What to do · Atapuerca
Paleolítico Vivo, Prehistoric Safari in Salgüero de Juarros
Information
- From
- €19 per adult
- Duration
- 2 h
- Season
- Every day of the year, by booking
- Who it's for
- Families
- With a dog
- Only in a carrier that fits in the vehicle
Paleolítico Vivo is a wildlife reserve in Salgüero de Juarros, 20 km from Burgos and 12 km from Atapuerca, linked to a project to reintroduce European bison and Przewalski's horse. The idea is to show, in the countryside and not in a display case, the animals that shared this landscape with humans some ten thousand years ago. You see it on a guided visit of about two and a quarter hours, by booking, and it is the outdoor complement to the sites and the Museum of Human Evolution.
By 4x4 among the bison
The visit leaves from the village reception centre, a unit with a garage door and the reserve's logo on a small square, signposted from the entrance to Salgüero. You climb into a ten-seat 4x4 or a twenty-five-seat safari-type vehicle, with a driver who acts as guide. The route passes the animals' enclosures and gets as close to them as the terrain allows, with stops for photographs. On the way you see the landscape the project uses: the river area, a rock shelter with paintings, a hollow of centuries-old oaks, pasture and woodland. There is a stretch on foot, of gentle difficulty.
The camp and the fire
The final part is the prehistoric camp, where hunting techniques are shown, along with how fire was lit by friction. The reserve designs the visit for all ages.
Sessions and prices
- November to March: departures at 10:00, 12:30 and 15:30.
- April to October: 10:00, 12:30, 16:00 and 18:30.
- 6 to 31 January: closed to the public; groups only.
By 4x4 it costs €19 per adult and €16 for ages 4 to 12; under-3s do not pay, but do not take a seat. The VIP visit is a private safari for six people at most, lasting two and a half hours, with more stops and binoculars, for €190 per vehicle; book by phone. Standard tickets are bought on the website of Ociosfera, the company that runs it, or on 947 421 714 (Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 14:00).
By the N-120 to Salgüero
From Burgos, take the N-120 towards Logroño; after about 12 km, the turn-off to San Millán de Juarros by the BU-V-8002, and there turn left towards Salgüero, passing through Mozoncillo. It takes about 25 minutes.
For a meal in the area, the Restaurante Los Claveles, in Ibeas de Juarros, is on the way back to Burgos.
Tips
- Book ahead Groups are small and you go by booking: at weekends and in holidays the sessions fill up.
- Mountain weather It is a mountain reserve, not a theme park: check the forecast, because cold, rain or sun are felt in the vehicle and on the walking stretch.
- With a dog Only in a carrier that fits in the vehicle.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the safari visit last?
About two and a quarter hours.
How much does the safari cost?
€19 per adult and €16 for ages 4 to 12; under-3s free, without a seat.
Can young children go?
Yes, the reserve designs it for all ages.
Is it open in January?
From 6 to 31 January it receives groups only.
What animals do you see?
European bison and Przewalski's horses, among other species in the project.
Do you have to book the safari?
Yes, always.
With young childrenAs a familyWith a dog
