A Maspalomas camel ride on the dunes of Gran Canaria
Plodding through the dunes, the only sound was our voices as the camels padded slowly across the sand, the sun shining above us in a cloudless sky. Casting humped shadows on the gold, we could have been in the heart of the Sahara – until you caught a glimpse of Maspalomas beyond the windswept dunes.
Besides, unlike mine, I don’t think many Saharan camels are called Richard…
The dunes of Maspalomas in Gran Canaria are a natural wonder, unspoiled, protected and covering around 400 hectares, providing a home to plants found only in the Canary Islands. Camels, meanwhile, have been on the islands since the 15th century.
Touristy it might seem, but one thing I wasn’t going to miss was the chance to ride a camel in Gran Canaria, through this mini desert.
I have a soft spot for camels, after riding them in Egypt and Jordan, and I’d far rather clamber onto one than a donkey (all barking) or a horse. For starters, camels don’t generally bolt whey they see an unexpected leaf.
They might be a bit smelly, mine always seem to have at least one extra pair of knees compared to the others gliding smoothly across the sand, but I can’t help being fond of them.
Even the sneaky one behind me in the camel train who seized every opportunity to nibble in my direction – any doubts I’d had about the makeshift chickenwire muzzles (which still allow them to munch plants) evaporated once I realise it would stop them munching me.
Camello Safari Dunas is the main company behind the Maspalomas camel tour on Gran Canaria. The mini camel safaris last around half an hour, just long enough to get a taste of the dunes and some extremely shaky video.
You can take kids as well – aged three and up, they’re technically supposed to have their own seat (and are charged accordingly) but my friend’s petite four-year-old was very happily left on her lap.
I was distinctly dubious about whether Minnie would like the idea of riding a camel at all – I suspected she’d think it would be a fabulous idea in theory, then when confronted with a real live large camel, she’d change her mind.
In the end, she insisted she wanted to ride one and we got as far as sitting her on my lap before the camel lumbered up in their jerky fashion (like deckchairs snapping open, I always think) – at which point, she decided she was done.
Fortunately for once, I could simply hand her down to my husband and relax back to enjoy the ride.
The Maspalomas camel ride is actually a great way to see the dunes with children though. I’d have loved to have spent a bit longer clambering over them afterwards but thanks to a satnav which kept trying to direct me through no entry signs on our journey there, we’d run out of time by the end of the safari.
I suspect that might also be something which sounds fun in theory but is less enjoyable for a toddler once they test the reality of large heaps of slippery sand.
When you dismount, there are baby camels to see – the company also runs a breeding programme – and a shop selling camel toys. Before I could be talked into buying one, we managed to escape and Maspalomas itself is just a short walk away with restaurants, the promenade and some distinctly more child-friendly sand on the beach.
Need to know: Maspalomas camel ride
Camello safari is open seven days a week from 9am to 4pm with rides running every 15 minutes and lasting 30-35 minutes. Adult tickets are 15 Euros, child tickets cost 10 Euros for three to 12-year-olds. Under threes go free and need to sit on an adult’s knee.
You can buy tickets in advance but no reservations are needed so it’s just as easy to turn up and buy them at the camel station for the next ride. You may need to pay in cash.
The safari station is on Avenida Oceania, not far from the beach and the Charca de Maspalomas (the pond near the beach). After driving around in circles and putting our car in a car park on Avenida Touroperador Tui, we found it by walking along until you could see the camels but there is a map on the website.
PIN FOR LATER: MASPALOMAS CAMEL RIDE
Images and video: copyright MummyTravels
LIKED THIS? SIGN UP FOR MY EMAIL NEWSLETTER
I love that your camel was called Richard.
Master ATWWAH was the same as Minnie and really not up for riding a camel once he met them up close. To be fair one had just urinated very close to him and frankly even without the wee, camels don’t smell too great.
Great post though and you got some unusual ‘me time’
I know – somehow it takes away from the desert mystery! I suppose when you’re two/three, a camel is VERY large too. The four-year-old with us did seem to be entertained pointing out every time the camels pooed along the way (quite often, it turns out…)
Looks like you and Richard had a fun time together! It does look like a great place to take children
#TriedTested
We did indeed! Well, I certainly did – and the camel behind me seemed to be having fun attempting to nibble my T-shirt 🙂 A great one for a family holiday I think.
That looks like a fantastic place to visit! It looks like you had a great time!
We did – really is so much to do there, I could very happily have spent another week exploring! (I wish…)
Wow that is a hell of a lot cheaper than a 2 min walk on a camel in Dubai! Looks fab #triedandtested
I can imagine! Lots of fun too – you wouldn’t believe Maspalomas was over the dunes sometimes.
I went here years ago when i was teen , this brings some memories back x #triedtested
Fun ones, I hope – I wonder how much it’s changed?
I think everyone has to try a camel ride at some time in their life.
Definitely – have had some very memorable camel rides over the years.
This actually seems like a really good price – camel riding is definitely not as expensive as I have imagined. My mum has given it a try and agrees with you – very smelly! It does seem like a fun way to see the dunes though and I think my children would love it. Thanks for linking to #traveltales. I’ve added this post to our pinterest board 😀 xx
Absolutely – I think as it’s a relatively short tour around the dunes, but with kids that’s probably just the right length anyway. I think the experience is a lot of fun too as soon as you’re old enough not to be a bit scared of camels!
Love that your camel was called Richard! My husbands name:) I agree with you completely Cathy, it is a little touristy but an absolutely must do when visiting Gran Canaria!
That really tickled me too, the others did seem a bit more exotic (although maybe Richard is exotic in Spain!). I do love the chance to ride a camel too.
I’ve never been on a camel! What a great experience – sounds like you are a bit of an expert now Cathy! I’m sure Minnie will share your love of it in time but good job hubby was there to take care of her. #mondayescapes
I do find it weirdly enjoyable, however smelly they are. Give me a camel over a donkey any day! And it was so nice to be able to plod off rather than have to clamber down when she decided against it for once…
I wonder whether my two would follow your daughter’s example and get down right at the start of the ride? I’ll have to give it a go sometime. This looks like so much fun – can’t believe I’ve never ridden a camel before.
I have to say I was more surprised when she insisted she wanted to get on than when she decided to get down. But you never know, she does surprise me – I think part of it was realising she was a long way off the ground when they stood up.
Oh my goodness that looks like SO much fun! I’ve always wanted to ride camels, thanks for sharing your experience! xo #MondayEscapes
It really was – I do love a bit of camel riding, and this is definitely a fun way to try it without having to find a huge desert 🙂
Isn’t camel riding a weird feeling! I first did it in Cairo but he didn’t have anywhere near as good a name as Richard…too funny!!
It really is – I always look at everyone else apparently gliding serenely across the sand and wonder I got the one with the extra pair of knees! I may rechristen all camels Richard from now on 😉
Looks like a fun adventure! I’ve been on a camel twice in Morocco, and you are definitely right – they seem to be pretty chill and even-paced. Though it still baffles me how they abruptly stand up – I really had to hold on tight once I was in the saddle!
It is incredibly jerky as they go up and down, isn’t it. A lot of fun once you’re up though.
I like the idea of seeing babty camels. I think Monkey would have been a little scared to ride on – they are terribly jerky when getting up! Great idea and something a little different. The dunes looks wonderful. Thanks for linking up with #MondayEscapes
They were very cute. And I keep getting told by my daughter that she’s going to ride a camel properly when she’s 4 (ie entirely grown up, in her head at least). We shall see 🙂