Rio Safari Elche is a zoo located on the Costa Blanca coast of Spain, near cities such as Alicante, Elche, and Torrevieja.
Attractions that involve interactions with animals always draw large crowds of tourists, and Rio Safari Elche is no exception. While it may not be a large zoo, the additional attractions like the water park and racetrack provide entertainment for visitors of all ages, myself included.
In the article below, I will share my experiences at Rio Safari Elche, this intriguing amusement park, and whether it’s worth spending time and money to visit. I have also gathered a lot of information, facts, and trivia about Rio Safari Elche and the animals that live there.
Rio Safari Elche: An Amusement Park with a Zoo, Race Track, and Water Park
The amusement park is divided into three sections, each offering distinct and varied attractions. The main attraction is, of course, the zoo, and safari park. The next is Splash Park, a water amusement park (open only during summer), and lastly, a go-kart track where you can race and have fun.
Rio Safari is located in the famous palm grove of Elche, in a very popular part of the Costa Blanca coast. The entire area is huge; according to the information provided by the staff, the park covers nearly 13 hectares of pure fun. Another piece of information I received from the very friendly staff is that they only employ passionate and genuinely engaged individuals who enjoy working with animals.
The employees are also incredibly versatile. I saw a girl feeding snakes, and a moment later, she was driving a heavy tractor with a large trailer full of food for giraffes and zebras. This versatility applies to everyone, from cashiers to veterinarians and their assistants. The staff not only takes care of the animals, but also the lush vegetation and the many tourists who visit the park. As one girl jokingly said, pointing at the noisy children banging on the glass separating them from a several-meter-long reptile, taking care of tourists is more exhausting than feeding a lion with bare hands.
The park was established in the 1980s and has been developing and modernizing ever since. The most challenging period for Rio Safari Park was during the pandemic, when it saw only 10 percent of its usual number of tourists. To understand the difficulties the park faced, you must know that it operates solely on the revenue from ticket sales and entertainment services; without tourists, there is no money.
Fortunately, the park survived, and the months when literally no one visited were spent on renovating and modernizing the facilities and expanding animal enclosures. During this time, Rio Safari Park joined the Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas project, which aims to protect animals living in the Sahara and those endangered by extinction. Numerous species of antelope and gazelles, which are planned to be reintroduced into their natural habitats in the future, found a place in Elche.
What to do in La Mata and Torrevieja and how much it costs
- Parasailing experience; Live the unforgettable thrill of parasailing above the beautiful coast around Torrevieja.
- Jet ski tour without a licence; Discover the sandy beaches of the Costa Blanca by water on this jet ski experience. With the help of an instructor, visit beaches El Cura and La Mata, and even enjoy a swim in the coves of Torrevieja.
- Sunset on a boat with cava included; Come to live with us, a wonderful sunset over the sea.
- Book a hotel at a good price and enjoy the beauty of Torrevieja and La Mata.
- Rent a car; The rented car will help you realize travel plans faster and more efficiently.
Visiting the Zoo at Rio Safari Elche
I, personally, believe that the zoo is the main attraction of Rio Safari Elche, although I saw kids who wouldn’t hear of anything apart from the water park. So, I’ll leave it up to you to decide what the most attractive part of the amusement park is.
The most important part of Rio Safari Elche is, of course, the animals living there, and there are quite a few. You can explore the park in two ways: by walking between the animal enclosures or by taking a train that runs at specified times. The term “train” is a bit of an exaggeration; it is actually a few carriages attached to a large SUV that travels along designated paths in the park.
This train departs daily at scheduled times from the station, which is also the end of the route. The ride lasts about 15 minutes. Personally, I suggest taking a ride on the train and then setting out on foot through the park to get a closer look at its inhabitants.
Animals Living at Rio Safari Elche
The park houses a wide variety of animals, arranged in a thoughtful and well-designed manner. Different species share territories with others, where possible, allowing you to observe not only individual animals but entire ecosystems with a full range of living creatures.
Mammals in the Elche Zoo
The park is divided into three parts designated for specific species, with mammals being the first and largest group.
Zebras: These animals are found throughout Africa, roaming vast areas searching for food. At Rio Safari Elche, they have a large territory to wander, just as they would in their natural environment.
