rio safari elche english

Rio Safari Elche is a privately owned center managed by a small and family-run team of young and enthusiastic individuals who are fully committed to every aspect of our work.

We tell you about río safari.

Río Safari is a 12-hectare park located in a tourist spot of the Costa Blanca, in a palm grove of over a hundred years old that is a UNESCO World Heritage site of the town. The park is constantly advancing in the restoration of its facilities and increasingly getting involved in conservation projects, which requires us to attend to many needs. In our case, all our activity is based on our own effort and initiatives, as our income and demands depend entirely on the public that visits us.

After the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, Río Safari Elche remained closed to the public during a crucial period of the year for generating the budget for the whole year, in a region heavily dependent on spring and summer holiday tourism, of which only 10% of visitors are locals. Although we lacked income, our daily work still involves the investment of many resources and expenses, and since 2020 the challenge has not been easy to face.

An extraordinary human team

Not all heroes wear capes! Some can be seen here with wheelbarrows, tractors, baskets and trays, drills and screws in hand, brushes, rakes, veterinary kits, branches or raincoats to continue working in the rain, and hats to continue working in the sun. From the animal nutrition and kitchen department to the giraffe caregiver, including the veterinarian and the all-around assistant who helps in all departments, the work is tireless and requires sensitivity and dedication.

We keep working

Despite the difficulties that we have all faced to some extent since 2020, our effort has not faltered. It was the summer of 2020 and, in the midst of the pandemic, after having been closed to the public and with restrictions in place, Río Safari Elche had already planned to renovate the jaguar facility and the decision was made to go ahead with the project.

Over the years since the park was founded in the early 80s, most of our facilities have suffered from the passage of time, deterioration, and were not up to current standards. Year after year, Río Safari Elche has renovated each of its facilities one by one, and the decision was made to redouble efforts so that in 2020 we would not take steps backwards.

Conservation projects 2020/21

Although some budget items of our work necessarily had to be eliminated or reduced since 2020, such as investment in gardening, printing of promotional material, smaller staff for customer service, or advertising rentals, there were others that we made an effort to maintain. In 2020, Río Safari Elche collaborated with its own resources with a project of the Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas (CSIC) for the conservation of critically endangered gazelles in the Sahara, for their subsequent reintroduction into their natural habitat. After hosting a group of Cuvier’s gazelles, we welcomed another group in 2021, this time of Dama gazelles.

Come and Visit us!

With your visit, you can support our daily work of caring for more than 500 animals and our involvement in more projects. We still have much work ahead, and during this stage of changes and improvements for our zoo, we express our most sincere gratitude to our visitors.

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Rio Safari Elche

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

RIO SAFARI ELCHE: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

• Sun - Sat 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
• (3.17 km) Hotel Gran Playa
• (1.78 km) Huerto de la Luz
• (4.78 km) Hostal Quatre Llunes
• (12.90 km) Alannia Guardamar
• (15.54 km) NH Alicante
• (5.09 km) Jou Burger
• (5.47 km) Chill Out Grill
• (4.40 km) Sidrería Restaurante El Llagarin
• (8.52 km) Selecte Restaurant
• (9.97 km) El Pilon de la Negra Alicante

• +34 96 665 81 96
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ACTIVE AND FUN

It seems that the destiny of the centennial palm grove, made up of about four thousand trees and known as Los Leones or The Lions, in reference to the two sculptures at its entrance, was preordained.

This was the location selected to establish the Rio Safari Elche Park in 1983, by the CV 865 road which links Elche, which is nine kilometres away, and Santa Pola, just four kilometres away.  

A Hundred Species

Rio Safari Park are specialists in rearing and caring for wild and exotic animals. Sea lions, antelopes, ostriches, bisons, boa constrictors, zebras, chameleons, cockatoos, chimpanzees, crows, llamas, jaguars, dromedaries, hippos and giraffes may be found here amongst almost a hundred species and nearly 800 animals.

To enjoy their unique company a guided tour by train may be taken around the park. There are also various shows to enjoy including the sea lions, with the possibility of bathing in their company and the guacamayos.

Rio Safari Elche, through its charitable foundation, has developed a therapeutic programmes involving sea lions, designed for people with disabilities.

Some highlights of the Rio Safari Park are the reptile cave, where the habitats of reptiles and amphibians are recreated, the aviary, the crocodile farm and the chimpanzee island with more than 1,000 square metres of open space, with vines, rocks and hammocks as well as the farm school, with painting, bread baking and recycling workshops. Young children may get to know the little goats and lemurs and have a ride on a pony or dromedary.

In the restaurant it is possible to taste a typical rice dish baked over wood chips. For those who prefer to bring their own food, there is a picnic area and there is also a cafeteria.

In addition there are trampolines, a kart circuit and, in the summer, a swimming pool with slide.

Opening Hours

• Winter: 10:00 to 18:00.
• Summer: 10:00 to 20:00.

Admission Fees

• Adults: 22.50 €.
• Children from 3 to 12 years old: 17 € (proof of age required).
• Special prices for groups of over 20 people with prior reservation): Adults 14 €, Children 12 €.

These prices include: a guided tour by train, a visit to the reptile cave, the aviary, the crocodile farm, the farm school, the animal shows and, in the summer, the swimming pool.

