Gran Canaria: Camel Ride at Camel Safari Park

The best part of this outing is the setting: a 300-year-old palm oasis where your camel ride passes beneath tall palms rather than across a bare, open stretch of sand. The ride lasts only 30 minutes, but the ticket also gives you time to see donkeys, goats, peacocks, ducks, birds, and possibly young camels.

I like the peaceful pace and the chance to spend time in the park before or after your ride. I also like the simple price, about $23 per person, which includes both the camel ride and park admission. The main drawback is the short riding time, so this is better as a gentle half-day stop than as a major excursion.

Key points to know before you go

• A palm-oasis setting: Ride through Maspalomas’ Oasis of the 1,000 Palms, described as more than 300 years old.
• More than a camel ride: Your admission includes the animal park and tropical garden.
• Thirty minutes in the saddle: The ride is brief and suited to a relaxed introduction rather than a long safari.
• Seasonal animal encounters: You may see baby camels, along with donkeys, goats, peacocks, ducks, and birds.
• A quiet stop in Maspalomas: The park offers a slower change of pace from the resort area.
• Simple practical limits: Bring identification, comfortable shoes, and a hat. The ride is not suitable for pregnant women or people over 264 pounds, or 120 kilograms.

Riding through Maspalomas’ Oasis of the 1,000 Palms

The setting gives this activity its character. Instead of presenting the camel ride as a bare-bones animal attraction, Camel Safari Park La Baranda places it in the Oasis of the 1,000 Palms in Maspalomas. The palms provide shade, texture, and a sense of place that a short ride on a plain track would lack.

The oasis is described as having been constructed more than 300 years ago. That detail matters because the palms are not just decoration around the ride. They are the main visual feature, and they make the half-hour route feel connected to the older agricultural and garden traditions of Gran Canaria.

You will ride at an easy pace through the palm-filled grounds. This is not presented as a fast-moving desert excursion, and the short duration keeps the experience manageable for people who want to try camel riding without giving up a full morning or afternoon.

I would think of the ride as a calm scenic circuit. You get a different view of the palms from the back of a camel, then return to the park with time to look around. If you want a long ride with wide-open views, this will probably feel too short. If you want a pleasant introduction, the length is part of its appeal.

What happens at Camel Safari Park La Baranda

The meeting point is the reception at Camel Safari Park La Baranda. Clear signs point toward the entrance, and parking is available on site. The parking area is not clearly marked, but there is reportedly plenty of room when the park is not busy.

After arriving, you can use the time before your ride to look around the grounds. The park includes more than camels. Donkeys, goats, peacocks, ducks, and birds are part of the animal collection, and the selection can change with the season.

You may also see baby camels if there are young animals at the park during your visit. That possibility is seasonal, so it should not be treated as a guaranteed part of the program. Still, it adds a useful reason to allow extra time instead of arriving just before your riding slot.

The animal area gives children something to do while waiting, and it gives adults a chance to see how the park is laid out. Feeding the animals is possible, but food for the animals is not included in the ticket. You will need to pay separately if feeding is available during your visit.

The 30-minute camel ride

The included ride lasts 30 minutes. That is long enough to experience the rhythm of riding a camel and take in the palm oasis, but short enough that you are not committing to a demanding outing.

Camel riding has a distinctive motion, especially when the animal gets up or sits down. You should expect the ride to feel different from sitting on a horse, even though the route itself is gentle. Comfortable clothing and shoes make sense, and a hat is specifically recommended.

The palms are the main scenery. This is a garden setting, not a long ride through remote countryside. You will likely spend much of the route looking at the oasis itself, with the animals and tropical planting adding interest around the path.

The short duration is helpful for first-time riders, families, and anyone uncertain about camel riding. It also limits the amount of time you have for photographs from the saddle. If taking pictures is important to you, keep your phone secure and be ready before the ride begins.

The activity has a weight restriction of 264 pounds, or 120 kilograms. It is not suitable for pregnant women. These limits are important to check before booking, since they affect eligibility rather than comfort alone.

Exploring the animals and tropical garden

Park admission is included, so you should not treat the camel ride as the entire experience. The animal area and garden give you a chance to slow down after the ride and make better use of the trip to the park.

The collection includes familiar farm animals such as donkeys and goats, plus peacocks, ducks, and birds. This mix makes the stop especially suitable for families or anyone who enjoys a small animal park rather than a single-purpose ride.

The garden is another reason to avoid rushing away. You can stroll among the tropical planting and spend time in the oasis surroundings without being on a schedule every minute. The garden is not described as a formal botanical tour, so you should come for the atmosphere and the walk rather than for plant interpretation.

You can also buy a tropical juice on the garden terrace. The drink is not included, but it offers a pleasant way to finish the visit. I would budget for it if you like a cold drink after being outdoors, while remembering that food and animal feed are separate expenses too.

One practical point: animal smells and flies can be part of any outdoor animal park. Recent conditions have been comfortable for some visitors, with no trouble from flies or smells, but you should still expect this to be an animal-focused setting rather than a polished indoor attraction.

