Your guide to the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo

Sign up for the FREE Calgary Attractions Pass to save 15% on daily admission tickets (up to 4 people) during your visit to the Zoo!

Not only do you see tigers, hippos, penguins, and giraffes on an island in the heart of Calgary, your admission supports the critical work of fighting the extinction of animals and plants, locally and globally.

The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is home to more than 4,000 animals, from over 100 different species. These animals are divided into six distinct ‘zones’ , each bringing you up close to some of the world’s most incredible species. Below outlines several species that can be found in each zone:

• Wild Canada – River otters, big horn sheep, wolves, bison, and Siku the polar bear.

• Destination Africa – Lions, lemurs, zebras, giraffes, hippos, and gorillas.

• Exploration Asia – Tigers, tapirs, gibbons and Komodo dragons.

• ENMAX Conservatory – Butterflies, moths, and tropical plants.

• Penguin Plunge – Humboldt, gentoo, rockhopper, and king penguins.

• Dorothy Harvie Gardens – Alpacas, peccaries, rheas, and flamingos.

Bouncing babies!

After months of anticipation and a whole lot of watermelon emojis, the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is thrilled to announce the arrival of its very first Malayan tapir calf — a female born on August 28th to first-time mom ‘Sempurna’. Our baby tapir ‘Nyawa’ is not the only one we have at the zoo. Watch our baby meerkats become bold savannah explorers on your next visit, and don’t miss out on our bouncing baby bison this fall.

ZOOLIGHTS, presented by Olympia Trust Company , is set to be BIGGER, BRIGHTER, and WILDER than ever before! Back for its 29th season, Calgary’s favourite sparkling spectacle is sure to ignite your festive spirit as the zoo transforms into a magical winter wonderland.

Spend your afternoon exploring the zoo and visiting your favourite animals, then stick around to experience the wonder of ZOOLIGHTS in one unforgettable visit. Available from November 14th, 2025, to January 4th, 2026, the Sunlight to ZOOLIGHTS combo ticket allows you to visit the zoo during the day starting at 1:00 p.m. and stay for ZOOLIGHTS that evening with a single discounted ticket.

Plus, save big this holiday season with Merry Mondays! For a limited time, only on Mondays (from November 17 to December 15, 2025) you can enjoy 20% off ZOOLIGHTS and Sunlight to ZOOLIGHTS tickets .

The perfect place to sit down for a snack or grab some lunch is the Kitamba Café . It has indoor and outdoor seating, a wide menu selection, and a dedicated coffee shop. You can expect comforting classics like hot dogs and hamburgers, as well as a hearty homemade chili.

There are also seven grab-and-go options placed around the park, so you’re never far from a tasty treat. Fan favourites in the winter months include the Camel Canteen and Penguin Café!

There’s always something to see and do at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo. Check back often to see what events are coming up that you and your family can enjoy, including several Wild After Hours adult-only events.

Sunday Safari Brunch 

The Sunday Safari Brunch is a one-of-a-kind Calgary experience, featuring decadent treats, breakfast classics, and a free-flowing chocolate fountain. It’s the perfect way to celebrate special occasions with custom menus offered during holidays like Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and Halloween. Best of all, a Safari Sunday Brunch Combo ticket includes admission, so you can keep exploring after breakfast.

Sunday Safari Brunch takes place each Sunday from January to November in the Safari Lodge.

The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo  is just 5 minutes east of downtown Calgary and has its own stop on the “Blue” line of the C-Train called ‘Zoo Station’ making it very easy to get to. It is also only a 20-minute drive south on Deerfoot Trail from the Calgary International Airport. If you prefer to walk or bike to the zoo, the park is conveniently located just off the Bow River Pathway.

Parking 

The main parking option is the North Lot off St. George’s Drive. The lot is open year-round but does require payment.

Accessibility 

The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is very wheelchair accessible . Every exhibit has automatic sliding doors and there are ramps where needed. Wheelchairs are also available for rent. Qualified attendants are given complimentary access to the zoo with proper ID.

If you have kids in tow, you’ll appreciate that there are wagons available for rent. There is also a caregiving room at Kitamba Cafè.

If you think you might feel overwhelmed during your visit, you can borrow a sensory bag which includes fidget and tactile items, and over-the-ear noise-cancelling headphones.

There are no hotels right at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo, but there are plenty of great options that you can walk to from a CTrain station or that you can drive to in under 10 minutes.

Hotels near a CTrain station  

• Hilton Garden Inn Calgary Downtown

• Homewood Suites by Hilton Calgary Downtown

• Hyatt Regency Calgary

• Calgary Marriott Downtown Hotel

• Le Germain Hotel Calgary

• Ramada Plaza Calgary Downtown

• Sandman Signature Calgary Downtown Hotel

• Best Western Premier Calgary Plaza Hotel & Conference Centre

Hotels within a 10-Minute drive 

• Alt Hotel Calgary East Village

• Delta Hotels Calgary Downtown

• Holiday Inn & Suites Calgary Airport North

• DoubleTree by Hilton Calgary North

• Best Western Airport Inn