Celebrate your birthday surrounded by Florida’s native flora and fauna at Sarasota Jungle Gardens. Enjoy free admission and a one-of-a-kind zoo garden experience that’s all about your special day.
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
1–3 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for all ages and fitness levels; minimal walking required but comfortable shoes are recommended.
Wildlife
History
Established in 1939, Sarasota Jungle Gardens is among Florida’s oldest garden-zoo hybrids, showcasing native wildlife conservation alongside education.
Conservation
The Gardens commit to habitat preservation by promoting native plants and responsible animal care, aiming for minimal environmental impact.
Sarasota Jungle Gardens
Celebrate your birthday surrounded by Florida’s native flora and fauna at Sarasota Jungle Gardens. Enjoy free admission and a one-of-a-kind zoo garden experience that’s all about your special day.
Sarasota Jungle Gardens is a family-focused wildlife attraction in Sarasota featuring over 250 native and exotic animals. The park combines general admission exploration with scheduled, hands-on animal encounters designed for visitors of all ages. Guests can stroll landscaped trails, observe free-roaming flamingos, and enjoy daily wildlife shows while discovering turtles, birds, and other species.
Scheduled encounters include the Bird Encounter—held at 11:30 am, 1:30 pm, and 2:30 pm—where visitors can hold and photograph tropical birds such as macaws and cockatoos. Aldabra Tortoise Interactions are 30-minute sessions offered daily at 10:30 am and 2:00 pm, providing guided opportunities to learn about and gently pet Aldabra tortoises. The Alligator Encounter allows supervised holding, petting, or touching of young alligators at multiple times throughout the day for a safe, hands-on experience.
Group options accommodate parties of 12 or more, with activities like flamingo feeding and daily shows; a tax-exempt group admission option is available for qualifying organizations. Ringling College groups have tailored outings and group rates. Sponsored Booth Events provide outreach setups with tents, tables, artifacts, brochures, and touchable animals for community engagement. Birthday party packages include a petting zoo, animal interactions, flamingo feeding, shows, and on-site coordination.
All programming is offered in supervised settings with trained staff and zookeepers during scheduled encounters. Visitors are encouraged to check scheduled times for each experience when planning a visit.
Animals Onsite
250+
Native and exotic species
Group Friendly
12+ per group
School, camp, and family bookings
Daily Shows
Daily
Wildlife shows and scheduled encounters
Hands-On Experiences
Multiple
Feeding, touching, and photo ops
Reserve general admission, a scheduled encounter, or a group booking to secure hands-on wildlife experiences at Sarasota Jungle Gardens.
Book early for birthday week visits
Secure your preferred date within the week of your birthday, as weekends and popular times can fill up quickly.
Stay hydrated in Florida’s heat
Bring water and sun protection; Florida’s subtropical climate can be intense, especially in summer months.
Wear comfortable walking shoes
Paths are mostly flat but cover several acres—proper footwear makes the visit more enjoyable.
Respect wildlife and habitats
Follow guidelines about feeding animals and using designated pathways to protect the gardens’ ecosystem.
Comfortable walking shoes
Supports extended walking on garden paths and uneven terrain.
Sun protection (hat, sunscreen)
Protects against strong Florida sun during daytime visits.
spring|summer|fall
Reusable water bottle
Staying hydrated is important in Florida’s warm climate.
all
Light rain jacket
Useful for sudden afternoon showers common during rainy seasons.
summer|fall