Rio Safari Elche

Rio Safari Elche provides superb family fun and is the perfect place to visit during a holiday in Orihuela Costa. Several factors make this one of the best days out on the entire Costa Blanca. The city of Elche is around 50 minutes drive from much of the Orihuela Costa. Holidaymakers wishing to visit the safari park can also check out the city's other attractions to make a whole day's adventure. Elche is famous for being home to the largest palm groves in Europe. It also boasts the largest footwear manufacturing industry in Spain, so come with a full wallet 🙂

Rio Safari Elche
Source: Flickr / Antonio Martinez Sanchez

Rio Safari Elche Leisure Facilities

What makes Rio Safari Elche such a fun day out is that it's not just a safari park. Most visitors spend the whole day enjoying the great facilities of the park. Make sure you bring swimwear as there is a lovely swimming pool area. Here there is also a children's pool and a large water slide into the main pool. Further leisure facilities include a small go-kart track. Karts available include child, cadet, adult and 2 seat karts for children to ride along with an adult.

Dining options at the safari park include a bar/cafeteria with a full selection of drinks and snacks such as burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches and combo plates. There is also a self service restaurant for visitors who fancy a full meal. Should you prefer to bring along your own food there are picnic areas. This is a great cost saving option for large families or groups.

Rio Safari Elche Animal Areas

The many enclosures at the safari park can be explored on foot at leisure. However, included in the ticket price is the safari train. This makes its way throughout the park and enters some of the tamer animal enclosures. Visitors can hop on and off the train if they wish to spend longer at a certain animal enclosure. Aside from the five main themed areas, the various enclosures are home to a fantastic variety of animals, mammals, birds, reptiles and insects.

Tiger's Temple – This is a hugely popular area of Rio Safari Elche. A large and secure enclosure houses these magnificent Bengal tigers, and as they enjoy water it's surrounded by a moat.

Chimpanzee Island – This is the young ones favourite part of the park. These cheeky chimps love their fun and games and have many trees, swings and jungle gyms to play on.

Reptile Cave – Certainly not for the squeamish as this scary cave houses snakes, caimans, bats and all sorts of other creepy crawlies.

African Savannah – Although there are other African animals in this enclosure, the giraffes are the main attraction. Visitors can see both sub-species, the reticulate and Angolan giraffes.

Crocoland – Well close enough, but north American alligators to be precise. These don't grow as large as crocodiles but are just as ferocious and terrifying.

Other Safari Attractions

The park is also home to an educative farm. This is very popular with kids on school trips and showcases the important role farms have in our lives. Keepers are on hand so the young ones can safely pet some of the animals. At certain times throughout the day the park features exciting shows. These include a colourful and funny parrot show and fantastic sea lion show.

Pilar de la Horadada Sports Centre

Pilar de la Horadada Sports Centre is a fantastic leisure & fitness facility. Pilar is a small, mainly Spanish town located on the southern border of Orihuela Costa