All Creatures Great and Small
Seeing animals in real life is always going to be a hit with kids and there are many ways to experience wildlife in the Costa del Sol. Explore the following parks where you’ll get the chance to see countless species of fauna and flora and to participate in animal encounters and educational talks.
Bioparc, Fuengirola. Immerse yourselves in a tropical rainforest, a recreated environment where visitors enter the animals’ world rather than peer at them through cages. There’s everything from lizards to crocodiles, chimps to orangutans, meerkats to tigers, snakes to tortoises, kingfishers to flamingos and a host of other amazing animals.
Selwo Safari Park, Estepona. Discover habitats and species from five continents, making your way through four territories which include the lakes reserve and the bird canyon. Other than observing and learning about the animals and their ecosystems, additional activities include a zipline across the lake, bungee trampolines, archery and a spectacular 65 metre long footbridge, 15 metres high!
Selwo Marina, Benalmádena. If marine animals are more your little ones’ thing, come and see these graceful mammals up close and take part in the animal interaction activities offered at Selwo. You can meet the dolphins, penguins, sea lions and exotic birds, and find out more about their conservation.
Sealife, Benalmádena. Watch the unique and majestic rays glide in Rays Island, be awed at the sharks in the Jurassic Tunnel, observe the poison dart frogs and piranhas in the tropical forest, and admire the vividly coloured inhabitants of the coral reef. Kids can get their hands wet in the rockpool, where they can handle the starfish and hermit crabs. And don’t miss Sealife’s new exhibition Sea at Night, where they can experience the first interactive bioluminescent beach in Spain!
Butterfly Park, Benalmádena. Take a walk through this tropical paradise which is home to 1,500 butterflies fluttering freely through the park. You can even visit the nursery and witness them emerge from their chrysalis and fly for the first time.
Crocodile Park, Torremolinos. Crazy for crocs and gators? Come and visit these amazing present-day dinosaurs as well as lizards, tortoises and porcupines. Don’t forget to snap a few photos…
Lobopark, Málaga. If your fascination is for wolves, make time in your schedule for this 40-hectare wolf park. There are guided tours (also in English) which will take you through beautiful protected woodland to the wolf enclosures. You may also catch a glimpse of other rescued animals, such as foxes. For something really special, the park opens its doors for regular Wolf Howl Nights, where you can hear their haunting vocalisations in real life.
Donkey Dreamland Rescue Centre, Mijas. Take a tour of the sanctuary and find out about these animals and some of their life stories. Kids can pet and groom them or go on a donkey walk through the gorgeous countryside.
Dolphin and whale watching
There’s nothing quite like beholding a pod of dolphins swimming alongside your boat or an impressive whale breaching out of the water and defying gravity as it soars into the air. A wonderful experience for adults and children alike, there are many companies along the coast offering the chance to see these beautiful marine animals in their natural environment. Ask us if you’d like to know more.