Camel Ride in Fataga with Tapas and drinks

The best part of this outing is the setting. Instead of riding across Maspalomas sand dunes, you follow a camel caravan through the Fataga Nature Reserve, where old palms, mountain walls, and fruit trees give the ride a more rural feel. The route reaches the Valle de Las Mil Palmeras, or Valley of the 1000 Palms, a place that can feel surprisingly Middle Eastern while still being unmistakably Gran Canaria.

I like two things here: the one-hour camel ride is long enough to feel worthwhile, and lunch uses typical Canarian tapas with drinks rather than leaving you to arrange food afterward. I also like the small tropical garden, where mangoes, papayas, guavas, peacocks, parrots, donkeys, and camels add more to the visit than the ride alone.

The main thing to watch is the timing. The booking is sold as an experience of about four hours, but some schedules finish in roughly two and a half hours. The ride itself may also feel less dramatic than expected, since parts of the route follow the same rocky valley out and back.

Key points to know before booking

• Ride through the Valley of the 1000 Palms: The route passes mature palm groves and mountain scenery rather than open desert.
• Expect a one-hour camel ride: Some accounts describe about 30 minutes out and 30 minutes back, with a turn in the valley.
• Lunch is included: You receive a plate of typical Canarian tapas and drinks, with fresh garden produce used in some food and beverages.
• The garden is part of the visit: You can see tropical fruit trees and farm animals across a 10,000-square-meter natural oasis.
• Optional extras may cost more: Camel photographs and feeding baby camels are available for an added fee.
• Plan transport carefully: The meeting point is near public transportation, but bus number 18 has limited services, and road conditions can affect access.

What the four-hour outing really includes

The advertised start is 11:00 a.m. at Camel Safari Park La Baranda, on the road toward Fataga at kilometer 12. The activity ends back at the same place, so you do not need to arrange a second meeting point.

The listed duration is about four hours. In practice, the complete visit can be shorter. A schedule of around two and a half hours has worked for some bookings, including the camel ride, garden visit, and meal. That is not necessarily a problem, but it matters if you are building a full day around the outing.

I would leave extra room before and after the booking. This is especially important if you plan to return by bus, since the number 18 service has limited departures. Staff have helped arrange taxis back to resorts when given advance notice, but that should not be treated as included transportation.

The group limit is 15 people, which keeps this smaller than a large coach excursion. It also gives the staff more room to adjust the order of the ride and meal. One helpful example is a staff member moving the camel ride earlier so a visitor could catch the bus home.

The camel ride through Fataga

The ride is the main event. You sit in a saddle as the camel caravan moves into the valley, with palms and steep mountain scenery around you. The route gives you views toward the higher parts of Gran Canaria, including Pico de las Nieves on a clear day.

The ride is guided, and the local guide can point out caves that may have been used by Neolithic people. That small touch adds context to what might otherwise be only a photo stop. You are not simply circling a fenced area or crossing a flat patch of sand.

The ride generally lasts about an hour. Some descriptions break that into roughly 30 minutes in one direction, a 180-degree turn, and 30 minutes back along the same route. If you want a constantly changing route, this may feel repetitive. If you mainly want the sensation of riding a camel in a mountain valley, the repeated section is less important.

Expect a steady, gently swaying pace, not a fast thrill ride. The word thrilling in the sales description should be read generously. The appeal is the oddity of sitting high above the valley and moving with a caravan, not speed or physical excitement.

Every participant is given a license to drive camels and dromedaries. The supplied information does not explain exactly how much independent handling this involves, so I would ask the staff on arrival what the license covers. The ride is guided, and the safety of the group and animals remains the priority.

Children must be with an adult. Children under four enter free, but the activity is not recommended for people with back problems. The maximum rider weight is 120 kilograms. Those limits are worth checking before you pay, since camel saddles and the rising motion of mounting can be uncomfortable for some people.

La Baranda’s tropical garden and animal area

Camel Safari Park La Baranda covers about 10,000 square meters and includes more than the riding route. The guided garden visit takes you through tropical planting, with mango, papaya, guava, and other fruit trees.

This is one reason I find the outing more appealing than a basic camel ride. You get a closer look at a working oasis, where the plants help supply ingredients for drinks and treats. The garden is not a formal botanical garden with carefully labeled collections, though. If you are expecting a major plant attraction, keep your expectations modest.

The animal area includes camels, donkeys, peacocks, and parrots. You may also see a baby camel and have the chance to feed young camels or donkeys for an extra charge. The optional feeding is a nice add-on for children, but it is not part of the included package.

You can also pay for a photograph with the camels. I would view this as a souvenir choice, not a required part of the experience. The garden and animal area provide plenty of material for your own pictures, subject to the staff’s instructions.

The setting is informal and personal rather than polished. That works well if you enjoy small family-style attractions with animals, homegrown produce, and a relaxed pace. It may disappoint you if you want a large wildlife park or a long, carefully explained botanical tour.

