Palm valleys beat any postcard.

At Camel Safari Park La Baranda in Fataga, you get close to the Valle de Las Mil Palmeras and ride through palm groves that feel oddly like a different region of the world. I especially like the camel time with a proper guide and the included lunch of Canarian tapas made with ingredients grown on site. One thing to keep in mind: the day is weather-dependent, and the camel portion may be shorter or adjusted if conditions or operations get in the way.

This is a fun, low-stress way to spend half a day in Gran Canaria without turning it into a long bus tour. You also get a guided walk through a tropical garden full of fruit trees and farm animals, so you’re not just sitting on a camel and hoping for the best. The main drawback is that this is not a great fit if you have back problems, and some parts aren’t really designed as a long, full-on botanical garden stroll.

Quick hits before you go

• 1-hour camel ride in a palm valley setting that genuinely feels special
• License to drive camels and dromedaries for all clients (a fun extra, not just a photo op)
• Tropical garden + guided tour with fruit trees like papaya, mango, and guava
• All-in lunch: typical Canarian tapas with drinks at the on-site restaurant
• Small group size with a maximum of 15 travelers
• Laid-back animal time, including a chance to meet and feed baby camels and donkeys

Camel Safari Park La Baranda: what you’re really buying

You’re paying for a specific kind of experience: getting hands-on with animals, plus scenery, plus food, all in one place. For about $57.67 per person, you’re not just buying a ride. You’re also getting guided time in the park’s gardens and a tapas lunch that’s meant to be part of the whole visit.

The setting matters. La Baranda sits in the Fataga area, right near the Fataga Nature Reserve, with views that help explain why this valley is such a magnet for visitors. The vibe is small-park calm, not big-theme-park chaos.

Also, you’re not stuck with a giant crowd. The tour caps at 15 travelers, which makes the experience feel more personal when you’re getting instructions and when the guide is pointing things out.

Entering the 1000 Palms Valley from the saddle

The big visual hook is the Valle de Las Mil Palmeras, also known as the 1000 Palms Valley. When you stroll and ride through that palm grove, you really do get a Middle East-like feel—sun, palms, and a sense of being tucked into a protected pocket of greenery.

Your camel ride is described as an hour, and in practice that ride time can vary by pace and flow at the park. Some guests report around 30 minutes for the ride itself, others mention 50 to 60 minutes. Either way, you should expect a guided route through the palm valley rather than a short loop that feels too quick to remember.

From the saddle, what I like most is the contrast: Gran Canaria is often known for dramatic coast and high viewpoints, but here you’re in a quieter, greener corridor. The guide usually keeps things moving, and you get the sense you’re going somewhere, not just making laps.

Garden tour time: fruit trees and more animals than you expect

After the camel portion (or sometimes before, depending on how the day runs), you’ll get a guided walk through the tropical gardens. This isn’t sold as a distant viewpoint. It’s closer to a living farm and animal area—tucked into about 10,000 square meters of natural oasis.

You’re likely to see fruit trees like papaya, mango, and guava. It’s a simple detail, but it changes the whole feel of the visit. You’re not only looking at plants; you’re seeing a place where those plants are actually part of daily life.

And then there’s the animal element beyond the camels. Guests describe lots of birds in the park (including peacocks and parrots). It makes the garden walk feel lively, even when the pace stays relaxed. You’ll also have time around farm animals, including the chance to meet and feed baby camels and donkeys.

The tapas-and-drinks lunch in a Canarian farm setting

The food is a key reason to choose this exact stop. Lunch isn’t an afterthought here. The park has an on-site restaurant with a dining room that’s decorated like a small museum of Canarian farm implements, so the meal feels tied to the place.

The tour includes typical Canarian tapas and drinks. What stands out from how guests describe it is freshness: tapas made from ingredients grown in the grounds of the safari park. If you’ve ever had tapas that taste like they were assembled for convenience, you’ll appreciate this approach.

This is also a practical win. You get to eat on site, so you’re not hunting for food in a rural valley area where restaurant choices may be limited or where lunch timing can get messy.

That license to drive camels thing (and why it’s fun)

One of the more memorable highlights is that all clients are given a license to drive camels and dromedaries. On paper, that sounds like a gimmick. In reality, it adds a playful sense of achievement to the ride.

Here’s the value for your day: you’re not just one of many faces passing through a pen. You get a small ceremony-like moment that makes the experience feel like an activity you completed, not an animal encounter you casually watched.

