Las Vegas Safari Tram Ride and Zoo Tour at Camel Safari

About an hour outside Las Vegas, Camel Safari feels worlds away from casino lights and slot machines. The main attraction is a safari tram ride across 176 acres, where you can see more than 30 camels living in a broad desert setting before walking with keepers to meet the smaller animals.

I like two things here: you get real time with the staff instead of simply looking through fences, and the mix of animals is unusually varied. You may feed or touch selected animals, ask questions about camel biology, and take a photo with an ambassador camel. The main drawback is the long drive from Las Vegas, plus the fact that intense desert heat or poor weather can disrupt the visit.

Key points to know before you go

• More than 30 camels: See a large herd of camels, along with llamas and donkeys, across the property.
• A tram, not a long hike: The vehicle makes it easier to cover the 176-acre site, especially in hot weather.
• Hands-on animal time: Selected encounters may include feeding a porcupine or sloth and posing with an ambassador camel.
• A small-group feel: The package is promoted for up to 12 people, while the stated maximum is 25.
• Guides who work with the animals: Staff members such as Adam, Guy, and Allie lead tours and answer questions.
• Plan for the desert: Bring a hat and sunscreen, and check the weather before making the drive.

Why this is more than a camel photo stop

Camel Safari is not a conventional city zoo. It is a large animal property in Bunkerville, Nevada, with camels at its center and a collection of unusual creatures around them.

That difference matters. You are not just stopping for a quick picture beside a camel. The outing combines a tram ride, keeper-led animal visits, background about camelids, and selected hands-on encounters. I like that format because it gives you both a sense of the property and time to focus on individual animals.

The setting also adds to the appeal. Las Vegas can feel carefully built and highly polished. Here, the atmosphere is more rural and open. The property has appeared on The Bachelorette, but its main draw is simpler: animals, staff, and plenty of room.

The package costs $104 and lasts about two hours. That is not a bargain-priced zoo admission, but the price makes more sense if you want a guided outing rather than a self-guided walk. Your ticket includes access to the tram, a guide, and the keeper-led tour. If you are mainly interested in seeing camels from a distance, you may find the cost hard to justify. If you value personal attention and animal encounters, it is a stronger deal.

Getting from Las Vegas to Bunkerville

The meeting point is Camel Safari, 2725 River Cliff Road, Bunkerville, Nevada 89007. The property sits about an hour outside Las Vegas, so you need to allow time for the drive in both directions.

The tour begins at 10:00 a.m. and returns to the same meeting point. There is no hotel pickup listed, so plan to reach the property on your own. A mobile ticket is accepted, which keeps the arrival process simple, but communication appears to be an area where you should take care. One booking problem resulted in a missed visit after a customer could not get a call returned, and another involved confusion about a weather closure.

My practical advice is to confirm the start time and operating status before setting out, especially if the forecast calls for extreme heat. The property once had to close during a 117-degree day and an excessive heat warning. That kind of temperature is dangerous for people and animals, so weather decisions can change quickly.

The tram ride across 176 acres

The tram is the best way to understand the scale of Camel Safari. Instead of walking the full property under the Nevada sun, you ride through the grounds with a guide and look for the camels that live there.

More than 30 camels are part of the tour. The wider animal group has also been described as including llamas and donkeys, with one account putting the combined number at 36. You should expect the camels to be the main event, not a brief stop between unrelated exhibits.

The guide explains camelid history and the physical traits that help these animals live in dry places. This is useful context because it turns the ride into more than a sightseeing loop. You begin to notice the animals as specialized desert mammals rather than simply as unusual mounts or photo subjects.

The tram format works well for families. Children get movement and changing views, while adults can listen to the guide without having to keep everyone moving along a path. The small-group setup is another plus. The activity is described as limited to 12 people, although the additional information gives a maximum of 25, so the actual group size may vary. Either way, the goal is a guided visit rather than a crowd passing through at its own pace.

Keep your expectations realistic. This is a working animal property, not a theatrical safari in Africa. You will be viewing animals on their home grounds, and they may not perform on cue. That is part of the appeal, but it also means the exact quality of each encounter depends on the animals’ mood and the day’s conditions.

Meeting an ambassador camel

After the tram portion, you learn more about the camels and may have a direct encounter with one of the property’s ambassador animals. The experience includes the chance to get hands-on and take a photo with a camel.

This is where the outing becomes especially memorable for children. A camel is far larger and more expressive up close than it appears from behind a railing. You can ask about behavior, care, and the animals’ adaptations while standing near one of them.

The property’s named camels include Fabio and Ambien, though the specific animal available during your visit can vary. Some people arrive hoping for a camel ride, but this package is a tram ride and zoo tour, not a camel-riding experience. Camel rides have not always been available, including during the period described in the supplied information.

That distinction is important when comparing tickets. If riding a camel is your main goal, confirm that a riding option is operating before booking. If you mainly want contact, photographs, and an explanation of camel behavior, the ambassador encounter may satisfy you without putting you on an animal’s back.

From porcupines to a two-toed sloth

The second half of the tour takes you around the property to see its other animals with the keepers. The lineup can include zebras, singing dogs, porcupines, armadillos, opossums, hedgehogs, and a two-toed sloth.

This variety is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing. The camel herd gives you scale and desert character, while the smaller animals create more personal moments. Feeding a porcupine or sloth may be possible during the keeper visit, depending on the animal and the staff’s instructions.

The two-toed sloth, named Ambien, is an especially good example of why patience helps. Sloths are slow by nature and may prefer to remain in place rather than interact. You might get a close look and a photo opportunity, but you should not expect a lively animal encounter every time.

The zebra and donkey hybrid is another unusual sight. It is the sort of animal you are unlikely to encounter at a standard city zoo, and the guide can explain what makes it different. The singing dogs also add an unexpected note to the tour, though the exact behavior you see depends on the animals.

