Bioparc Fuengirola

Bioparc Fuengirola opened in 2001 on the site of an older municipal zoo, rebuilt on the zoo-immersion principle: paths run through dense planting with barriers hidden as water channels, drops and vegetation, so animals appear in a reconstructed habitat rather than an enclosure. Four zones cover Equatorial Africa, Madagascar, Indo-Pacific and Southeast Asia, with gorillas, lemurs, Sumatran tigers, orangutans, komodo dragons and a large aviary walk-through. The site is small, about five hectares in the middle of a resort town, which limits enclosure size, and the operation emphasises breeding programmes for endangered species. It stays open into the evening in summer with a different atmosphere as nocturnal species become active.

What you actually see

• The immersion design - hidden barriers and dense planting along the paths.
• The four regions - Africa, Madagascar, Indo-Pacific and Southeast Asia zones.
• The primates - gorillas, orangutans, lemurs and chimpanzees.
• The summer evenings - late opening when nocturnal animals become active.

When to go

Spring and autumn for comfort; summer is hot but the park opens into the evening, which is the better time then. Feeding and keeper talks are scheduled through the day and posted at the entrance.

Honest expectations

The site is small for the number of species, and enclosure sizes reflect that despite the design. Some visitors object to keeping large primates in an urban zoo regardless of the presentation. It is busy with families during Spanish school holidays.

Nearby

Fuengirola beach is minutes away; Mijas Pueblo sits in the hills above the town.