Celebrate a birthday surrounded by exotic animals and lush scenery at Sarasota Jungle Gardens. Discover fun petting zoos, flamingo feeding, and interactive shows—perfect for a family adventure!
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
2–4 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for children and families, no special fitness required.
Wildlife
History
Founded in 1939, Sarasota Jungle Gardens has been a staple for local outdoor adventure, focusing on conservation and education of Florida's native species.
Conservation
The Gardens actively participate in wildlife preservation efforts, promoting sustainable practices and caring for injured animals.
Sarasota Jungle Gardens
Celebrate a birthday surrounded by exotic animals and lush scenery at Sarasota Jungle Gardens. Discover fun petting zoos, flamingo feeding, and interactive shows—perfect for a family adventure!
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.
Arrive early for parking
Parking can fill up quickly during peak times, so plan to arrive early to secure a spot.
Bring sun protection
Florida's sun can be intense—wear hats, sunscreen, and sunglasses to stay comfortable.
Prepare for animal interactions
Kids may want to bring small snacks or toys for extra fun during animal encounters.
Have waterproof shoes ready
Some animal exhibits and play areas may be muddy or wet, so sturdy footwear is recommended.
Sun protection kit
Hats, sunscreen, and sunglasses are essential for staying comfortable outdoors.
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Comfortable walking shoes
Sturdy shoes will keep kids and adults comfortable as they walk around the gardens.
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Water bottles
Staying hydrated is key during Florida’s outdoor celebrations.
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Light jacket or cover-up
A light layer can be useful if temperatures drop in the evenings.
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