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

A camel ride through palms beats the beach scene. You get a 60-minute camel ride in the Oasis of 1,000 Palms, plus a guided walk through fruit trees and a desert oasis. The only real catch: it’s hot and often has little shade, so plan smart clothing.

If you add tapas, you also get a relaxed meal in a museum-like setting with antique farm tools. Pickup is available from several popular resort areas around Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, Meloneras, San Agustín, and Bahia Feliz (or a nearby spot). One thing to keep in mind: extras like photos, videos, and some animal-feeding items may cost extra.

Key highlights that make this safari worth your time

• Oasis of 1,000 Palms camel ride: A calm ride in a canyon oasis that dates back about 300 years
• Guided garden + fruit trees: You’ll walk among tropical plants and fruit trees like papaya, mango, and guava
• Farm animals in the oasis: You’ll see and interact with desert-farm creatures, including donkeys in many sessions
• Optional tapas in a farm-implements setting: A simple, locally themed meal with drinks if you choose the package
• Hotel pickup in southern Gran Canaria: Easy start and easy return around the Maspalomas area

Camel safari in Fataga: what you really get for about $50

At around $50 per person, this is an activity that tries to do three things at once: camel time, garden time, and animal time. The payoff is that it’s not just “ride and leave.” You spend real time in a nature reserve setting, where you can slow down and watch how the place works.

The best part is the pairing: the camel ride happens in a very specific place, the Oasis of the 1,000 Palms in Camellos, and then you continue with a guided visit to tropical gardens inside the reserve. That combo makes it feel like a small, focused experience rather than a quick photo stop.

If you’re hoping for a long, shaded nature hike, adjust expectations. This is more about a short guided visit plus camel riding, not a big trek. And the heat can be a deal-breaker if you show up underprepared.

Getting there: pickup near Maspalomas and the scenic drive

The experience runs from a park in the Maspalomas area (Camel Safari Park La Baranda), with pickup from your hotel if you’re staying in Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, Meloneras, San Agustín, or Bahia Feliz, or at a nearby location. That matters because it removes the hassle of finding the place on your own.

Once you’re picked up, you’ll do a scenic drive and get a safety briefing before the camel portion. The route is part of the fun for many people—there are mountain views in the drive out, and it helps the whole afternoon feel like an excursion instead of just an entrance ticket.

If you’re short on time, having the round-trip transport option helps you keep your day simple. Just build in a little buffer, because any add-on like tapas can change when you’re back at your hotel.

La Baranda: meeting the camels and settling into the rhythm

When you arrive at Camel Safari Park La Baranda, your session starts with a guided portion and a quick safety setup. You’re not thrown into chaos. It’s more like getting your bearings: how to behave around the animals, how the camel handling works, and what to expect during the ride.

Then you shift into “camel time.” The ride is about 60 minutes, which sounds short until you realize you’re not just sitting there—you’re moving through the oasis area between mountain walls. It’s also long enough to feel like you actually did something, not just posed for a quick photo.

A nice detail from the experience design: there’s usually enough time for interaction before and after the ride. You’ll have the chance to visit the animals and spend time in the grounds, which makes the day feel more humane and less like a factory lineup.

Oasis of the 1,000 Palms: a 300-year-old ride through a canyon garden

This is the headline moment: a camel ride through the Oasis of the 1,000 Palms in Camellos. The oasis itself is described as being constructed over 300 years ago, and that old-world water-and-garden setup is the point. Instead of dunes and empty heat, you’re moving through a green pocket in a ravine.

During the ride, you’re guided through the oasis environment, and you also get time for the guide-led “look and learn” piece around the palm area. That’s what makes it feel different from generic camel rides—you’re not just on the camel. You’re in the place that made the camels possible in the first place.

One practical note: the canyon setting can mean bright sun with limited shade. If you go at midday in summer, plan like you’re spending time outside for real—hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and light layers.

Tropical gardens and desert oasis animals: more than a one-note show

After the camel portion, you move into the tropical gardens and desert oasis area. This part is where the experience stops being a novelty and starts feeling like a real nature reserve visit.

You’ll explore tropical gardens with your guide and see fruit trees such as papaya, mango, and guava. The reserve is described as covering about 10,000 square meters, so it’s not huge like a theme park—but it’s big enough for you to walk around and notice details.

Animal interaction is another highlight. The experience is designed so you can see and interact with farm animals in the oasis. In practice, people often mention donkeys and even baby camels as part of the mix. Also, there are fun surprises—one session included a parrot that “meows,” which gives you that small-ranch, character-filled feel.

