Gran Canaria: Camel Ride at Camel Safari Park

The best part of this experience is the setting: a 300-year-old palm oasis in Maspalomas, not a bare enclosure or a quick photo stop. You ride at an easy pace through the Oasis of the 1,000 Palms, then have time to see the park’s other animals and tropical garden.

I like the short 30-minute format, which keeps the camel ride manageable, and I like that park admission is included. You can feed some animals while waiting, although animal food costs extra. The main consideration is that this is a simple, compact outing rather than a long safari, and the ride is not suitable for pregnant women or anyone over 120 kilograms.

Key points to know before you go

• The camel ride lasts 30 minutes and passes through the historic Oasis of the 1,000 Palms.
• Park admission is included, with donkeys, goats, peacocks, ducks, birds, and possibly baby camels to see.
• The tropical garden adds breathing room before or after the ride, with a terrace serving fresh tropical juice for an extra charge.
• Camel food and drinks cost extra, so bring a little cash or plan for an additional purchase.
• On-site parking is available, with clear signs for the entrance but less obvious markings for the parking area.
• English, German, and Spanish are spoken, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the activity.

A camel ride under Maspalomas palm trees

Maspalomas is known for its famous sand dunes, but this outing takes you into a different side of the resort area. At Camel Safari Park La Baranda, the focus is a palm-filled oasis with enough shade and greenery to make the short visit feel removed from the surrounding holiday district.

The ride itself lasts 30 minutes. That is long enough to enjoy the slow rhythm of a camel and take in the palms, but short enough for people who are unsure about camel riding. You will not spend half a day in the saddle, and the activity leaves room for other plans in Maspalomas.

I would treat the ride as a gentle scenic circuit rather than a rugged desert adventure. The appeal is the old palm grove and the novelty of riding a camel, not speed, distance, or wilderness.

The park was constructed over 300 years ago, giving the setting an unusual sense of age for a modern holiday excursion. The supplied information calls it the Oasis of the 1,000 Palms, and that name explains the visual draw better than any promise of thrills. Expect palms, a quiet garden setting, and an easy ride.

What happens at the park

You meet at the reception of Camel Safari Park La Baranda. The entrance is signposted, and parking is available on site. Parking spaces are not clearly marked, but there is generally plenty of room when the park is not busy.

Once inside, you have access to more than the camel ride. The included admission lets you look around the animal area and tropical garden. Depending on the season, you might see donkeys, goats, peacocks, ducks, and other birds. Young camels may also be present, but that changes with the time of year.

This extra time matters. A 30-minute ride alone would make the $23 price reasonable but not remarkable. The included park access gives you something to do before your departure time and lets you slow down afterward instead of leaving as soon as the camel ride ends.

You may also get the chance to feed some of the animals while waiting. Food for the animals is not included, so you will need to pay separately if you want to take part. That small extra cost is worth considering if you are visiting with children, since feeding the animals can become part of the experience rather than an optional afterthought.

The garden and animal areas also make this a practical choice for a mixed group. One person may care most about the camel ride, while another prefers birds, goats, or palm trees. The setting gives everyone something simple to look at without turning the visit into a tightly timed program.

Riding through the Oasis of the 1,000 Palms

The central activity is the camel circuit through the palm oasis. You ride in a slow-moving group, with the palms providing the main scenery. The route is valuable because the environment does much of the work: the old trees create a more pleasant backdrop than a plain paddock would.

Camel riding has a particular motion. It is not difficult in the way a long horseback ride might be, but the animal’s height and rolling step can feel unusual. Comfortable shoes are recommended, and a hat is useful under the Gran Canaria sun. Bring your passport or identity card as requested for the activity.

The short duration works in your favor if you want to try camel riding without committing to a longer excursion. It also suits families and couples who want a calm activity between beach time, meals, or a visit to the Maspalomas dunes.

There are limits. This is not a long route into open countryside, and the supplied details do not promise a private ride or a small group. If you want an extended animal experience, you may find 30 minutes too brief. If you simply want to say you rode a camel in Gran Canaria and enjoy a distinctive setting, the length is well judged.

You should also be ready for normal animal-park conditions. Camel rides can involve smells, insects, and contact with animals. One recent booking specifically reported no problems with flies or smells, but those are still reasonable things to keep in mind when choosing any activity involving livestock.

The animal park adds value after the ride

The strongest practical feature here is that you are not restricted to a saddle. Your ticket includes entry to the wider park, so you can see the other animals and spend time in the garden before or after your ride.

The animal list includes donkeys, goats, peacocks, ducks, and birds. Baby camels may appear depending on the season. That seasonal detail is important: do not book expecting to see young camels on a particular date.