Why the quiet pace works

Gran Canaria is often associated with beaches, resort streets, and busy day plans. This park offers a slower option. The ride through the palms, the small animal collection, and the terrace drink create a compact outing without demanding a full day.

I would particularly consider it for a morning or afternoon when you want a break from sunbathing or shopping. It also works as a family activity because the animal park provides something to see before and after the ride.

The peaceful mood is one of the strongest reasons to book. The surroundings are scenic, and the ride does not appear designed as a loud or fast attraction. You can feed animals, watch the peacocks and ducks, walk through the garden, and take in the palms at your own pace.

That relaxed style will not suit everyone. If you want a major adventure, a long route, or a tour packed with facts and activities, the visit may feel modest. The value comes from combining several small pleasures in one setting, not from an intensive camel expedition.

How the $23 price works out

At about $23 per person, the price is reasonable if you plan to use the full park admission. You are paying for the 30-minute camel ride plus access to the animals and tropical garden, rather than for a ride alone.

The value improves if you arrive early enough to see the park before your slot or stay afterward for the garden and terrace. If you arrive, ride, and leave immediately, the experience becomes a fairly short activity for the money.

Additional costs are clear. Drinks are not included, the tropical juice costs extra, and food for the animals is also separate. You do not need to buy either, but families may want to allow a little extra for animal feeding or refreshments.

There is also useful booking flexibility. You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability for your chosen date.

Getting there and what to bring

The meeting point is the reception at Camel Safari Park La Baranda. Signage to the entrance is clear, though parking itself may not be well marked. There is on-site parking, with plenty of space depending on how busy the park is.

Bring a passport or identity card, comfortable shoes, and a hat. The identification requirement is worth taking seriously even for a short local outing. Comfortable footwear will help you enjoy the garden and animal areas, not just the ride.

The host or greeter can communicate in Spanish, German, or English. No individual guide names are provided, but the language range makes the activity easier for international visitors who need basic instructions or help at reception.

Because the ride lasts only 30 minutes, you do not need to pack for a full excursion. Still, you will be outdoors around animals and gardens, so sun protection and practical clothing are sensible choices based on the stated requirements.

Who will enjoy this activity most

I would recommend this outing to several types of visitors:

• Families who want a gentle activity with animals and a short ride.
• First-time camel riders who prefer a limited commitment.
• Couples looking for a calm stop with attractive palm scenery.
• Visitors staying in or near Maspalomas who want an easy local experience.
• Anyone who likes gardens, small animal parks, and a relaxed terrace break.

It is less suitable for pregnant women, people above the 120-kilogram weight limit, and anyone looking for a long or strenuous ride. It may also disappoint you if camel riding is the only reason you are booking and you expect an hour or more in the saddle.

The experience is also a better fit for people who enjoy unhurried stops. The animal park and garden are not extras to ignore. They are what help turn a short ride into a worthwhile visit.

A balanced look at the experience

The strongest features are the location, the peaceful atmosphere, and the combination of activities. The palm oasis gives the ride a memorable setting, while the animals and garden offer reasons to stay longer. The price is fair when you use those included extras.

The main limitation remains the 30-minute ride. You should set your expectations correctly before booking. This is a compact park visit with a camel ride, not a full-day safari or a long countryside trek.

The park may also feel basic compared with a large modern attraction. That is not automatically a fault. The charm is in the simple setup: ride through the palms, see the animals, walk through the garden, and stop for a drink if you wish.

The clearest practical advice is to arrive with enough time to enjoy the park. The pre-ride waiting period can become part of the visit when you use it to feed animals, see younger animals if present, or explore the garden.

Should you book the Camel Safari Park ride?

Book it if you want a short, scenic camel ride in Maspalomas with animal viewing and garden access included. At $23, it offers solid value for a relaxed visit, especially if you plan to stay beyond the 30-minute ride.

Skip it if you want a long camel trek, a highly structured cultural tour, or an intense outdoor adventure. The best reason to choose this activity is its gentle combination of palms, animals, and easygoing park time.

For most eligible visitors, I would treat it as a pleasant add-on to a Gran Canaria itinerary rather than the main event. Arrive early, bring your hat and identification, and allow time for the garden and animals. That is where the experience earns its price.

FAQ

Where is the camel ride located?

The activity takes place at Camel Safari Park La Baranda in Maspalomas, Gran Canaria, in the Canary Islands of Spain.

How long does the camel ride last?

The camel ride lasts 30 minutes.

What is included in the ticket?

The ticket includes the 30-minute camel ride and entry to the park, including access to see the animals and visit the garden.

What animals can you see at the park?

The park has camels, donkeys, goats, peacocks, ducks, and birds. Baby camels may be present depending on the season and whether there are young animals at the time of your visit.

Can I feed the animals?

You can feed the animals, but food for the animals is not included in the ticket.

Is a drink included?

No. Drinks are not included, though you can buy a tropical juice from the garden terrace.

What languages are available?

The host or greeter can speak Spanish, German, and English.

What should I bring?

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

Who should not take this activity?

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