| The Rio Safari Elche - Sitting amongst over 4,000 | | | | and do enjoy a nice juicy carrot (or three!) - they will |
| palm trees on the road between Elche and Santa | | | | take one from your hand, using their long tongue. |
| Pola is the amazing animal park, the Rio Safari Elche. | | | | The goat pen is sometimes open for visitors to go |
| Children and adults alike will certainly enjoy a day out | | | | inside and carrots may be on sale at the entrance for |
| at this fine Costa Blanca tourist attraction, one of the | | | | feeding them. However the goats can be a little |
| best places to visit in the whole region. | | | | over-enthusiastic at the sight of a carrot, so a little |
| Located conveniently on the road from Santa Pola to | | | | care is needed. |
| Elche (CV-865) it is well signposted and easy to find. | | | | There are a great selection of different animal |
| Before making the trip it could be well worth your | | | | species on show at the Rio Safari Elche and these |
| while to visit your local tourist office as there are | | | | include, buffalo, antelope, deer, crocodiles, llamas, |
| usually discount vouchers to be found or even | | | | camels, emus, osriches, giraffes, lions, tigers, jaguars, |
| "children go free" vouchers. Pick up a leaflet and a | | | | chimps, monkeys, prairie dogs, swans, goats, a hippo |
| map while you are there. | | | | and an elephant. There is also an excellent bird house |
| The Rio Safari Elche has other facilities apart from | | | | with a good variety of parrots and other species, |
| just the animal park - the swimming pool is open | | | | plus there is an aquarium and reptile house with many |
| during the hot summer months, so take some towels | | | | species of fish, lizards and snakes. |
| and swimming costumes (and especially suntan lotion!) | | | | Over the last year or so the Rio Safari has been |
| and enjoy a cooling dip while you are there. Tabled | | | | undergoing some refurbishments and improvements |
| picnic areas are provided, so you can take your own | | | | which have helped to make your visit even more |
| snacks and refreshments (though refreshments are | | | | entertaining and enjoyable. The park is trying to be |
| available on site). | | | | more up to date and attractive and this will surely |
| A unique part of the whole experience of the Rio | | | | attract even more visitors. |
| Safari Elche is the 'train' ride through the park. The | | | | So there you have it - the Rio Safari Elche, a great |
| train takes visitors in with the animals (not the lions | | | | place to spend a day during a trip to the Costa |
| and tigers!) and offers some great photo | | | | Blanca in Spain and a unique experience unlike any |
| opportunities. Also included in the ticket price is free | | | | other. Take a day out to wander amongst the four |
| entry into the animal shows - these include a sea-lion | | | | thousand palm trees and to enjoy the many species |
| show, an elephant show and a parrot show, all with | | | | of animals. |
| commentaries in Spanish and English and all worth | | | | Situated between Elche and Santa Pola just off the |
| visiting and highly entertaining. | | | | CV-865, The Rio Safari Elche is well signposted and |
| Feeding the many animals is one of the most | | | | easy to find. |
| enjoyable parts of the whole Rio Safari Elche | | | | This article on the Rio Safari Elche was written by |
| experience and you can do this whilst walking | | | | Steve Locke who lives in Cabo Roig on the southern |
| through the park during free periods between the | | | | Costa Blanca. He writes articles for his local |
| 'train' rides and animal shows. The most fun to feed | | | | newspaper. |
| are the giraffes, who are very gentle and graceful | | | | |