space for antique Canarian farm equipment.

Meeting the camels before the ride

You receive a safety briefing before the riding section. The staff speak Spanish, English, and German, and guides work with mixed-language groups. One driver praised by name is Javier, while other visitors have singled out a friendly female driver and the owner who leads the garden walk.

Before mounting, you get a chance to see the camels up close. This is one of the strongest parts of the experience for me because it slows the pace down. You are not simply placed on an animal and sent away. You can observe the camels, learn how the staff handle them, and in some cases feed them if you pay for the optional feed.

The animals are a major part of the appeal. Camels and donkeys are kept at the park, and you may also encounter other farm animals. Children often get more from this section than from the ride itself because they can watch, approach, and interact with the animals at ground level.

There is a practical point here. Animal feeding is not included in the advertised price. Feed costs extra, as do the souvenir photographs and videos. If you want to keep costs under control, enjoy the animal visit and skip the extras. If feeding the animals is important to your family, bring a little extra money.

A walk through the 1,000 Palms oasis

The garden walk gives the experience its sense of place. The oasis was constructed more than 300 years ago and sits in a narrow ravine surrounded by the dry mountain country of Gran Canaria. That contrast is what makes the visit interesting: palms and fruit trees appear in a setting that otherwise feels rugged and sun-baked.

Your guide points out tropical plants and fruit trees such as papaya, mango, and guava. The gardens are not polished botanical gardens with long interpretive signs. They feel more like a productive rural oasis, where plants, animals, and old farming traditions share the same space.

I find this part valuable because it adds context to the camel ride. You learn that the park is not just a staging area for photos. It presents a small slice of island agriculture, with fruit growing on the property and homemade products available to buy. Mango and guava jam are among the items you might find for sale.

The walk also offers a break from sitting on the camel. The ground can be uneven, so comfortable shoes matter. Sunglasses and sunscreen are useful throughout the visit, and a long-sleeved shirt is sensible if you burn easily.

The 60-minute camel ride

The riding portion lasts about an hour, though a few schedules and personal accounts describe closer to 50 minutes. You ride through the oasis and out into the surrounding ravine, following rocky paths between the mountains.

This is not a fast safari. The camels move at a steady walking pace, and the experience is about the odd sensation of riding high above the ground, the mountain views, and the chance to try something you will not find at most European resorts.

You may share a camel with another person. One account raised a concern about two adults riding together, even though the stated weight limit for participation is 275 pounds, or 125 kilograms, per person. If you are uncomfortable sharing, ask the operator what arrangement is planned before booking. The supplied information does not promise one camel per rider.

The first few moments can be startling. Mounting and dismounting involve the camel rising and lowering, so you lean forward and backward as instructed. After that, the pace is calm. Staff members accompany the group and help riders who feel nervous. Several comments describe the camel handlers as gentle and reassuring.

Heat is the biggest issue. The route is in a canyon with limited shade, and the midday session can be demanding in full sun. Wear light clothes in summer, cover your shoulders if needed, and take sunscreen seriously. In winter, bring warmer clothing because the mountain setting can feel cooler than the coast.

The scenery is appealing, but keep your expectations in check. This is not a vast desert expedition or a remote wilderness ride. The route runs through a cultivated oasis and nearby mountain terrain. You get views that are different from those around the beach resorts, but the ride remains a controlled, organized activity.

The tapas meal and old farm tools

If you select the food option, the meal follows the animal visit and camel ride. You sit in a museum-like setting decorated with antique farm implements from the Canary Islands. That room gives the meal more character than a standard snack stop.

The menu can include a selection of tapas, potatoes, olives, cheese, chicken paella, and other homemade dishes. Drinks are included with the tapas option, but additional drinks cost extra. The exact selection may vary, so do not book it expecting a fixed restaurant menu.

The food receives especially strong praise, and I can see why it improves the value of the outing. Without lunch, you are paying mainly for the camel ride, garden visit, and animal encounter. With tapas, the day becomes a compact cultural and food experience as well.

The meal is not always the same for every palate. One person found some dishes excellent but did not care for everything served. Another expected a barbecue but received a tasty prepared meal instead. The sensible approach is to view it as a generous local-style tasting rather than a formal restaurant lunch.

