Discover the exciting world of Sponsored Events at Sarasota Jungle Gardens, where animal encounters and educational outreach create a fun, engaging outdoors experience for all ages.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
2–4 hours
Fitness Level
All fitness levels; suitable for most visitors including children and seniors
Wildlife
History
Sarasota Jungle Gardens was established in the 1930s as a citrus farm before transforming into a public botanical garden and wildlife attraction.
Conservation
The gardens actively participate in local conservation initiatives, promoting native plant growth and wildlife preservation.
Sarasota Jungle Gardens
Discover the exciting world of Sponsored Events at Sarasota Jungle Gardens, where animal encounters and educational outreach create a fun, engaging outdoors experience for all ages.
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 the best spots
Getting to the events early ensures you can enjoy the full setup and avoid crowds.
Bring sun protection and water
Florida sun can be intense; stay hydrated and protect yourself from midday heat.
Wear comfortable shoes
Walking through gardens and event areas requires comfortable, supportive footwear.
Check the schedule in advance
Review event times and activities to plan your visit around your interests.
Sun protection and hat
Keeps you protected from the sun during outdoor activities.
summer
Reusable water bottle
Stay hydrated during your visit, especially on warm days.
spring;summer;fall;winter
Comfortable walking shoes
Supportive footwear is necessary for walking and engaging in various activities.
Light outdoor jacket
Layer up for cooler weather or unexpected rain.
spring;fall;winter