Self Guided Safari Field Trips

Schedule an unguided walk through the zoo. Go at your own pace! Add to the educational experience by downloading our standards-based guides on our Learning Yurt teacher resource page. These guides are grade level specific for use in preparing for your zoo field trip.

Grade Levels: Pre-K-12th grade

Safari Rates: $9/student, $12/adult

NEW FOR TITLE 1 SCHOOLS! We will be offering discount months in October 2023 and February 2024 for schools classified by ASD as Title 1 schools, see the list of eligible schools here. Self Guided Safari field trip dates for Title 1 schools who come to the zoo in October 2023 and February 2024 will pay the rate of $5/student and $5/adult.

Registration and Payment Details:

• Offered daily on weekdays during the school year.

• Register online one week minimum before your trip date.

• Online advance registration is required to receive the Self Guided Safari rate.

• Once you have reserved your date, a zoo educator will email you the Teacher Checklist, Animal List, SGS packets, Map, and Admissions Form.

• Pay at the gate with a credit card, check or cash. Have one organized form of payment and a completed admissions form with you upon arrival. Payment will be collected by a Zoo Educator. This form will be emailed to you after you register.

• NO REFUNDS for missing students. No invoicing in the 2023/2024 school year.

Terms of entry:

• Required ratios: 1 adult to 5 students. The ratio is 1 adult to 10 students for ages 12 and older.

• Adult chaperones and teachers who are zoo members can use zoo memberships at the gate on field trips. All children coming for field trips must pay full field trip fees regardless of membership status.

• Groups must arrive at the scheduled time with a completed admissions form including an accurate count of students and adults and one organized payment.

• Individual group members coming in separately may be charged full admission.

• No refunds for missing students. No invoicing in the 2023/2024 school year.

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

• We ask teachers and chaperones to keep students on the trails at all times and off of trail fences. Please keep all of your group members at a safe distance from the fences and animals.

Schedule Your Self Guided Safari

Note: If you need dates/times not shown in the system, contact us at programs@alaskazoo.org to schedule. We will always make room for your group!

FAQ’s: Frequently asked Field Trip questions

How should I pay for my field trip?

Payment may be made in the following ways:

• YOU MUST SCHEDULE YOUR TRIP IN ADVANCE WITH EDUCATORS TO PAY THE SELF GUIDED RATE.

• Pay at the gate with a credit card, check or cash. Have one organized form of payment and a completed admissions form with you upon arrival. Payment will be collected by a Zoo Educator. This form will be emailed after registration is complete.

• NO REFUNDS will be given for missing students. No invoicing.

Can zoo memberships be used on field trips? Adults (teachers and chaperones) on field trips are welcome to use their zoo membership at the gate. This should be noted on the Admissions Form. Students will need to pay the rates for the program being selected.

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 residing at the Alaska Zoo were rescued from the wild after being orphaned or suffering injuries. The rest were born in human care at our zoo or 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!