This is also where you may see homemade drinks and products for sale. Staff can be keen to sell photos, refreshments, feed, and preserves. That is not unusual for a small attraction, but it means your final cost can rise above the advertised price if you say yes to every extra.

How much value do you get for $50?

At about $50 per person, the basic experience is fairly priced if you want a short, unusual activity in southern Gran Canaria. You receive a 60-minute camel ride, a camel visit, and access to the tropical gardens and farm animals. The listed duration is three hours, although the full door-to-door timing depends on pickup and return arrangements.

The tapas and transport packages cost more than the basic option, though the exact supplement depends on the booking choice. I would consider both extras carefully.

Hotel transport is worth paying for if you are staying in one of the covered resorts and do not want to navigate mountain roads. It also keeps the outing simple for families. Several accounts describe punctual pickups and smooth returns, but allow spare time in case the vehicle is delayed after the meal.

The tapas option is also good value for many people, particularly if you want lunch included and like trying local food. If you have strict dietary needs, the provided information does not specify special menus, so ask before booking.

The extras are where the value becomes less clear. Photos, videos, animal feed, and extra drinks are not included. You can have a good time without them, but families may want to budget for feed if children are eager to participate.

Who will enjoy this experience most?

This suits families with children, couples wanting something different from beach time, and anyone interested in animals and small-scale island culture. Children as young as three have taken part according to the supplied accounts, and the activity has worked for families with both young children and teenagers.

It is also a good choice if you have already spent time around Maspalomas and want to see a quieter inland setting. The mountain drive, palm oasis, fruit trees, and farm animals give you a change of pace without requiring a full-day excursion.

You should think twice if you dislike heat, uneven ground, or slow animal rides. The ride is not physically intense, but the sun can be tiring. Pregnant women cannot take part, and the experience is not suitable for people over 275 pounds, or 125 kilograms.

If you have mobility concerns, contact the operator before reserving. One past participant with multiple sclerosis received careful attention from the staff, but the available information does not give a full description of accessibility arrangements.

Practical preparation for a comfortable ride

Wear comfortable, closed shoes for the garden paths and rocky riding route. In summer, choose light clothing, sunglasses, a hat, and strong sunscreen. A long shirt and trousers can protect you from the sun better than very short clothes, especially during the exposed camel ride.

In winter, bring a warm layer. The inland ravine is not the same as the warm, sheltered resort coast.

Drones are not allowed. Bring money only if you want to buy animal feed, photos, videos, extra drinks, jam, or other products. None of those items is part of the standard package.

The activity is guided in Spanish, English, and German. When groups include several languages, the guide explains information in each one, though that can make the pace a little slower.

Allow more than the stated three hours if you are using hotel transport. The camel ride, garden visit, meal, and waiting time can stretch the day. This is good to know before booking it on a travel day or close to an airport transfer.

Should you book the La Baranda camel safari?

I would book this if you want a relaxed, family-friendly outing that combines animals, scenery, a little Canarian farming culture, and a local-style meal. The strongest reasons are the well-liked staff, the peaceful oasis, the hour-long ride, and the tapas option.

I would skip it if you want a wild desert expedition, a fast ride, or guaranteed shade. The setting is attractive but managed, the route is slow, and the midday sun can make the hour feel longer than expected.

For the best balance, choose the pickup and tapas package, wear serious sun protection, and keep your afternoon free after the scheduled return. At around $50 before optional upgrades, it offers more than a simple camel photo stop, especially if you take time to explore the gardens and meet the animals.

FAQ

How long does the camel safari last?

The activity is listed as lasting three hours. This includes the camel ride, animal visit, garden tour, and any selected meal or transport time. Hotel pickup and return can make the total day longer.

How long is the camel ride?

The included camel ride lasts 60 minutes. Some schedules and personal accounts describe the riding time as closer to 50 minutes, so allow for a little variation.

Where can hotel pickup be arranged?

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

Is tapas included in the basic price?

Tapas with drinks is included only if you select the food option. Extra drinks are not included, and the food selection can vary.

Can I feed the camels and other animals?

You can feed the camels, donkeys, and possibly other animals, but animal feed is not included in the standard activity price.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable shoes, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Light clothing is recommended in summer, while warmer clothing is suggested in winter. A hat and long sleeves are useful because parts of the route have little shade.

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.