2 June 2026

Eco-Helpers on Hooves: Meet Riva Bella’s Donkeys and Pigs

Looking for an authentic, family-friendly way to connect with nature on your Corsican holiday? Eco-Helpers on Hooves is your guide to meeting Riva Bella’s donkeys and pigs—gentle residents you can observe and feed during your stay. These animals round out the resort’s beloved llama story and bring the estate’s eco-tourism philosophy to life in a way kids and adults never forget.

In this post, you’ll discover who these animals are, how to interact with them respectfully, and how their presence complements a wider nature-first approach that has earned the resort the European Ecolabel and a carbon-neutral label. You’ll also find practical tips for planning a visit, from family activities to getting here with ease.

Meet the residents of the animal park

Riva Bella’s onsite animal park is home to three species you can see up close: llamas, donkeys and pigs. Guests are welcome to observe them and feed them with suitable vegetable peelings provided or approved by staff.

Donkeys: calm, curious companions

Donkeys at the resort’s park are approachable and easy for children to meet under adult supervision.
With patient temperaments, they’re ideal for first animal encounters.
You can offer them suitable vegetable peelings provided or approved by the team.

Pigs: inquisitive and full of character

Pigs are social and highly curious, making them fun to watch as they explore their surroundings.
As with all animals on site, feed only staff-provided or approved vegetable peelings.

And of course, the llamas

Riva Bella’s llama story dates to 1989. About ten hectares of the estate host these peaceful animals.
The llamas naturally help maintain the grounds and even supply wool used for bungalow insulation—an emblem of the resort’s low-impact mindset.
Families can meet the llamas on nature walks and learn how wildlife and land stewardship go hand in hand.

Why these animals matter for eco-tourism

Riva Bella is more than a beachfront holiday setting—it’s a living landscape where people and nature share the same space respectfully. The resort’s approach includes eco-gestures, the European Ecolabel, a carbon-neutral label, and eco-designed lodgings that prioritise natural materials, renewable energies, and careful resource management. Renewable systems onsite include solar energy, geothermal systems, and water treatment.

In many natural settings, herbivores like donkeys help keep vegetation in balance through responsible grazing. Their steady presence encourages calm, low-stress interactions with people.
Omnivores like pigs are renowned for their keen senses and curiosity; in many landscapes, they can contribute to natural ground disturbance through rooting, which, when managed, can aerate topsoil.

Together with the llama herd that naturally aerates and fertilises the soil, the presence of donkeys and pigs enriches the resort’s eco-tourism story: guests don’t just read about sustainability—they see and feel it during everyday moments on the estate.

How to visit and interact respectfully

A few simple guidelines keep everyone—human and animal—happy and safe.

Quick answers for first-time visitors

Can I feed the donkeys and pigs? Yes. Feed only suitable vegetable peelings provided or approved by resort staff.
Is it safe for children? Yes. Children may safely approach the donkeys and pigs. As with any animal encounter, supervise young ones and follow staff guidance.
Where will we meet them? In the onsite animal park, where you can observe and interact calmly.

Do’s and don’ts

Do:
- Use only staff-provided or approved vegetable peelings.
- Approach calmly and let animals come to you.
- Supervise children and keep noise low.
- Follow any directions from onsite staff.
Don’t:
- Bring outside food or treats unless approved.
- Chase, crowd, or corner animals.
- Drop litter or leave packaging near the enclosures.

Good-to-know for families

The estate is safely delimited and secure, and children are never in danger of getting lost while moving around the site.
The Cool’n Camp mobile app helps you organise your days with schedules and practical information.
Riva Bella is open all year, so animal encounters can be part of a spring escape, a summer holiday, an autumn break, or winter sun.

