Jungle Park

Jungle Park is a wildlife and falconry park in the south of Tenerife, near Arona and the resorts of Costa Adeje, and it is one of several animal attractions on the island. It sits in a hillside setting of about seven hectares, planted with tropical vegetation, and it is arranged around a network of winding paths and terraces that lead visitors from one enclosure to the next. The park was previously known as Águilas del Teide, Eagles of Teide, a name that survives in its address, and its roots lie in the display of birds of prey, which remains the most important part of its programme.

The flying shows are the main event. Several times a day, trainers bring out eagles, falcons, hawks and vultures and fly them over the audience, so that the birds sweep low over people’s heads and land on the handlers’ gloves. The presentations explain the hunting skills of the birds and their adaptations, and they allow people to see raptors at close range in flight rather than in cages. Other birds in the park include parrots, macaws, flamingos and owls, and there are walk-through aviaries.

The park also keeps a collection of mammals and reptiles from different parts of the world. Visitors can see big cats such as tigers, leopards, jaguars and lions, among them white lions, which are a rare colour variety, together with monkeys, meerkats and smaller animals, as well as reptiles. The enclosures are designed with tropical planting, rocks and pools, and the paths pass through different zones. The park says that it works on education and conservation, and information boards describe each species. As with any zoo, opinions differ on keeping large animals in captivity, and visitors who are concerned about animal welfare should read about the park’s practices and compare it with other options.

There is also an adventure zone, known as the Jungle Raid, with rope bridges, nets, climbing walls and zip wires through the trees, and it attracts older children and adults looking for something active. This is usually an extra feature that needs separate booking, and it has age and height limits.

The park is open daily during the day, typically from morning until late afternoon, though hours vary by season, and tickets are bought on site or online, where advance booking can save time in busy periods. It is reached by car or taxi from Los Cristianos, Playa de las Américas and Costa Adeje, and parking is available. A visit takes between two and four hours.

The park suits families with children. It is in a hot, dry part of the island, so bring water, sun protection and a hat. Other attractions in the south, including Siam Park and Aqualand, are nearby.