Group Reservations

Bring Your Group to Your Birmingham Zoo!

We are open Wednesday – Sunday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. No group reservations are available Monday or Tuesday. Group reservations must be made at least two (2) weeks in advance of your visit. A minimum of fifteen (15) paying individuals is required to receive group discounts.

Click the links below to learn about Birmingham Zoo groups and to reserve your visit today!

Steps to Make a Group Reservation

1. Review the information on this page to know options for your group visit.
2. Complete the reservation form, estimating the number of people if you do not yet know your final numbers
3. Receive a confirmation email within three (3) business days that will outline the details of your reservation and provide an estimate* of your cost.
4. To update your group numbers, you may email our groups team at groups@birminghazoo.com and receive an updated invoice. Only one updated invoice may be provided in a single week.
5. Email groups@birminghamzoo.com with any questions.

*If you would like a cost estimate but do NOT want to make a reservation at this time, please do not complete the form. Email groups@birminghamzoo.com directly.

Groups Price Guide: Tax-Exempt

For organizations with a tax-exempt Tax-ID number who are bringing 15+ paying individuals. Educational groups are usually schools or other non-profit organizations.

Admission

• Students: $11.95 per person
• Parent Chaperones: $15.95 per person
• Teachers: One (1) FREE teacher for every 10 paying students (up to 10 teachers free).
• Bus drivers & Nurses: Complimentary

Rides

• Train Ride: $3.25 per person for students and parent chaperones
• Unlimited Ride Wristbands: Currently unavailable

Seasonal Attractions (usually available spring-fall)

• Lorikeet feedings: $3.25 per person for students and parent chaperones
• Giraffe feedings: Currently unavailable for Groups (May be available for individual purchase on the day of visit)

Specific pricing is available for Title I school groups. Contact groups@birminghamzoo.com for more information or select Title I as group type on the reservation form.

Groups Price Guide: Non-Tax-Exempt

For organizations with NO tax-exempt Tax-ID number who are bringing 15+ paying individuals. Regular groups are usually families, scout troops, and for-profit organizations.

Admission

• Adults (ages 13+): $15.95 + tax per person
• Children (ages 2-12): $11.95 + tax per person
• Infants (ages 0-23 months): FREE

Rides

• Train Ride: $3.25 + tax per person
• Unlimited Ride Wristband: Currently unavailable

Seasonal Attractions (usually available spring-fall)

• Lorikeet feedings: $3.25 + tax per person
• Giraffe feedings: Currently unavailable for Groups (May be available for individual purchase on the day of visit)

Education Programs

September 2023 – mid-May 2024

· Available Wednesdays, Thursdays, & Fridays at 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

· Priced per program, not per person

· Up to 25 attendees per group, maximum

· Groups with more than the maximum number of attendees must purchase multiple programs in order to accommodate all their students

· Programs are limited each day and may sell out.

· Multiple programs may or may not be available to accommodate large groups.

Field Experiences: 45-60 minutes | Max attendance per group: 25 students

Guided tour-style programs, may include habitat chats, biofacts, and student challenges

· One program of up to 25 students – $175

· Two programs of up to 25 students each – $300

· Three programs of up to 25 students each – $450

· Four programs of up to 25 students each – $575

Click HERE for complete details of available programs.

Lunch at the Zoo

Pre-Ordering Lunch:

To pre-order your lunch from the zoo, please fill out the lunch section on the group reservation form or e-mail groups@birminghamzoo.com for more information or assistance. 

• Lunches are available for school groups only.
• Lunches must be ordered through the group reservation form.
• All lunch orders must be initiated seven (7) business days before your trip.
• All changes/updates to lunch orders are due three (3) business days prior to the visit.
• Any changes/updates requested after the final due date will be subject to approval and will be charged a $20 fee—even if the change cannot be made.
• Please note lunch portions are for preschool and elementary-aged children.

Click the link below to preview lunch options. To order lunch, complete the group reservation form and include lunch selections.

Changes/Reschedules/Cancellations for lunches are required 24 hours in advance. If a lunch is changed/rescheduled/cancelled after this timeline and food has already been purchased or prepared, the group will be invoiced for the cost and payment is required before any other groups trips may be booked for the organization.

Bringing Lunch:

You may bring your lunch and enjoy our picnic tables and pavilion in the east parking lot area next to the Junior League of Birmingham playground. Tables are first-come, first-served, and may NOT be reserved.

• All groups are welcome to bring their lunch and eat at our picnic tables
• Educational groups may also enjoy their lunch picnic-style on Henley Park lawn just inside the entrance to the Zoo.
• Everyone is also welcome to bring money and individually purchase lunch at either of our two restaurants, Nourish 205 and Wild Burger.

