Gran Canaria: Camel Ride at Camel Safari Park

Maspalomas is best known for its dunes and beaches, but this short ride takes you into a very different setting: the Oasis of the 1,000 Palms, a palm-filled area shaped over more than 300 years. You’ll ride a camel beneath the trees, then have time to see the small animal park and tropical garden.

I like two things here. First, the ride is peaceful rather than hurried, with scenic palm views and a gentle pace. Second, the $23 price includes more than the saddle time, since you can also visit the animals and garden. The main consideration is duration: 30 minutes on the camel is enough for a taste, not a major day out.

• A 300-year-old palm oasis: Ride through one of Maspalomas’ most unusual green spaces.
• A short, easy-to-plan outing: The camel portion lasts 30 minutes, making it simple to fit around beach time.
• More than a camel ride: Admission includes the animal area and tropical garden.
• A quiet setting: The park offers a slower break from the busy resort strip.
• Bring a hat and sturdy shoes: Sun protection and comfortable footwear will make the visit easier.
• Check the weight and health limits: The ride is not suitable for pregnant women or anyone over 120 kilograms.

Riding Through Maspalomas’ Oasis of the 1,000 Palms

The setting is the main reason to book this experience. Instead of crossing open sand, you ride through a palm oasis in Maspalomas, an area that has been developed over roughly 300 years. The palms provide a leafy backdrop and give the outing a more sheltered, garden-like feel.

Your camel ride lasts 30 minutes. That is a useful length if you want to try camel riding without giving up half a day. It also works well for families and couples who want a small activity between time at the beach, shopping, or other plans in southern Gran Canaria.

The ride itself is the central event, but you should think of it as a gentle scenic circuit rather than an expedition. You are there for the unusual setting, the novelty of sitting on a camel, and the chance to see the oasis from a different height. The short format keeps the experience manageable, though anyone hoping for a long trek may find it brief.

The atmosphere is generally calm. One recent visit described the grounds as peaceful, with sunshine, fresh juice available, and no trouble from flies or smells. Those details can vary with the day and season, but they give you a fair idea of the park’s appeal: this is a relaxed stop, not an all-action attraction.

What Happens Before and After the Camel Ride

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 not clearly marked, but there is plenty of room when the park is not especially busy.

Arrive with enough time to find the reception and get settled. The park can add value before your scheduled ride because you may be able to feed some of the animals while waiting. Food for the animals is not included, so plan to pay separately if you want to take part.

After the ride, use the included admission to walk around the rest of the park. You might see donkeys, goats, peacocks, ducks, and other birds. The animal selection can change with the season, and baby camels may be present at certain times. That seasonal element means the park is not exactly the same on every visit.

The tropical garden gives you another reason not to rush away after dismounting. You can stroll among the plants, take a break on the terrace, and buy a tropical juice. The drink costs extra, but it can be a pleasant way to finish the visit, especially on a warm afternoon.

Why the Palm Setting Matters

Camel rides can feel interchangeable when they take place on a basic track. Here, the palm oasis gives the activity a clearer sense of place. You are not simply riding an animal for a few minutes. You are moving through a distinctive part of Maspalomas with a long-established palm setting.

The palms also change the mood. Gran Canaria’s resort areas can be sunny, active, and crowded, while this park offers a quieter pause. If your holiday is filled with beach time and busy day trips, the slower rhythm may be just what you need.

I would not book this mainly for botanical expertise or a formal garden tour. The supplied details do not promise a guided explanation of the plants or the oasis. Think of the garden as a pleasant place to wander after the ride, with the camel circuit remaining the main attraction.

The setting is also useful for photographs, although the activity is short and conditions depend on the light, season, and how busy the park is. Keep your expectations practical: you are paying for a brief ride and park access, not a full-day visit to a major wildlife facility.

The Animals and Small-Park Experience

The included park access makes this a better-value outing than a ride alone. You can see several familiar farm and domestic species, including donkeys and goats, as well as peacocks, ducks, and birds. Baby animals may appear depending on the season.

This part of the visit is especially useful if you are with children who may enjoy seeing animals at close range. It also gives you something to do before or after the camel ride, so the 30-minute saddle time does not represent your entire visit.

Feeding is not included. If you want to offer food to the animals, budget for that separately. The park can feel more engaging when you take time with this part, but it is still a modest animal area rather than a large zoo.

Animal care is an important question with any activity of this sort. A recent visitor specifically noted that the camels appeared well cared for, and another found the animals well behaved. That is encouraging, but you should still decide for yourself if a camel ride fits your personal comfort and animal welfare standards.