Feeding is a point to understand before you go. While the experience promotes camel interactions, camel feeding is listed as not included, and you may encounter small extra fees for feeding items at the stations. You can still enjoy the animal time, but be ready that the hands-on feeding piece might cost extra depending on what you choose on the day.

Optional tapas: the meal, the vibe, and how to decide

If you select the tapas option, you get a meal with drinks in a setting described as museum-like, featuring displays of antique farm implements from the Canary Islands. That detail matters because it turns the tapas from a quick roadside bite into part of the atmosphere.

The food itself is described as locally sourced and tied to the reserve. People also mention that the tapas package includes a selection of items rather than a heavy lunch, and that it works well after being outside in the sun.

One more real-world consideration: adding tapas can affect when you’re picked up and when you return. Some sessions run smoothly, while others involve waiting after the meal. It’s usually not a huge issue, but it’s good to know you might not be on the road the instant you finish eating.

If you tend to get snacky after outdoor activities, the tapas add-on can be a big value. If you’d rather keep your schedule tight, you can skip it and do something else afterward in Maspalomas.

What to wear and what to expect from the weather

This is a short tour, but it’s still an outdoor one. The experience guidance strongly points to comfortable shoes, plus sunglasses and sunscreen. In summer, light clothing helps. In winter, go warmer—but still prioritize breathable comfort for walking around the oasis area.

The biggest mismatch I see for visitors is clothing vs. sun intensity. The oasis sits in a canyon, and sessions can be in full sun depending on the time slot. If you burn easily, don’t treat this like a quick photo stop. Treat it like an hour or two outside.

Also, the tour includes a camel ride, and you’ll be on your feet while moving through the park areas. Comfortable shoes aren’t optional here.

Drones are not allowed.

Value check: included vs. extra costs you may run into

Here’s the clean way to evaluate value: the core package includes the 60-minute camel ride, a camel visit, tropical garden time, and (if you choose it) tapas with drinks plus pickup and drop-off.

Not included are photos, videos, extra drinks, and camel feeding. In practice, people report add-ons for photos and small fees for feeding items. So if you want a souvenir, build a little budget for that.

If you’re price-sensitive, the best move is to decide what you actually want:

• If you want the full “day out” with a meal and easy transport, the tapas + pickup option is usually the simplest plan.
• If you only care about the camel ride and garden time, you can skip tapas and spend the saved money elsewhere.

Either way, the value comes from how the time is structured: a ride in a specific palm oasis, followed by garden and animals, all wrapped into a short guided window.

Who this tour suits (and who should skip it)

This safari makes sense for people who want something active but not exhausting. It’s also good if you’re traveling with kids or grandparents who can handle walking around outdoor grounds and sitting through a camel ride.

It’s especially attractive if you like animals and want a setting where the experience feels grounded in an actual farm-and-garden environment, not just a quick selfie zone.

It’s not suitable for pregnant women and for people over 275 lbs (125 kg), based on the activity guidance. If you’re in that category, skip it.

If you’re expecting a long hike with lots of shade and long stops at viewpoints, you might find it too short and too sun-heavy for your style.

Should you book this camel ride safari in Fataga?

Book it if you want a different kind of Gran Canaria day: camel time in the Oasis of the 1,000 Palms, plus a guided walk through tropical fruit gardens and farm animals, all with pickup nearby. It’s one of those activities that feels like it belongs on the island, not like it was imported from somewhere else.

Skip it if you know you’ll struggle with heat, you hate outdoor sun with minimal shade, or you’re looking for a long nature hike. Also skip if you fall under the stated limitations for pregnancy or weight.

If you’re on the fence, my practical advice is to pack for the sun and pick the option that matches your energy. If you want an easy, self-contained half-day, add tapas. If you’d rather keep your afternoon flexible, do the camel-and-gardens version and plan your own meal afterward.

FAQ

How long is the camel safari experience?

The activity duration is listed as about 3 hours total, depending on your selected time slot and options.

Where does the pickup happen?

Pickup is available at hotels in Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, Meloneras, San Agustín, and Bahia Feliz, or at a nearby location.

How long is the camel ride?

You get a 60-minute camel ride as part of the experience.

What’s included if I choose the tapas option?

If you select the tapas package, you’ll have tapas with drinks in addition to the camel ride, camel visit, and tropical garden time.

Are camel feeding and photos included?

Camel feeding and photos/videos are listed as not included. Extra charges may apply depending on what you choose on-site.

What languages are available?

The instructor/guides can operate in Spanish, English, and German.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes and plan for sun with sunglasses and sunscreen.

Is the tour family-friendly?

It’s described as an activity for children and adults in a guided setting. Still, it involves a camel ride and outdoor walking, so check the height, comfort, and safety limits for your group.