Payment Details

• All group pricing is valid for one transaction/payment per group. This means that the entire group must be paid together. Anyone not paid as part of the group must purchase regular-priced tickets at the front gate.
• If paying in person, please have a completed Field Trip Check-in Form to accompany payment. This will help ensure charges are calculated correctly.
• If parents/chaperones would like to receive the group rate, they must pay through your organization and be included in the single group payment. If your group is paying the day of, please collect money from any parents/chaperones that are receiving the group rate prior to arriving at the Zoo.
• We CAN NOT accept individual payments from parents/chaperones for Group Rates, but they are welcome to visit the Front Gate for regular admission.
• You may pay for the trip the day you attend before your group enters the zoo.
• Please allow 14-21 business days when mailing payment in advance. If you cannot mail a payment this far in advance, please hold the check to bring with you at the time of check-in.
• We accept business checks and all major credit cards. No personal checks will be accepted as payment for organizations.
• Payments may not be invoiced and invoices are not accepted as payment. Groups must have a valid form of payment (business check, credit card, or cash) available to pay in full prior to entering the zoo.
• Zoo Memberships may be used for admission ONLY. Education programs must be paid for with the group. Rides or animal feedings will not be discounted unless paid for with the group.
• There must be 15 individuals paying for admission in order to receive group rates. Those using memberships to gain free admission do not count toward this number.
• To receive an updated total, email groups@birminghamzoo.com with the final totals of students, parent chaperones, teachers, bus drivers, and/or nurses. We can provide an updated invoice once per week.

Changes/Reschedules/Cancellations for lunches are required 24 hours in advance. If a lunch is changed/rescheduled/cancelled after this timeline and food has already been purchased or prepared, the group will be invoiced for the cost and payment is required before any other groups trips may be booked for the organization.

Check-In & Arrival

Paying & Checking In

• Field Trip Check-In forms must be completed and turned in with in-person payments to ensure charges are calculated correctly.
• Final updates on admission numbers may be provided at the time of check-in and payment. Check overages of $35 or more will be refunded by check to the business from which the payment originated.
• Payments may not be invoiced. Groups must have a valid form of payment (business check, credit card, or cash) available to pay in full prior to entering the zoo.

Parents

• If a parent needs to purchase their own ticket, they may do so at the main front gate booth. They may not receive the discounted group rate when purchasing a ticket individually.
• If a parent is running late, their wristband may be left at the front gate booth with their name. Parents and teachers must have a way to communicate directly. Staff cannot locate a group once they have entered the zoo.
• If parents have memberships for admission, they must check-in at the front gate booths or kiosks.
• Birmingham Zoo staff cannot locate groups for chaperones who arrive late. Please make sure chaperones/parents/grandparents have a method to contact teachers directly.

Bus Parking

• Busses must park in the gravel lots. No busses may park on the paved, main lots directly in front of the zoo. Click HERE for more bus parking instructions. Click HERE for the bus parking map. 

Inside the Zoo

• If you have an Education program, your meet-up time and location were provided in your confirmation email. The Guest Services team member at the check-in booth will be able to confirm the time and location you should meet your Zoo Educator.
• There is no place inside the zoo designated to store lunches. They may be left on the bus or placed somewhere in the zoo near or on Henley Lawn. No guarantee is made of the security or safety of these.
• Groups that bring their lunch may not utilize restaurant seating to eat their meal. Restaurant seating is reserved for paying customers of restaurants.
• Students of any age must be supervised in all areas of the zoo, including all indoor areas such as restaurants, gift shop, and animal habitat buildings.

Refund/Cancellation/Reschedules

Refund Policy:

• No refunds will be issued for purchased wristbands. Extra or leftover wristbands and ride tickets are good for another date of their choice.
• A refund may be issued for check overages of $35 or more if the difference is discussed at the time of purchase.
• Refunds take 2 weeks for processing and will be sent to the school/organization address on the original check or address given on the group reservation form.

Cancellation policy:

• Cancellations must be submitted via e-mail at least 72 hours before your trip.
• You will receive an e-mail with confirmation of your cancellation.
• If you have pre-paid for your trip and are unable to reschedule, the wristbands you purchased are good for up to a year. They may be kept to be used for another trip or distributed to the participants to come and use another day.
• If a refund is preferred, all wristbands must be returned to the Birmingham Zoo before your refund can be processed and the trip must be canceled at least 72 hours prior to your scheduled arrival.
• In this case, there is no penalty and your trip may be refunded in full. If you have not canceled your trip at least 72 hours prior to your scheduled arrival, your payment will not be refunded.

Rescheduling policy:

• Your Birmingham Zoo remains open and available for groups during rain.  
• Reschedules must be submitted via e-mail at least 72 hours before your trip and the new visit date must be available.
• If you arrive on a day that is not your scheduled visit date, you will be subject to paying regular-priced admission at the front gate.
• There is no fee to reschedule if:
  • 1) It is your first (1st) reschedule request,
  • 2) The reschedule is necessary due to unexpected circumstances beyond your organization’s control, or
  • 3) If the Birmingham Zoo requires rescheduling.
• Any additional reschedules will be charged a $25 rescheduling fee.

Changes/Reschedules/Cancellations for lunches are required 24 hours in advance. If a lunch is changed/rescheduled/cancelled after this timeline and food has already been purchased or prepared, the group will be invoiced for the cost and payment is required before any other groups trips may be booked for the organization.

Sensory Initiative

Raising Awareness – Increasing Accessibility – Promoting Inclusive Experience

Your Birmingham Zoo is Sensory Inclusive! We were the first zoo to partner with KultureCity to develop the Sensory Inclusive Zoo Initiative. This initiative has been successful in making your zoo—and many other attractions throughout the U.S.—more welcoming and accessible to individuals with Sensory Processing needs.

• Quiet Zones, Headphone Zones, and locations with weighted lap pads are identifiable by signs throughout the park featuring the sensory logo.
• A limited number of Sensory Bags are available for checkout at no cost on a first-come, first-served basis in our Membership Booth. These bags contain noise-canceling headphones, fidget toys, and other resources.