Discover Sarasota Jungle Gardens, a lively sanctuary filled with exotic birds, lush greenery, and wildlife, perfect for group adventures. Dive into Florida’s natural beauty and learn about conservation while enjoying a vibrant outdoor setting.
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
1-3 hours
Fitness Level
All fitness levels; suitable for most visitors
Wildlife
History
Established over 60 years ago, Sarasota Jungle Gardens has long been a center for wildlife education and conservation in Florida.
Conservation
The gardens participate in native species preservation and environmentally sustainable practices, emphasizing responsible wildlife interaction.
Sarasota Jungle Gardens
Discover Sarasota Jungle Gardens, a lively sanctuary filled with exotic birds, lush greenery, and wildlife, perfect for group adventures. Dive into Florida’s natural beauty and learn about conservation while enjoying a vibrant outdoor setting.
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.
Stay Hydrated
Bring water bottles to keep hydrated while walking through the gardens.
Wear Sun Protection
Apply sunscreen, wear hats, and sunglasses for sun safety.
Comfortable Footwear
Wear sturdy walking shoes suitable for uneven paths.
Camera Ready
Bring your camera or smartphone for wildlife photos.
Sun protection (hat, sunscreen)
Protects against sun exposure during outdoor exploration.
summer
Camera or smartphone
Capture wildlife and scenic moments.
Comfortable walking shoes
Ensure comfort on uneven terrain.
Reusable water bottle
Stay hydrated while walking.