Encounter wildlife on a day full of fun
Wildlife refuge Karpin Fauna is the ideal plan for people 0 to 99 years old. Are you going to miss it?
In an ancient 20ha estate in the Karrantza Valley, Karpin Fauna rescues wild animals that need protection and cannot live in their natural habitats. Individuals of more than 55 animal species live in the park, which attracts more than 50,000 visitors a year.
The park was founded to become a home to diverse wildlife, giving animals shelter and protection. Every animal has a moving story behind it. Listen to them all in Karpin Fauna.
The park has different areas where you can watch wild animals, or walk among dinosaurs and the animals that thrived when those large reptiles became extinct. Also, children have a playground specially designed for them.
Bizkaia family friendly
Plans for the whole family
On a day full of fun and adventure, the whole family will learn to protect natural resources and commit to sustainable tourism in a two-and-a-half hour tour of this recreational centre.
Since 1995, the park has been a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre. As such, its mission is to preserve and protect the region’s native wildlife by providing rehabilitation services and education to raise public awareness of the factors that threaten biodiversity. It provides information on the evolution of species, environmental protection and sustainable tourism. Around 8000 schoolchildren from 120 schools in Euskadi visit the park annually to see the animals and learn the value of protecting them.
Karpin Fauna is home to wild animals of more than 55 species. You will be able to see birds of prey, ducks and wildcats that have been wounded by poachers; cougars, raccoons, ferrets and iguanas abandoned by their owners; macaques, New World monkeys, porcupines and pumas illegally traded and confiscated by the authorities; emus and ostriches from breeding farms that have been closed; and panthers, lynxes, bears, deer or kangaroos born in captivity.
In Karpin Fauna they want to raise public awareness about the value of wildlife, the importance of preventing illegal hunting and trade, the need to protect biodiversity. They also give information on why it is dangerous to keep exotic animals as pets. The park offers guided tours and features three educational rooms, an audio room and information boards about pet keeping, illegal animal trade and non-native invasive species.
Routes
Karpin Fauna makes a great family day out. You and your children will see the animals and gain knowledge of living and extinct animals in four distinct areas: Animalia, Terrasauro, Gastornisland and Dinotxiki. In Animalia, you can see the animals and read about their habitats, feeding and other habits on information boards.
The Karpin Fauna park has four different areas: Animalia, Terrasauro, Gastornisland and Dinotxiki
In Terrasauroand and Gastornisland, two areas inside a thick forest, you will travel back in time to the Jurassic period to encounter the animals that thrived when dinosaurs became extinct.
In Terrasauro, a geologist will show you life-size dinosaurs and talk about these animals’ habits. Gastornisland is a garden of beasts where the two classes of vertebrates that became dominant after dinosaur mass extinction – birds and mammals – can be seen.
Next to the bar-restaurant is Dinotxiki, a playground for the little ones. At Karpin Fauna you can wander about as long as you want, eat at the restaurant or the picnic area, etc. A full tour takes two hours at most. Close by, at a 20 minutes’ drive, is Armañón Nature Park, where you can visit the Pozalagua Cave, one of the top attractions in Bizkaia.
How To Get There
The best way to get to Karpin Fauna is by car. The park is in the district of Biañez, in Karrantza, one of the largest municipalities in Bizkaia. There is little public transport to get around.
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Train
Take the FEVE Bilbao-Karrantza train and get off at Ambasaguas. Karpin Fauna is 3.4km away from the train station. It takes around 45 minutes to get there on foot. Also, you can get a taxi at the train station.
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Car
From Bilbao, take the coastal highway A-8, exit to Colindres-Burgos, and the new road N-629. You will reach your destination in about one hour. You can also take inland road BI-630 from Bilbao if you want to visit other attractions in Las Encartaciones. Karpin Fauna has a free car park with 350 parking spaces for cars and five for buses.
Gastronomy
Where to eat
The park has a picnic area with wooden tables where you can eat what you bring from home. There are benches all along the way too. Please do not litter. Throw waste in the bins you will find in the park.
In the park is a bar-restaurant that serves salads, combo meals, sandwiches and appetisers on weekends and holidays. During the school summer holidays, the park opens daily. On weekdays in the autumn, winter and spring, it opens only for groups with advance bookings (call Rocío at +34 688 662 797).
Accommodation
Where to sleep
Las Encartaciones (Enkarterri) is in the westernmost part of Bizkaia. Forged by its industrial past, this region has valuable underground treasures and valleys for you to discover. You can stay in rural lodges, country homes, hotels, boarding houses or the Balneario Termas de Molinar, in Karrantza, a quiet place for rest and relaxation.
If you are travelling in a motorhome, you can stay for free in the campsite in Zalla, also in Las Encartaciones.
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Karpin Fauna, in the Karrantza Valley, is perfect for a great day out with your family. You can see wild animals, walk across the park spotting dinosaurs and stop for a refreshment at the bar-restaurant or the picnic area. There is a playground for children too. You can also visit the nearby Pozalagua Cave, only 11km away.
Karpin Fauna wildlife rescue centre
Barrio de Biañez, 37. 48891 Valle de Karrantza, Bizkaia
Phone number: +34 946 107 066 / +34 626 622 245
Email address: karpinabentura@karpinabentura.com-
Timetable
Summer (1 July to 15 September)
Open daily, 11:00am to 7:00pmChristmas season
Open daily, 11:00am to 5:00pm during school holidays
Closed on 24, 25 and 31 December, 1 and 6 JanuaryEaster Week
Open during school break. Check hours.Rest of the year
Open on weekends and holidays
16 September to 16 October, 11:00am to 7:00pm
17 October to 31 March, 11:00am to 5:00pm
1 April to 30 June, 11:00 to 7:00pmGroup visits on appointment on weekdays until 3:00pm
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Price
Children ages 2-3:
Free admission
Groups + 12 people: €3.5Children ages 4-14 €6
Groups: €4. 5Visitors ages 15 and over: €10
Groups: €7Seniors: €7
Groups: €5Karpinabentura + Pozalagua Cave package: If you pay for one of the attractions, you will get a discount on the second admission ticket.
For information on hotels, tourist offices, flora and fauna, or what to do in the Karrantza Valley, visit the official website of Karrantza.
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Location
Karrantza Valley
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Allow two or two and a half hours to walk across the park, in a wonderful natural setting. The animals can be far away, so bring your binoculars for wildlife viewing.
Please note that pets are not allowed to enter the park. If you are travelling with your dog, the staff at the Karpin Abentura reception will take care of it during your visit.
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