Is $23 a Fair Price?

At $23 per person, the experience offers reasonable value if you want a short, unusual activity rather than a major excursion. The price covers the 30-minute camel ride and entry to the park and garden. That extra access matters because you can spend time looking around instead of leaving immediately after the ride.

The value is strongest for people who enjoy several small elements in one stop: a scenic ride, farm animals, a tropical garden, and the option of a drink on the terrace. It is less compelling if you want a long camel trek or a highly structured cultural tour.

Food and drinks are not included. The tropical juice is an optional purchase, and animal food is also extra. These are small costs, but you should know the base price does not cover every activity inside the park.

The overall rating provided for the experience is 4.1 out of 5 from 217 ratings. That suggests a solid outing with broad appeal, though not a perfect fit for everyone. The most consistent strengths are the peaceful surroundings, the scenic palms, the friendly welcome, and the chance to see animals while waiting.

Practical Details That Make the Visit Easier

Wear comfortable shoes. You will be walking around the park and garden, and casual footwear is more useful than sandals that slip or formal shoes. A hat is also listed as an essential item, which makes sense in Gran Canaria’s strong sun.

Bring a passport or identity card. The park lists this among the items to bring, so do not assume that a booking confirmation alone is enough.

The experience is not suitable for pregnant women or people weighing more than 120 kilograms, or 264 pounds. This is a firm planning point, not a minor footnote. If anyone in your group falls into either category, choose another activity.

Spanish, German, and English are available. That makes the basic arrival and activity instructions easier for a wide range of visitors. No individual guide names are provided, so you should not expect a named private guide or a personal tour.

The duration is listed as 30 minutes, with starting times depending on availability. Check the time when booking and allow a little extra time for parking, reception, the animal area, and the garden. The park itself may be worth visiting before or after your slot.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is useful if you are arranging several activities while your Gran Canaria plans are still changing.

Who Will Enjoy This Camel Ride Most?

I would recommend this to you if you want a gentle, family-friendly outing with a clear time limit. It suits people who like animals, gardens, and scenic settings but do not want a demanding hike or a full-day tour.

It is also a good match for first-time camel riders. Thirty minutes gives you the novelty of the experience without committing to a long ride. If you are unsure how comfortable you will feel on a camel, the shorter format is a sensible choice.

Couples may appreciate the quiet surroundings and terrace, while families can make use of the animal area before or after the ride. Anyone staying near Maspalomas can combine the visit with other southern Gran Canaria plans.

I would hesitate if you want a large, highly developed attraction with many exhibits. The park appears to be a small-scale stop, and the animal selection changes with the season. I would also skip it if you dislike animal rides or if the weight and pregnancy restrictions affect someone in your group.

What Recent Visits Tell You About the Experience

The strongest practical points are easy to identify. The setting is repeatedly praised for its beauty, and the palm oasis gives the ride much of its character. The peaceful atmosphere also matters, especially if you are looking for a break from the resort area.

The welcome has been described as warm, and the fresh juice on the terrace adds a pleasant finishing touch, even though it costs extra. The animals are generally described as well behaved, and some people have been able to feed younger animals while waiting.

One useful detail concerns the entrance. Finding the venue is not considered difficult because signs point toward it, but parking is not clearly marked. There is plenty of space, so this is more of a minor nuisance than a serious problem.

The experience is not free of possible annoyances. Animal smells and flies can never be ruled out at a farm-style park, though one recent visit found neither to be a problem. Conditions may change with heat, wind, season, and the number of people present.

Should You Book the Camel Safari Park?

Book it if you want a short and peaceful Gran Canaria activity with a scenic setting, animal access, and a price that covers more than the ride itself. The 300-year-old palm oasis is the real draw, and the park access helps make $23 feel fair.

Skip it if you want a long trek, a major wildlife attraction, or a detailed guided tour. For most suitable visitors, though, this is an easygoing way to spend part of an afternoon in Maspalomas. Bring your ID, hat, and comfortable shoes, allow time for the animals and garden, and treat the camel ride as a pleasant half-hour highlight rather than the whole day.

FAQ

How long does the camel ride last?

The camel ride lasts 30 minutes. You can also spend time visiting the animal park and tropical garden before or after the ride.

What is included in the price?

The $23 price includes the 30-minute camel ride and entry to the park, animals, and garden.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Drinks and food for the animals are not included. You can buy a tropical juice at the garden terrace, and animal food may be available separately.

Where do I meet for the activity?

Meet at the reception of Camel Safari Park La Baranda.

What should I bring?

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

Who cannot take part in the camel ride?

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