Make it a full day of nature and wellness

Pair your meet-and-feed moments with these onsite experiences:

Nature walks: Explore the ten-hectare llama park on foot and observe the herd in their coastal habitat.
Cycle the estate: There’s a dedicated internal cycle track looping safely away from road traffic.
Sports and movement: A supervised programme runs daily from April to October (bank holidays included) and Friday to Monday the rest of the year—think longe-côte (sea-wading), Pilates, HIIT and general fitness.
Courts and games: Enjoy tennis, a full volleyball court and several table-tennis tables.
Beachfront relaxation: The resort is directly on the beach, with nautical activities available right on the shore.
Thalasso & Spa: The 500 m² centre is open to everyone by reservation and features a 32 °C marine circuit, massages, aesthetic treatments, a naturist bio-sauna, and care prepared with ointments from the Corsican maquis.

Tip for parents: While the kids enjoy the secure grounds and gentle animal encounters, book a spa treatment or unwind by the sea. The Thalasso is accessible even if you’re not staying overnight.

Planning your visit: where we are and how to get here

Location: Riva Bella sits on Corsica’s east coast about 7 km north of Aléria.
Travel times: It’s roughly halfway between Bastia and Porto-Vecchio; driving from either town is under 1 hour 30 minutes.
Getting here:
- Arrive in Corsica by plane or by ferry, then continue to the resort by hire car, taxi or coach service.
- The resort provides information and assistance for car hire and taxi transfers.
- Through a partnership with CORSICA LINEA, guests can obtain a discount on sea crossings using the promotional code HEBCDRB.
- Electric vehicles: Fast-charging points are available onsite.

Practical FAQs about Riva Bella’s donkeys and pigs

Can guests feed the donkeys and pigs?

Yes. Guests may feed them with suitable vegetable peelings provided or approved by resort staff.

Are these animals safe for children to approach?

Yes. Children may safely approach the donkeys and pigs. Always supervise young children and respect staff guidance.

What other animals live in the park?

In addition to donkeys and pigs, the park is home to llamas that guests can observe on nature walks.

Is the estate family-friendly?

Yes. Riva Bella is a family camping village with secure grounds and activities for all ages.

Practical takeaways and tips

Feed responsibly: Only offer staff-provided or approved vegetable peelings.
Keep it calm: Quiet voices and unhurried movements make the best encounters.
Plan ahead: Use the Cool’n Camp app for schedules and practical info during your stay.
Explore more nature: Stroll the Étang walking trail and the outdoor fitness trail for varied coastal and lagoon landscapes.
Stay sustainable: Look for the resort’s eco-designed accommodations and take advantage of onsite renewable energy thinking.
Make it a learning moment: Talk with kids about how animals and people share the land respectfully.

Extend your eco-friendly holiday

Family value: Children under seven stay free for bookings of seven consecutive nights between 1 April–4 July and 29 August–5 November.
Long-stay savings: 15% off for 10–16 nights, 20% off for 17–34 nights and 30% off for more than 34 nights.
Winter sun: 50% off stays over 60 nights between 15 October and 15 April.
Big families: 10% reduction for bookings of two adults with three or more children for at least seven nights.

Looking to tailor your stay? Group stays are welcome, and four accommodations are adapted for guests with reduced mobility. Free high-definition Wi‑Fi covers all pitches and rentals, so remote work or a digital-nomad setup is straightforward.

Family naturist holidays in Corsica: how to make the most of a nature-first stay.
Ecotourism in Corsica: the simple gestures that protect landscapes.
Corsican essential oils in thalassotherapy: a sensory journey from maquis to spa.
Naturist camping and caravan pitches: beachfront freedom with everyday comforts.

Conclusion

Eco-Helpers on Hooves isn’t just a catchy phrase—it’s a hands-on way to meet Riva Bella’s donkeys and pigs and experience sustainability in action. Alongside the estate’s iconic llamas, these approachable animals help families slow down, connect and learn what mindful travel looks like on Corsica’s serene east coast.

Ready to plan your visit? Book your eco-friendly escape, meet the animals and explore the beach, sports and spa all in one place. Contact us at +33 4 95 38 81 10 or +33 4 95 38 86 06, or email rivabella.corsica@gmail.com to start your journey.