Río Safari Elche: giraffes and sea lions beneath 4,000 palm trees
The animal park set in a century-old palm grove between Elche and Santa Pola: official prices, opening hours, sea lion and macaw shows, the little train, swimming with sea lions and our tips.
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The first time you see a giraffe poke its head above a palm tree, you wonder whether you’ve landed on the wrong continent. Río Safari, founded in 1983, had the excellent idea of setting up in a century-old palm grove of around 4,000 trees between Elche and Santa Pola. The result is a shady animal park with nearly 800 animals from about a hundred species, which has kept a family-friendly feel you no longer find in the giant parks.
What to do
You explore the park on foot, but the little train that loops around it is a handy way to get your bearings on arrival — and a welcome break for little legs.
Shows set the rhythm of the day: the sea lions perform in their pool and the macaws (the big, colourful parrots) show off their aerial skills. For those who dream of it, the park also offers the chance to swim with the sea lions in supervised sessions.
Between shows, you move from the reptile cave to the aviary, from the crocodile farm to chimpanzee island, not forgetting the farm school where little ones meet the farm animals. Children can also enjoy a pony or dromedary ride.
In summer, you come for a swim too
In the hot season, Río Safari adds a swimming pool with a slide, trampolines and a go-kart track. The Splash Park, a water area with a €12 supplement, is however closed until May 2027 according to the official website.
Prices and opening hours
Our tips
Take a photo of the show board at the entrance: the sea lion and macaw times are the anchors of your day.
Come in the morning in summer, enjoy the shade of the palm grove and save the pool for the afternoon.
Swimsuit and towel in the bag from June to September: the children would never forgive you for forgetting.
Allow a full day, especially in summer with the pool. Out of season, a good half-day is enough.
Around Río Safari
Take the chance to discover Elche’s palm grove, a World Heritage Site, or head to Santa Pola and Pola Park for an evening of rides. If your children love animals, Terra Natura and Safari Aitana round off the programme perfectly.
