"They say that in Africa, an elephant and a hippo sleep under palm trees at noon and drink fruit compote at midnight!" These nursery rhymes will also intrigue adults. You don't have to go to Africa to confirm or deny the rumours. A visit to La Reserva safari park in Andalusia with your children is enough. If sightseeing around town is part of your plan, the Safari Park near Seville is an excellent place for a family outing in the lap of nature.
La Reserva has 100 species of African animals which roam free or are separated from humans by inconspicuous (but secure) barriers. No other zoo offers such close encounters with giraffes, zebras, elephants, hippos and ostriches. Even lions and cheetahs will be pretty close by. You can watch the African wildlife from your car or the tour train for added safety. You can bring food for the animals; the ungulates and the birds of prey don't mind eating out of schedule.
In addition to modern animals, prehistoric lizards are grazing in the Castillo de las Guardas (the second name of the park after the nearby village). They look very naturalistic, except they can't move. Looking at the dinosaurs, a child will find similarities between them and the animals that now inhabit the Earth. A mammoth is very similar to an elephant, but which animals have the same powerful legs as Triceratops or the same terrible teeth as Tyrannosaurus? Your child may be the one to make a new palaeontological discovery during the tour.
And when you've had your fill of Africa (yes, you forget very quickly that this savannah is in Europe), sit in the arena where the birds of prey show occur. This is a top-rated attraction in Spain and is worth watching. It is not always possible to see a kestrel hovering in the air, a falcon diving swiftly at its prey or an eagle soaring to great heights in the wild. But don't linger here either because another show awaits you — sea lions perform in the open-air pool. The graceful, intelligent, adorable animals will show you all their talents, and you'll have to be on hand for applause.
If you come with young children, they will love the quiet park corner called Jardín de los Peques. It is home to pygmy goats, peacocks, parrots and waterfowl. It is also home to a fantastic creature called the Patagonian hare or pig. What do a hare and a pig have in common? Take a look at the mara — maybe you'll understand.
After a long walk, even children are ready to eat an elephant. Several restaurants and cafés have been opened in the park to keep visitors away from the animals. There is also a picnic area. Children can play in the playground while the food is being prepared. Another park, La Reserva, also known as Galatzo Reserve Park, operates in Mallorca.