Indian antelope: Known for its slender bodies and long, thin legs, with males having long, straight horns. They come from India and Nepal, and can now also be found in the wild in Argentina and Texas in the USA.
Milus: Also known as Père David’s Deer, this species is extinct in the wild, with zoos being the only places where they can be seen. Efforts are underway to reintroduce them into their natural habitat.
Dromedary: This type of camel is the largest animal capable of surviving in extreme conditions, enduring both desert heat and cold tundra climates.
Chimpanzee: These are primates closely related to humans, capable of making simple tools, remembering complex patterns and information, and displaying complex social behaviours.
Gazelle: Specifically, the Mhorr Gazelle, a critically endangered species found in North African deserts and steppes.
Guanaco: A wild llama species described by Darwin as “elegant animals with long, slender necks and similar legs.”
Pygmy Hippopotamus: These animals live in swampy forests and love soaking in shallow, warm waters. They are increasingly endangered due to habitat loss.
White-Handed Gibbon: A small, playful primate with long arms and a distinctive sound for communication that can be heard throughout the park.
Giraffe: The tallest land animal, with calves standing over 180 cm tall at birth. They share their territory with other species, creating an African steppe experience.
African Lion: Known as the king of animals, these large predators are well-camouflaged in their dry, gray surroundings.
Sri Lankan Leopard: Unlike lions, these big cats live and hunt alone, rarely in small groups, and are endangered due to poaching and human conflicts.
Bengal Tiger: The most numerous tiger species in Asia, living in India, Nepal, and China.
California Sea Lion: These predators, also known as marine lions, are featured in shows demonstrating their agility and intelligence.
Black-Crested Mangabey: A beautiful monkey species with a distinctive crest on their heads, similar in appearance to the famous Grinch.
Watusi are domestic cattle from East Africa. Their characteristic feature is huge, spreading horns and a reddish skin tone.
The name Watussi comes from the name of the tribe that breeds these animals. You will see quite a large herd of them in the park.
In addition to the animals listed above, the park also houses deer, kangaroos, seals, various species of monkeys, and cattle, ensuring entertainment for a long time with well-designed enclosures and observation points.
Birds at Rio Safari Elche
Another group of animals living in Rio Safari Elche includes birds:
Ostrich: The largest living bird, with a long, nearly naked neck and a small head, incapable of flight but capable of running fast and long distances.
Emu: The second-largest bird, omnivorous and able to thrive in their natural habitat by eating plants, insects, small animals, and even the droppings of other creatures.
Cuban Flamingos: Differentiated from other flamingos by their intense pink and red colouration, these birds filter water for food using specialized structures in their curved beaks.
Reptiles at Rio Safari Elche
In addition to birds and mammals, the zoo also houses reptiles:
Alligator: Large and dangerous, they play a crucial role in the ecosystem by cleansing it and building burrows at the bottom of wetlands.
African Tortoise: The largest continental tortoises, with only the giant tortoises from Seychelles and Galapagos surpassing them in size.
Chameleons, Lizards, and Snakes: These beautiful reptiles are housed in an artificial, dark cave.
Other Attractions at Rio Safari Elche
Daily shows feature sea lion and seal performances, showcasing their agility and intelligence. On some days, swimming with sea lions is available, allowing visitors to interact with these adorable animals in their natural environment.
Visitors can also participate in animal feeding and interactions, including popular encounters with friendly lemurs and giraffes. Interacting with primates such as chimpanzees and orangutans offers a profound experience, emphasizing how little separates us from them.
Splash Park at Rio Safari Elche: Fun in the Water Park
Splash Park is a delightful, though small, water park that’s part of Rio Safari Elche. You can combine fun in the pools with a zoo visit. Open from June to October, the park features four pools styled like lakes and wetlands hidden in the jungle, with 18 water slides and various water attractions for all ages.
Practical Information for Splash Park
Splash Park is open only during summer, from June to October. Entrance to Splash Park requires an additional fee of 10 euros on top of the Rio Safari Park ticket.
Go-Kart Track at Rio Safari
The go-kart track at Rio Safari is massive, providing a fun alternative to the zoo and water park. Competing on the racetrack with loved ones adds an extra layer of enjoyment.