I appreciate the chance to ask questions as you move from one enclosure or habitat to the next. The strongest part of the visit is not simply the number of species. It is the chance to hear why each animal is on the property, how it behaves, and how the staff cares for it.

Staff make the difference

A tour like this depends heavily on the people leading it. Adam has been described as personable and informative, while Guy and Allie have led other visits and helped with feeding and animal care. You may not have the same guide, but the format gives you direct access to someone who works with the animals.

Guy is also associated with the operation as its owner. Some longer versions of the property’s activities have included early feeding time with him, but do not assume that feeding is part of this specific 10:00 a.m. tram and zoo package. The listed experience focuses on the tram ride, animal tour, keeper interaction, and questions.

The best staff members do more than recite facts. They watch the animals, explain what is happening, and adjust the pace for the group. That makes a real difference when a child has lots of questions or when an animal decides to ignore the scheduled moment.

There is a small caution here. One account described staff as less attentive at times, with questions not always addressed promptly. That does not erase the many positive accounts of friendly and well-informed guides, but it is a reminder that the experience can depend on the day and the particular team on duty.

Is the animal care part of the appeal?

The strongest impression from the available information is that animal care is central to the property’s identity. The animals are described as healthy, friendly, and well treated, and the staff focus on explaining their needs rather than pushing constant interaction.

That matters when you are deciding how to spend time with captive wildlife. A good encounter should leave room for the animal to opt out. The sloth that stays in place is not a failed attraction. It is behaving like a sloth, and the guide can help you understand that.

The same applies to the camels. They may approach, pause, or wander away. Your hands-on time will be guided by the staff, and you should follow their instructions closely. The chance to feed or touch an animal is a bonus, not a guarantee for every creature.

This approach gives the tour educational value. You learn about camelids, desert adaptations, and the habits of less familiar animals. It also makes the outing a good fit for families who want something more thoughtful than a quick photo opportunity.

How long the visit really takes

The advertised duration is about two hours. That is enough time for a tram ride and a guided visit, but the exact pace may vary with group size, animal behavior, and the number of questions.

Some longer activities at the property have lasted more than three hours, particularly when they included feeding or an extended private visit. Do not use those reports as a promise that this package will run that long. They do show that the staff may spend extra time with a small group when the schedule allows.

If you are building a full day outside Las Vegas, leave some flexibility around the 10:00 a.m. start. The drive itself takes about an hour each way, and an animal visit is rarely as exact as a museum timed entry. The tour ends back at the starting point, so you can continue with your own plans afterward.

Heat, clothing, and useful preparation

The desert sun is the main practical issue. Bring a hat, sunscreen, and water for the drive and the visit. The tram reduces walking, but it does not remove the heat.

Wear clothing and shoes suited to an outdoor animal property. The available information does not specify a dress code or special equipment, so simple, comfortable outdoor clothing is the sensible choice. You may be close to animals, so avoid anything you would not want exposed to dust or ordinary farm conditions.

Check the forecast before you leave Las Vegas. The activity requires good weather, and extreme heat can lead to cancellation for safety reasons. If the operator cancels because of weather, you are offered another date or a full refund.

The booking has free cancellation if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 10:00 a.m. start time. Within 24 hours, the amount paid is not refunded, and changes are not accepted. Cutoff times use local Nevada time.

Who will enjoy this most?

Families with children are a natural match. The tram keeps the outing manageable, while camels, zebras, porcupines, singing dogs, and a sloth provide enough variety to hold attention. The hands-on elements can be especially rewarding for children who learn best by seeing and doing.

Animal lovers will also find plenty to appreciate. The property offers more personal contact than a standard zoo visit, and the guide-led format gives you time to ask questions. You do not need to know much about camels beforehand.

This is also a good choice if you are staying in Mesquite or exploring northeastern Nevada and want a local activity. From Las Vegas, the drive makes it a half-day commitment once you include the return trip.

I would be more cautious about booking it for someone who wants a polished, tightly timed attraction or guaranteed animal behavior. It is an outdoor property, weather matters, and the quality of the visit depends partly on the guide and the animals’ willingness to participate.

Should you book the Camel Safari tram tour?

Book it if you want a small-group animal outing with real keeper contact, unusual species, and a chance to meet more than just camels. The combination of a 176-acre tram ride, 30-plus camels, a camel photo, and selected encounters with animals such as porcupines and sloths gives the $104 price reasonable value for the right audience.

Skip it if you are looking for a quick Las Vegas attraction, a guaranteed camel ride, or a low-cost zoo visit. The drive is significant, the heat can be severe, and the schedule may change in bad weather.

For families and curious animal lovers, I would put this high on the list of day trips from Las Vegas. Confirm the operating details before you drive, pack sun protection, and arrive ready for an animal visit that is educational, personal, and a little unpredictable.

FAQ

Where is Camel Safari located?

Camel Safari is at 2725 River Cliff Road, Bunkerville, Nevada 89007, USA.

How far is Camel Safari from Las Vegas?

The property is about an hour outside Las Vegas.

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 10:00 a.m.

How long does the tram and zoo tour last?

The activity lasts approximately two hours.

How many camels can I expect to see?

The tour includes more than 30 camels living at Camel Safari.

Is this a camel-riding tour?

No. This package includes a safari tram ride and a chance to interact with an ambassador camel, but it does not promise a camel ride.

What other animals are at Camel Safari?

The tour may include zebras, singing dogs, porcupines, a two-toed sloth, armadillos, opossums, and hedgehogs. Llamas and donkeys are also part of the animal collection.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Most people can participate, and the tram and hands-on animal encounters make this a family-friendly activity.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If the activity is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.