Self Guided Safari Field Trips

Description: Schedule an unguided walk through the zoo and go at your own pace! Our 28-acre grounds with outdoor trails is the ideal way to get students outdoors in a safe environment. Add to the educational experience by downloading our standards-based guides on our Learning Yurt teacher resource page at https://www.alaskazoo.org/the-learning-yurt.

Grade Levels: Pre-K-12th grade (all ages welcome). Groups must be education classrooms, private schools or homeschools.

Safari Rates: $10/student, $14/adult. Ages 2 and under are free and counted at the gate. These rates are only offered to education groups who reserve in advance. Groups who arrive unscheduled will pay full admission rates. Self-Guided Safaris must be reserved and made at least 1 week prior to your visit.

Payment may be made in the following ways:

• Pay at gate with a credit card, check or cash. Have one organized payment and a completed admissions form before you arrive (form emailed after registration).

• NO REFUNDS will be given for missing students.

• No invoicing in the 2024/2025 school year.

If adults are zoo members and would like to use their membership at the gate, they can do so for Self Guided Safari field trips. This only applies to adult zoo members, not students. All students must pay the $10 field trip fee regardless of membership.

Additional terms of entry:

• Arrive at the scheduled time with a completed admissions form.

• Arrive with an accurate count of students and adults.

• Arrive witih one form of organized payment.

• Individuals coming separately may be charged full admission.

• Please bring your registration (attached to your confirmation email) in printed form or with the barcode pulled up on your phone for scanning at the gate.

• When you arrive, wait on the bus for a zoo educator to greet you.

• Payment will be handled before everyone gets off the bus.

• We ask teachers and chaperones to keep students on the trails at all times and off of trail fences. Please encourage respectful behavior toward zoo animals.

Ratio: You must have a ratio of 1 adult per 5 students for your safety at the zoo. Ages 12 and over need 1 adult per 10 students.

Reserve Your Field Trip: When you click the button to select your date, you will see time options. The arrival times are listed by 15 minute intervals here. If you do not see the date and time you need listed in our options, you can contact at programs@alaskazoo.org with questions. We will always make room for your group!

Once you complete your reservation, you will receive an automatic confirmation email. One week before your program, a zoo educator will contact you via email with our Teacher Checklist, Animal List, SGS packets, Map, and Admissions Form. You will complete an Admissions Form which should be brought to the zoo and presented upon arrival. This form will include your final numbers of students and adults.

Title 1 School Discount in October and February: Schools classified by ASD as Title 1 schools receive a special rate of $5/person (student or adult) in October 2024 and February 2025. See the list of eligible schools here.

FAQ’s: Frequently asked Field Trip questions

Are there any spots in the zoo where my students may eat lunch? We have many eating areas available for groups. Our covered picnic pavilion seats up to 60 students. It is available on a first-come basis.

Why do animals need homes at the Alaska Zoo? Most of the animals at the Alaska Zoo were rescued from the wild after being orphaned or suffering injuries. The zoo only takes in wildlife that are brought to us by agency biologists. Some of the animals at the zoo, like the snow leopards or Arctic fox sisters, were born in human care at other facilities.

When is the petting zoo open? It is only open when we have volunteers to staff it. It is open daily during the summer months and on special event days. It is closed during the winter months. However even when it is closed, the goats are friendly and will likely come over to say hi!