It’s also a nice way to get people into the right mindset. Even if you’re not a confident rider, you’ll approach the camel calmly because the staff clearly wants you to feel informed and ready.

Timing, group size, and how to plan your half day

The whole experience runs about 4 hours. The start time is 11:00 am, and it returns to the same meeting point, so it’s easy to build into a longer day exploring Gran Canaria.

You’ll be in a group that’s typically no more than 15 travelers, which helps because instructions are clearer and you’re not constantly stepping aside. This is especially helpful with kids and first-time camel riders.

The experience is offered in English, and you’ll receive a mobile ticket, which is the kind of detail that saves time when you’re trying to park, find the entrance, and settle in.

Getting there: the meeting point you should recognize fast

The meeting point is listed as Camel Safari Park on the road toward Fataga, k.m. 12 (35108 Fataga, Las Palmas, Spain). Since the tour says it’s near public transportation, it can be a workable option if you’re not renting a car—but you still want to arrive a few minutes early.

Also: plan for real roads and real rural driving. One guest reported that road work and a road block affected the excursion and the experience did not happen, with a refund provided. That’s not the norm you should assume, but it’s a good reason to keep the rest of your day flexible.

Who should book this camel ride and tapas day

This is a strong choice if you want:

• a real animal experience (not just a staged photo)
• a guided garden walk that includes fruit trees and birds
• a half-day plan that mixes scenery + food without extra searching

It’s also a good fit for families, with clear expectations: children must be accompanied by an adult, and kids under 4 years old have free entry.

The tour is not recommended for participants with back problems. That matters. If you know riding can be uncomfortable for you, treat that as a real warning, not a casual note.

Finally, there’s a maximum rider weight of 120 kg. If you’re close to that limit, double-check before booking.

Price and value: does $57.67 make sense?

At $57.67 per person, you’re paying for a package: camel ride + guided garden tour + tapas lunch + drinks. That’s a fair structure because each piece costs time and staff effort.

The value really depends on how you like spending your travel money. If you love hands-on experiences and you’ll actually use the included meal, this price looks reasonable. If you mostly want a quick camel photo and nothing else, you might feel you paid for more than you used.

Also consider that some guests describe the camel ride duration as closer to 30 minutes while the ride is listed as 1 hour. That doesn’t automatically mean anything is wrong, but it’s worth mentally preparing for a shorter ride than you might imagine if you’re picturing a full hour of continuous motion.

How it feels on the ground: service and small surprises

The tone at La Baranda seems consistently friendly. Multiple guests mention that staff feel welcoming from the moment you arrive. People also describe guides speaking both English and Spanish, which helps if your Spanish is rusty and you still want to understand what you’re seeing.

There are also examples of staff going beyond basics. One guide named Anita is mentioned as going above and beyond, including making a cake and providing party hats for a birthday. That kind of detail is why a smaller park visit can feel warmer than larger operations.

There’s a small extra-fee element too: you may be offered a photo option with your camel for an additional cost. If you enjoy photos, keep a little budget aside.

Should you book Camel Ride in Fataga with Tapas and drinks?

I’d book this if you want a genuine change of pace in Gran Canaria: palm valley views, a guided garden walk with real animals, and an included lunch you don’t have to plan separately. The small group size and the on-site food help it feel efficient and personal.

I’d hesitate if you’re dealing with back issues, because the tour specifically warns against it. And I’d also think twice if you’re the type who needs a very long walking tour, since this experience is more about the ride plus the garden and animals than about a long, slow botanical stroll.

If you’re ready for a half-day that mixes scenery, animals, and practical value, this is one of the more sensible ways to experience Fataga.

FAQ

Where is the camel ride meeting point in Fataga?

It meets at Camel Safari Park on the road toward Fataga at k.m. 12, 35108 Fataga, Las Palmas, Spain.

What time does the experience start?

The start time is 11:00 am.

How long does the experience last?

The duration is about 4 hours.

What do I get included in the price?

You get a 1-hour camel ride, a guided tour through the tropical garden, and typical Canarian tapas for lunch with drinks.

Is there anything not included?

No items are listed as not included.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

Do I need to print anything, or is there a mobile ticket?

You get a mobile ticket.

Can children participate?

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

Is this recommended if I have back problems?

No. It is not recommended for participants with back problems.

Is there a weight limit for riders?

Yes. The maximum weight of a rider is 120 kg.

What if weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.