Canarian tapas in a farm museum

After the ride and garden visit, you eat in the park’s restaurant. The dining room is decorated with old Canarian farm tools, giving the meal a useful sense of place. You are not sitting in a generic café after a tourist activity.

The package includes typical Canarian tapas and drinks. Some food and beverages use produce grown on the grounds, including tropical fruit. Smoothies and fresh garden drinks have been part of the meal experience, along with small treats.

The tapas are a strong part of the value. The portions are described as a sampler rather than a large feast, so you should not arrive expecting a full restaurant lunch with several courses. Still, having food included makes the four-hour package easier and keeps you from needing to find a restaurant in a rural area.

Pay attention to what you book. This experience includes tapas, not a barbecue. A barbecue has been substituted for tapas on at least one booking, which caused disappointment because the two packages were priced differently. If a barbecue is what you want, this is not the right package to assume will provide one.

Service is frequently a highlight. Anita has gone out of her way to help with special occasions, including a birthday cake and party hats. Mary has also been praised for friendly service and for adjusting the schedule around a return bus. Staff members speak English and Spanish, and the booking is offered in English.

Is $57.67 a fair price?

At $57.67 per person, the cost is reasonable if you value the full visit rather than only the camel ride. You are paying for about an hour in the saddle, a guided garden visit, tapas, drinks, and access to a small animal park. The meal and setting make the package more useful than a short ride with no food.

The value drops if you are judging the price only by riding time. A one-hour ride through a rocky valley may seem expensive if your main dream is a long desert journey. The route also returns along the same general path, so the scenery does not change every minute.

Optional extras can raise the final bill. Camel photographs and feeding baby animals are not part of the core package and may cost more. The included meal is the better reason to choose this booking, since it gives you something substantial beyond the saddle time.

I would compare this with the cost of reaching the Fataga area, too. If you are already staying near Maspalomas and can reach the park by bus or taxi, the price works more comfortably. If you need a separate private transfer, the total cost becomes less attractive.

Getting there from Maspalomas and beyond

The meeting point is Camel Safari Park La Baranda, carretera hacia Fataga kilometer 12, 35108 Fataga, Las Palmas. It is near public transportation, but the bus service is limited.

Bus number 18 has stopped close to the park, making it possible to reach the activity from Maspalomas without a car. Check the timetable carefully. A missed return bus can leave you waiting a long time, so tell the staff your intended departure before the visit begins.

Road access can also change. One booking was canceled because road work blocked the route, and the money was refunded. That incident shows why you should check local road conditions shortly before setting out, especially if you are traveling independently.

The provider is VIMOTIONS. Confirmation arrives at booking, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 11:00 a.m. start. If you cancel later, the payment is not refunded. Poor weather can also cancel the activity, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund.

Who will enjoy this outing most?

I would choose this experience if you want a gentle, unusual half-day away from the resort strip. It suits families with older children, couples who enjoy rural scenery, and anyone who wants a camel ride without making the sand dunes the whole focus of the day.

It is also a good fit if food matters to you. The tapas, drinks, fruit trees, and old farm tools give the visit a local touch, while the animals keep the stop varied.

I would be more cautious if you have back problems, dislike animals being part of tourist attractions, or want a fast, adventurous ride. The camel moves at a calm pace, and the valley route can be rocky and repetitive.

The maximum group size of 15 is a plus for people who dislike large excursions. Most participants can take part, but children need adult supervision and riders must stay within the 120-kilogram limit.

Should you book the camel ride in Fataga?

Book it if you want a relaxed rural outing with mountain scenery, palms, animals, and lunch in one package. The staff’s personal service, especially the help offered by Anita and Mary, adds warmth that you do not always get at a small attraction.

Skip it if you want a dramatic desert expedition or a guaranteed four-hour schedule. The camel ride is enjoyable, but not a high-speed adventure, and the actual visit may finish well before four hours.

My practical choice would be to book for the included tapas and the Fataga setting, then treat the camel ride as the centerpiece rather than the only reason to go. Confirm the road access, check the bus timetable, and ask about any optional charges before you start. With those expectations, the $57.67 price offers a pleasant and distinctive slice of Gran Canaria.

FAQ

Where does the camel ride start?

It starts at Camel Safari Park La Baranda, carretera hacia Fataga kilometer 12, 35108 Fataga, Las Palmas, Spain.

What time does the experience begin?

The listed start time is 11:00 a.m.

Where does the activity end?

It ends back at the Camel Safari Park La Baranda meeting point.

How long is the camel ride?

The included camel ride lasts one hour. Some schedules describe about 30 minutes in one direction and 30 minutes back.

How long does the entire experience last?

The advertised duration is approximately four hours, but some visits have taken about two and a half hours.

What food is included?

The package includes typical Canarian tapas for lunch and drinks.

Is the garden visit included?

Yes. A guided tour through the tropical garden is included.

Are children allowed?

Yes. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and children under four years old receive free entry.

Is there a rider weight limit?

Yes. The maximum rider weight is 120 kilograms.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded.