You’ll feel like you stepped into a different world in Fataga. This Camel Safari Park La Baranda experience blends 1-hour camel riding through the palm valley with a guided stroll in the park’s gardens, plus Canarian tapas for lunch and drinks. One thing to consider: it’s not a long, heavy walking tour, and the camel riding is the main event.

I like that the group stays small (up to 15), and you’re guided in English, so you’re not left guessing what you’re looking at. Bonus: the park gives you a license to drive camels and dromedaries, so the experience feels less like a sit-and-watch activity and more like hands-on fun. If you have back problems, you’ll want to think twice since it isn’t recommended.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• Valle de Las Mil Palmeras views: Close-up time in Fataga Nature Reserve and the palm groves that are said to be over 300 years old
• Camel time is the centerpiece: Expect a focused 1-hour ride, not a half-day of wandering first
• Fruit trees and animals on-site: Papayas, mangoes, guavas, and farm animals inside a natural oasis of about 10,000 square meters
• Tapas lunch with drinks: Typical Canarian tapas served at the park’s restaurant
• Small group setup: Maximum of 15 travelers, with English offered

Fataga’s 1000 Palms Valley: Why This Camel Ride Works So Well

Gran Canaria can surprise you. Even if you’ve mostly pictured beach time and big city streets, Fataga brings a calmer, older-feeling side to the island. This experience centers on the Valle de Las Mil Palmeras (the 1000 Palms Valley), where you get close enough to really take in the palms and the tucked-away feel of the area.

The park is built around a natural oasis idea—about 10,000 square meters—with tropical gardens and a mix of plants and farm animals. That matters because you’re not just climbing on a camel and leaving. You get time in a garden setting with fruit trees like papayas, mangoes, and guavas, which helps the whole day feel like an experience with rhythm, not a quick photo stop.

If you like experiences that feel storybook-adjacent without being overly staged, you’ll probably enjoy the walk-through-camels vibe. The route is guided, and you’ll be moving through the palm groves in a caravan-style feel—closer to a Middle Eastern caravan moment than a theme park ride.

One extra detail that makes it feel authentic: the park’s dining room is also decorated like a museum of Canarian farming tools. It’s a small touch, but it gives the lunch space personality and helps the day connect to local island life, not just the animals.

Camel Safari Park La Baranda: Timing and Easy Getting-There

The day starts at 11:00 am, and the whole experience runs about 4 hours (approx.). It ends back at the same starting point, so you’re not left figuring out how to get yourself out afterward. The meeting spot is at Camel Safari Park, carretera hacia Fataga, k.m. 12, 35108 Fataga.

I appreciate that it’s set up to be simple to reach. It’s described as being near public transportation, which is helpful if you’re traveling without a rental car. And because this is a small-group tour (maximum 15 travelers), you usually get less chaos than the big-bus style excursions.

You’ll also use a mobile ticket. That’s practical on vacation—less paper, fewer “where did we put the voucher” moments.

Finally, the tour is offered in English, which is a big deal for comfort. Even when guides are friendly, language gaps can turn an otherwise beautiful place into guesswork. Here, you know you’ll have support.

Your 1-Hour Camel Ride: What the Palm Valley Feels Like

This is a camel ride with a purpose: you’re going through the impressive palm groves and the Fataga nature setting, not just a short track around a yard. The ride itself is 1 hour, and it’s guided so you can focus on the experience instead of figuring out what’s happening.

Expect that “caravan” feeling—walking with camels through a valley that has a real sense of depth. If you’re the type who likes viewpoints, this one is for you. The park highlights magnificent views of the Fataga Nature Reserve, and the whole point is that you get close to the Valle de Las Mil Palmeras.

Here’s why the “license to drive camels and dromedaries” matters. It’s not just a marketing line. It signals that the experience is meant to be interactive. You’re encouraged to feel like you’re participating, not just sitting while someone else does everything. (That’s a nice change from the more passive rides.)

Practical realities to keep in mind:

• Max rider weight is 120 kg.
• It’s not recommended for participants with back problems.
• Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Also, from what I’ve seen in similar hands-on animal experiences, you’ll likely want to wear secure footwear. You won’t need anything fancy, but stable shoes help you feel confident when you’re stepping on and off.

If you care about photos, plan that you might want a souvenir picture. There’s mention of extra-cost photo options in this kind of setting, so if you want one, treat it as a fun add-on rather than something “included by default.”

The Garden Tour: Fruit Trees, Farm Animals, and a Proper Sense of Place

The camel ride gets the spotlight, but the guided garden part is what turns the day into something you can talk about later. You’ll get a guided tour through tropical gardens with a variety of fruit trees—papayas, mangoes, guavas—and more.

This matters because it’s where the park’s concept shows up: an oasis where plants and animals share space. You’re not just looking at one animal type. The experience includes a wider farm-animal feel within the natural garden environment, and that adds texture and variety during downtime between the bigger moments.

You may also spot plenty of birds and animals roaming the grounds. In one instance, the presence of peacocks and parrots has been part of what people remember—so if you like seeing animals up close in a calm setting, keep your eyes open during the walk.

A small but important note on expectations: this is called a garden tour, not an all-day trek. Some people have felt it isn’t a full walking garden experience. So if your dream is hours and hours of botanical wandering, you might find it more like a guided grounds tour that supports the camel ride and lunch.

That said, the mix of garden time plus animal encounters keeps the day from feeling like a one-note event. It’s also a calmer pace than you might expect after an hour on camel back.

Lunch at the Park: Canarian Tapas and Drinks in a Museum-Style Setting

Lunch is handled on-site at the park’s restaurant. What you’re getting is typical Canarian tapas for lunch, with drinks included.

This is one of the biggest value signals in the whole setup. You’re not just paying for a camel ride; you’re staying for food in a place that feels connected to the farm-and-garden theme. The dining room is described as decorated with old Canarian farm implements, which gives you a more distinctive setting than a generic restaurant.

Another thing that’s worth noting for value: the tapas are described as coming from ingredients grown in the park grounds. That’s meaningful. In places like this, when food is tied to the property, it usually tastes fresher and feels more intentional.

From a practical point of view, tapas are also flexible. You’ll likely get a good mix without the pressure of choosing a single heavy entrée. And because drinks come with the lunch, it helps you settle in and recharge before heading out again.

If you’re picky about dietary needs, you’ll want to ask ahead of time when you book, since the exact menu details aren’t listed here.

Price and Value: Why About $57.67 Feels Fair for What You Get

At $57.67 per person, this isn’t a budget-only camel ride. But when you look at what’s bundled, the price starts to make sense.

You’re paying for:

• 1-hour camel ride
• Guided tour through the tropical garden
• Typical Canarian tapas for lunch
• Drinks
• A small group size (max 15)
• English offered

Many camel activities on Gran Canaria focus on the ride itself, then send you away. Here, the ride is only one part of the experience, and the included lunch-and-gardens element pushes it toward “day experience” territory.

Timing also plays in your favor: the tour is about 4 hours, which is long enough to feel like you did something meaningful, but not so long that it crushes your whole day. Booking is typically made about 25 days in advance on average, which usually suggests it’s a popular, dependable attraction.

If you want a single activity that mixes scenery, animals, and food, this looks like a solid use of your time.

Weather and Day-of Realities (Including Road Disruptions)

This experience requires good weather. That’s not a small detail—camels and outdoor walking are always easier when skies are clear and ground conditions are stable.

Also, keep in mind that outside factors can affect roads and access. There’s at least one documented case where road work prevented the excursion from happening, and a refund was provided. The takeaway for you: plan this day with a little flexibility, and don’t schedule something critical immediately afterward if you can avoid it.

When weather is poor, you should expect the operator to offer a different date or a full refund. So the risk is usually handled, but it still means you may need to adjust your schedule.

Who Should Book This Camel Ride in Fataga (and Who Should Skip It)

This tour is a great fit if you:

• Want an animal experience that includes real scenery time
• Like gardens and plants as part of the day, not just animals
• Prefer smaller groups and a guided setup
• Enjoy the idea of Canarian tapas without hunting for lunch plans later

It may not be a good fit if:

• You have back problems (it’s not recommended)
• You exceed the 120 kg maximum rider weight
• You’re expecting a long walking trek as the main activity

Families can work well here too. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and kids under 4 get free entry, which can help keep costs under control.

Should You Book This Camel Ride With Tapas and Drinks?

Yes—if you want a well-rounded Gran Canaria day that combines the palm valley camel ride with a guided tropical garden visit and a proper included lunch. The best reason to book is that it’s not only about the animals; it gives you views of Fataga Nature Reserve, time in the gardens, and food that’s part of the experience.

Skip or rethink it only if you have back issues, need a very active hiking-style itinerary, or you want a strictly low-cost option where nothing is bundled. If you go in expecting a guided, scenic, hands-on animal day—then this one is likely to hit the mark.

FAQ

How long is the whole experience?

The experience runs about 4 hours (approx.), starting at 11:00 am and ending back at the meeting point.

How long is the camel ride?

The camel safari includes a 1-hour camel ride.

Is lunch and drinks included?

Yes. You’ll have typical Canarian tapas for lunch and drinks are included.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

Are there age limits for children?

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Children under 4 years old get free entry.

Is it suitable for people with back problems?

It is not recommended for participants with back problems. There is also a maximum rider weight of 120 kg.

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