Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens: Wild Friends and Beautiful Flowers!
North of Orlando, tucked away in the town of Sanford, is a lovely lot of land—a little over 100 acres—crawling with wild things. The mocking laugh of a kookaburra rakes through the air as cheetahs prowl in the undergrowth and poison dart frogs cling to the shadowy side of leaves. You might be thinking to yourself, “Florida’s wild, but not that wild!”
And you’d be right.
These awesome critters aren’t just running around willy-nilly; they’re part of the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens! (Although with alligators, black bears, and panthers, I’d say our state is still plenty wild!)
Home to over 350 animals and over 100 species, the Central Florida Zoo may be on the smaller side, but that doesn’t detract from the quality of the establishment at all. With special animal encounters, zip line courses, and regularly scheduled special events, there’s certainly no lack of fun to be had here! Wonderfully well-kept and active in conservation efforts, the zoo—along with its gorgeous botanical gardens—is a lovely place to spend the day!
Wild Friends
There are some amazing animals to discover at the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens! While it might not have as many creatures as other zoos, frankly, I find its smaller size is part of the charm!
Rather than an overwhelming day of walking and being afraid you’ll miss something, you can take your time strolling through the zoo and really get to observe each and every critter. And there’s certainly enough of them to fill two to three hours of your afternoon! It makes for a great family excursion!
The zoo is divided into sections: mammals, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and invertebrates. There are loveable llamas, soft-looking cloud leopards, sticky-footed tree frogs, and tawny frogmouth birds whose beak-to-body ratio results in a hilariously cute face. From creepy crawly tarantulas to adorable Amazon milk frogs, there’s something to surprise and delight in every enclosure!
One of my favorite species at the Central Florida Zoo is the black-breasted leaf turtle. One of the smallest turtles in the world, these guys only grow to about five inches, and their shells really do resemble fallen autumn leaves. Surveying the world with big, curious eyes, these little cuties are just one of several endangered species in the zoo’s care.
Beautiful Flowers
In addition to cool critters, Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens is also home to some truly intriguing plant life!
For example, the “Porcupines of the Plant Kingdom Garden” is where the prickliest, tickliest plants grow. Sometimes thorny bushes and spiky thistles seem like they exist simply to annoy us, but did you know being pointy actually has some perks? You’ll learn all about this special defense against omnivores when you check out this garden!
In the “Health and Wellness Garden,” you’ll find plants used for medicine, cooking, and making stuff smell nice, while the zoo itself is a garden for ferns—ancient plants that spawn using spores. (A truly wild concept, if you ask me.)
However, the best garden is the Butterfly Garden. Obviously.
Not only are there beautiful blossoms to behold, but because they are specially selected to attract pollinators, you might just see a flock of butterflies and hummingbirds fluttering around!
Encounters and Events
You can take your trip to the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens to the next level by participating in one of their exciting extra activities!
Zipping Right Along
With a variety of zipline courses for both kids and adults, everyone has an opportunity to fly through the forest on an adventure that suits their skill level. With several elements, ziplines, rope bridges, and sky swings, you’ll feel like one of the resident Macaws as you soar among the canopy! Make sure to bring tennis shoes, as they are required for all courses. (Note that Central Florida Zoo tickets must be purchased in advance.)
Splash Ground
Kiddos will love cooling off in the zoo’s tropical oasis brimming with sprinklers and spritzers! Water features are in the shape of fun animals, so you don’t have to leave the wildlife behind just because you’re taking a splash break!
Keeper Chats
Every day at 1:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m., you can tune into Keeper Chats! Led by the zoo’s care specialists, you can witness a demonstration—and maybe even have an encounter—with one of the animals! Learn something new about species from around the world and discover a deeper appreciation for the animals at Central Florida Zoo.
Exclusive Encounters
For an additional fee, you can meet PJ, the friendly one-horned Indian rhino, or feed Rafiki and Gage, the zoo’s giraffes. Whichever encounter you embark on is sure to spark a special connection between you and these gentle giants. You can also check out the less exotic (but no less adorable!) barnyard buddies, too!
Special Events
What’s really cool about Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens is that there’s always a reason to come back! Of course, seeing ring-tailed lemurs never gets boring, but I’m referring to the zoo’s special events! For example, on select days throughout the summer, they have Family Sunset at the Zoo with inflatable games, music, and concessions as the sun goes down. There are also Night Hikes at the zoo—adventurous, nocturnal tours in the dark where you can discover the animals who stay up past everyone else’s bedtime. There are also days dedicated to specific species and habitats, like Bear Awareness Day in July, which brings recognition to conservation concerns through engaging games, crafts, and keeper talks.
Make sure to check back regularly at the zoo’s website for updates on upcoming fun!
Have you been to the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens? What was your favorite animal? Let us know in the comments below!
See you on the next adventure!
Cover Image
Photo: Unsplash
Recommended Gear for this Adventure
Disclaimer: We earn a commission if you click any of the links above and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.