The animals give the visit a more personal pace. You can stop, watch, and take photographs instead of moving constantly from one scheduled point to the next. The park is not presented as a large zoo, so keep your expectations in line with a small animal attraction connected to the camel ride.

If you are visiting with children, the animals may be as important as the camel ride. Feeding is possible, but food is not included. I would decide in advance how much you want to spend on this extra, especially if several people in your group will want a portion.

The tropical garden offers another change of pace. After the ride, you can stroll among the palms and garden plants, then sit on the terrace with a tropical juice. The juice is not part of the ticket, but it gives you an easy way to finish the visit without rushing straight back to your hotel or car.

Is $23 good value?

At $23 per person, the price is fair for a short camel ride with park entry. If you judge the ticket only by the 30 minutes on the camel, it is a modest attraction rather than a major excursion. The included animal park and garden make the calculation better.

I would see this as a low-cost add-on to a Maspalomas day. You are paying for a distinctive activity, a historic palm setting, and access to several small park areas. You are not paying for transport, a meal, a long guided tour, or a full-day safari.

The extra costs are limited but clear. Drinks are not included, including the tropical juice served on the terrace. Food for the animals is also separate. There is no information that food or refreshments are part of the ticket, so plan to buy them only if you want them.

The value improves if you arrive early enough to enjoy the garden and animal areas. If you rush in, complete the camel ride, and leave immediately, you will use only the main part of what the ticket provides.

A rating of 4.1 from 217 bookings suggests a generally positive experience with some room for individual preference. That fits the nature of the activity. People who want a peaceful, scenic outing are likely to get more from it than people expecting a major adventure.

Who will enjoy this experience most?

I would recommend the park to you if you want a calm activity in Maspalomas with a clear time limit. It suits couples, families, and first-time camel riders who prefer a short introduction rather than a long route.

It is also a good choice if you like animals but do not want to spend several hours at a large zoo. The combination of camels, goats, donkeys, birds, peacocks, ducks, and a tropical garden creates a varied visit without requiring a full day.

The experience may also work well for a mixed-age group. The ride is short, the park is easy to understand, and there is something to do while waiting. One recent visitor found the atmosphere peaceful, the views scenic, and the animal feeding a useful way to pass the time before the scheduled ride.

I would think twice if you dislike animal smells, feel uncomfortable on a camel, or want a long ride through open countryside. The activity is compact and organized around the park’s palm oasis. It is not designed as an expedition.

Pregnant women cannot take part, and the activity is not suitable for people over 264 pounds, or 120 kilograms. Those restrictions should be taken seriously before booking.

Practical advice for a smoother visit

Wear comfortable shoes. You will ride and may also walk through the animal areas and tropical garden, so sandals or formal shoes may be less useful than something secure and easy to wear.

Bring a hat. The palms provide visual appeal and some shade, but the activity takes place outdoors, and the supplied instructions specifically recommend headwear.

Take your passport or identity card. It is listed among the required items, so do not assume a hotel booking confirmation alone will be enough.

Allow time beyond the 30-minute ride. The ticket includes the park and garden, and you may want to feed the animals or stop for tropical juice on the terrace. The exact starting time depends on availability, so check the schedule when selecting your booking.

The entrance is clearly signposted. Parking is on site and usually has plenty of space, though the spaces are not well marked. If you are driving, look for the main entrance signs first rather than expecting a formal parking layout.

The staff can communicate in Spanish, German, and English. That makes the activity easier to manage for international visitors, especially at reception and around the basic ride arrangements.

The booking terms are flexible. You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. Those terms are useful if your Gran Canaria plans depend on weather or changing day trips.

Should you book the Camel Safari Park?

Book it if you want a peaceful 30-minute camel ride in an unusual palm setting, with a small animal park and tropical garden included. The historic Oasis of the 1,000 Palms gives the experience its character, while the short duration keeps the commitment and cost under control.

I would especially choose it as part of a Maspalomas day rather than as the only activity you plan. Arrive with enough time to see the animals, consider the optional feeding, and finish with a juice on the terrace.

Skip it if you expect a long safari, a demanding ride, or a large wildlife park. For the right visitor, though, $23 buys a pleasant and distinctive break from the beach, with enough variety to make the short camel ride feel worthwhile.

FAQ

How long does the camel ride last?

The camel ride lasts 30 minutes.

Where does the activity take place?

It takes place at Camel Safari Park La Baranda in Maspalomas, Gran Canaria.

What is included in the ticket?

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

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are not included. A tropical juice is available on the terrace for an additional cost.

Can I feed the animals?

Yes, you can feed some of the animals, but food for the animals is not included in the ticket.

What animals might I see?

You might see donkeys, goats, peacocks, ducks, birds, and camels. Baby camels depend on the season.

What should I bring?

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

Is the activity suitable for everyone?

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