• Telephone:  966 63 82 88
• Web:   www.riosafari.com
• Flickr Río Safari

Rio Safari Elche

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Rio Safari Elche - All You MUST Know Before You Go (2024)

• Sun - Sat 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
• (3.17 km) Hotel Gran Playa
• (1.78 km) Huerto de la Luz
• (4.78 km) Hostal Quatre Llunes
• (12.90 km) Alannia Guardamar
• (15.54 km) NH Alicante
• (5.09 km) Jou Burger
• (5.47 km) Chill Out Grill
• (4.40 km) Sidrería Restaurante El Llagarin
• (8.52 km) Selecte Restaurant
• (9.97 km) El Pilon de la Negra Alicante

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• Partida Valverde Bajo, (Carretera Elche - Santa Pola), 102
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Adulto (12-65 años): 22,5€. Infantil (hasta 12 años): 17€. Baby (menores de 3 años): Gratis. Discapacitados: 11,90€ (tarifa fija)

Have you always wanted to swim with sea lions or see giraffes or chimpanzees up close? Río Safari is an animal park located between Elche and Santa Pola that will make your dreams come true.

Sitting just 4km from the beach and with 4,500 palm trees , the park has a tropical feel. Over a hundred different animal species call the park home, including white lions, Bornean orangutangs, Angolan giraffes, chimpanzees, lions, Bengali tigers and sealions.

The park is divided into areas which recreate different ecosystems, namely the African savanna, the reptile cave, chimpanzee island, the orangutang sanctuary, Australia, lion kingdom, the aviary and the educational farm. Beyond visiting the animals, you can also enjoy exhibitions, go go-karting and play in the kids’ area .

In terms of experiences, Río Safari Elche has got something unique: the opportunity to swim with sealions. There is also a water park , open in the summer, where you can spend hours sliding down the flumes and splashing around.

Río Safari promises a day of family fun with animals from all over the world.

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Rio Safari Elche

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Rio Safari Elche - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024) - Tripadvisor

• Sun - Sat 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
• (3.17 km) Hotel Gran Playa
• (1.78 km) Huerto de la Luz
• (4.78 km) Hostal Quatre Llunes
• (12.90 km) Alannia Guardamar
• (15.54 km) NH Alicante
• (5.09 km) Jou Burger
• (5.47 km) Chill Out Grill
• (4.40 km) Sidrería Restaurante El Llagarin
• (8.52 km) Selecte Restaurant
• (9.97 km) El Pilon de la Negra Alicante

Travel photo

• May 24, 2023

Rio Safari Elche - zoo for the whole family

A few kilometers from Alicante on the Costa del Sol in Spain is a zoo where you can see Africa's exotic animals - and some of our common domestic animals.

At the entrance there are shops where you can buy souvenirs from the zoo.

There you also meet the first animals - some cute lemurs - who look at you curiously from the other side of the glass wall.

It is easy to find. There are roads criss-crossing and signs showing where you must go to find the various animals.

There is also a cafe where you can buy some food and drink.

The animals have relatively good space and many of them have been given an environment that resembles their natural habitat.

There is a good balance between the animals' need for space and activity and the spectators' need to see the animals up close.

The first animals you meet are kangaroos and emus.

Then come dromedaries, giraffes and zebras.

You get to meet the beautiful Jaguar.

And several types of primates, such as the Black-Crested Mangabey which is only found in the Congo.

It is a separate small section for the American alligator.

And of course African lion and Bengal tiger sections.

There are two departments that are only open at special times. One is for ring-tailed lemurs and the other for sea lions. The department for ring-tailed lemurs opens at 12.

In the area of ring-tailed lemurs, you are only allowed to enter limited groups together with a guide who looks after you.

You get close to the animals, but it is important that you do not make contact with them, and that you do the right thing if a curious lemur jumps onto your shoulder.

You will receive training in this before entering. Ring-tailed lemurs are only found in Madagascar. They are endangered due to illegal smuggling of individuals for sale as pets.

What is tragic is that these lemurs depend on being in a herd to survive. If they are taken out of their herd and placed alone with humans, they will die of depression within a few weeks.

The zoo has a program to help the species survive.

The department for sea lions opens at 13. Then there is a show where a male animal and a female animal are displayed in an area with a pool of water surrounded by stands.

A zookeeper talks about how they train the animals to be able to take care of them in a good way.

Using fish as a reward, the zookeeper can get the sea lion to show off its right or left paw, gape open to have its mouth inspected, or perform acrobatic tricks in the pool.

There are also common farm animals there, such as sheep and goats.

At certain times there is a free train that you can join which gives you a tour of the area with some explanation along the way.

The Bornean orangutan is an endangered species that lives mainly in Borneo. Orangutans are the world's largest arboreal apes.

One of the tasks of the zoos is to take care of endangered species, take care of genetic variation and in some cases also contribute to releasing individuals back into the wild.

The red flamingos are a beautiful sight as they march in a row.

Here are some of the other animals you can see at the zoo.

More excursions: www.turideer.com

Excursion of the week: Rio Safari Elche near Alicante and Sata Pola

Suitable for: Everyone, including disabled people.

Get there: Plot Rio Safari Elche in Google Maps. It is located close to the coast within Santa Pola a little south of Alicante.

Opening hours and prices, see: https://riosafari.com

In April 2023, the zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day. Adults 13-64 years: 22.5 Euro, children 3-12 years and seniors 65+, 17 Euro, children 0-2 years free.

#Spain #English #Zoo #animal #exotic #conservation

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Commentaires

Rio Safari Elche

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Rio Safari Elche - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• Sun - Sat 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
• (3.17 km) Hotel Gran Playa
• (1.78 km) Huerto de la Luz
• (4.78 km) Hostal Quatre Llunes
• (12.90 km) Alannia Guardamar
• (15.54 km) NH Alicante
• (5.09 km) Jou Burger
• (5.47 km) Chill Out Grill
• (4.40 km) Sidrería Restaurante El Llagarin
• (8.52 km) Selecte Restaurant
• (9.97 km) El Pilon de la Negra Alicante

Rio Safari Elche

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

RIO SAFARI ELCHE: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)