A small zoo in the middle of a palm grove of almost 4,000 trees. This green oasis is home to Rio Safari Elche. This zoo with an area of 4 hectares is decades old. The park has a combination of nature, fun, learning and conservation high on its agenda. In addition, it also aims at families with young children, who besides the animals also like to go for a day out for the Splash water park.
Let's start with the animals. Enthusiasts will mainly see many mammals. From lions, leopards, jaguars and tigers to dromedaries, various species of monkeys, legions of gazelles, pygmy hippos and meerkats.
There are also emus, ostriches, alligators and turtles. Many visitors first use the little train that makes a short, 15-minute, non-stop trip through Rio Safari about every half hour. Thanks in part to the explanations along the way, this gives a good idea of what the zoo has to offer. Later, many people choose a relaxing walk to quietly enjoy the highlights.
At set times, there is an opportunity to get very close to the lemurs, giraffes, orangutans and chimpanzees under the supervision of caretakers. Of course, touching is not allowed. A highlight is often swimming with the sea lions.
During the warm summer months, the Splash water park is also open. There you can enjoy yourself in four swimming pools (2 of which are for the little ones). There are 16 slides and also a trampoline and a go-karting track.
There are a few places to eat in the park, but those who want can also eat and drink brought along in the picnic area.
Incidentally, the name of the zoo is a bit misleading, as it is located 9 kilometres from Elche and only 4 kilometres from Santa Pola.