Practical Information for the Go-Kart Track
The track is open daily during summer from 10:30 AM to 8:30 PM. Prices range from 8 euros for children under six to 15 euros for adults, with 7-minute rides.
Rio Safari Elche Information, and Interesting facts
- Address: Poligono 1 Carretera de Elche, Santa Pola, KM 8.7, 03203 Elche.
- Opening Hours: The park is open daily from 10:30 AM to 6:00 PM in summer, and until 5:00 PM in winter.
- Ticket Prices: Adults: 22.50 euros, children up to 12 years old and those over 65 years old: 17 euros, children up to 3 years old: free. The Splash Park entrance fee is an additional 10 euros. You can buy tickets on-site or online through their website: www.riosafari.com. They also accept various discount cards, including the Valencia Tourist Card, granting additional discounts and free entrance to other attractions.
- Official Website: www.riosafari.com
- Official Social Media: Facebook: facebook.com/riosafarielche Instagram: instagram.com/riosafari Twitter: twitter.com/riosafarielche YouTube: youtube.com/riosafari
- How to Get There: The easiest way is by car, using the provided coordinates. If you don’t have a car, buses to Rio Safari Elche depart from Elche, Torrevieja, Santa Pola, Guardamar, and other cities.
Conclusions and My Opinion on Rio Safari Elche
Despite the abundance of zoos, water parks, and amusement parks in Costa Blanca, Rio Safari Elche is an exceptional place, especially with its convenient location near Elche, Alicante, and Torrevieja. The multitude of attractions and the wide range of animals offer a pleasant experience for the entire family, making it worth spending a day there. The animals are housed in excellent conditions, the zoo is clean and tidy, and the staff is incredibly friendly and engaged.
Rio Safari Elche is a wonderful way to spend a day away from the hustle and bustle of the beach and sea, providing many unique experiences.
- Interesting cities near Costa Blanca:
- Cullera, located on the Valencia coast, is a resort town known for its beautiful beaches with light and fine sand.
- La Mata is a small town in the south of Spain, located on the Costa Blanca coast.
- San Pedro del Pinatar is a town located on the Costa Calida coast in the province of Murcia, southern Spain.
- Torrevieja is a coastal city and municipality located on the Costa Blanca in the province of Alicante.
- Attractions near Costa Blanca:
- Bodegas Luzon is one of the oldest and largest vineyards in the Spanish municipality of Jumilla, located in the Region of Murcia.
- Cullera Castle (Castell de Cullera) is, in my opinion, one of the most fascinating attractions of the city.
- Dino Park Algar on the Costa Blanca coast, is a land ruled by prehistoric dinosaurs.
- El Palmeral Park in Alicante, a place where you can relax and regain strength.
- L’Oceanogràfic is the Spanish name for the Oceanarium in Valencia, the largest aquarium in Europe, located in the southern part of Spain by the Mediterranean Sea.
- Las Salinas de Torrevieja is an industrial plant that extracts sea salt from a shallow but vast lake in Laguna Salada de Torevieja.
- Natural Park El Fondo, or as the Spanish say, Parque Natural el Hondo, is located in the beautiful region of Valencia, near cities such as Alicante, Valencia, La Mata, Torrevieja.
- Palm Grove of Elche largest palm grove in Europe.
- Rio Safari Elche is a zoo located on the Costa Blanca coast of Spain.
- The Science Museum in Valencia is part of a massive project called the City of Arts and Sciences.
- The goal of our today’s trip is the Valor chocolate factory and museum.
- The Castle of Santa Barbara (Castillo de Santa Barbara), also known as the Alicante Fortress, looms over the city like an unconquerable defender.
- The Church of the Virgin Mary in the Spanish city of Murcia is one of the biggest attractions of the city and an undeniable symbol of it.
- The Naval Museum in Cartagena is a fascinating attraction in the city that anyone with even a slight interest in European history
- The Museum in Torrevieja is an interesting attraction in the port part of the city.
- The Ducal Palace of Gandia is a tourist attraction in the city and a fascinating monument worth visiting during your stay on the Costa Blanca in Spain.
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