Terms & Conditions

Introduction

Welcome to Tropical Bird Gardens (Leicestershire) Ltd, trading as Tropical Birdland. We are a limited company registered in England and Wales under company number 01847598 and with our registered office at The Spinneys, Lindridge Lane, Desford, Leicestershire LE9 9GN. Our main trading address is Tropical Birdland, Lindridge Lane, Desford, Leicestershire LE9 9GN. Our VAT number is 424558153. We operate the website www.tropicalbirdland.com.

Park opening hours are 10am to 5:30pm (March to October) or 10am to 4pm (November and February), 10am to 2pm (December and January).

To ensure a safe, enjoyable, and respectful experience for all visitors, animals, and staff, we kindly ask you to read and adhere to the following terms and conditions. By entering the zoo premises, you agree to comply with these rules and any instructions provided by zoo staff.

Park Regulations

Tropical Birdland Management reserve the right to refuse entry to the Zoo, prohibit from any future entry to the Zoo or escort from the zoo premises, any person or persons who whilst on Tropical Birdland premises or communicating with us:

Uses abusive, threatening or insulting words or behaviour towards our staff or other visitors, or whose behaviour may provoke, cause offence or disrupt any of our birds and animals.

Brings into the zoo or has in their possession any offensive weapons or dangerous articles.

Fails to adhere to and follow health and safety written and /or verbal instructions of each area, enclosure, aviary at Tropical Birdland or behaves in a manner which may endanger staff, other visitors and our birds/animals at the zoo.

Attempts to feed animals or birds which have not been authorised to do so or which does not have advertised feed provided.

Takes alcoholic beverages into the Zoo on admission or appears to be under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs or other substances.

Climbs or stands on fences, barriers, walls, structures, or buildings on the zoo premises.

All smoking (including but not limited to cigarettes, pipes (including water pipes such as shisha and hookah pipes), cigars, herbal cigarettes and e-cigs/e-cigarettes) is strictly prohibited within the zoo premises, except for designated smoking areas located in the car park.

The use of bicycles, scooters, roller skates, rollerblades, skateboards or any other such item is prohibited on the zoo premises, and entry into the zoo with any of these such items will be denied.

Offensive clothing, which can include offensive slogans, is prohibited from being worn on the zoo premises. Shoes, shirts and tops must be worn at all times.

Only persons or organisations authorised by Tropical Birdland are permitted to sell or offer for sale any goods or services on the zoo premises.

Tropical Birdland has a legal obligation to carry out Health and Safety drills, including but not limited to Fire Evacuation Drills and Bird/Animal Escape Drills. If a drill is scheduled for the date of your visit, you will be made aware of this on arrival. If you do not wish to participate, you will be given the opportunity to change the date of your tickets.

Admission

Entry is permitted only with a valid ticket. Tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable except where required by law.

Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

The zoo reserves the right to refuse admission or remove any visitor for breach of these terms, or for behaviour deemed unsafe or inappropriate.

During busy periods such as School and Bank Holidays (i.e. Easter, Summer Holidays and October half term) ticket numbers will be limited for each day and entry will be by online pre-purchased E-ticket only. E-tickets are available to purchase via our official website in conjunction with our ticket provider. At the door/gate ticket purchases cannot be guaranteed during busy periods.

During other times of the year, tickets will be available to purchase either online or at the main entrance/reception (‘on the door/gate’).

Tickets are available in E-ticket format and can be presented on your device or printed at home. All tickets must be shown at the entrance for scanning.

Tickets are available in timed arrival entrance slots of 30mins from 10am to 4pm daily. You must arrive within the 30-minute arrival time slot to guarantee your entrance to Tropical Birdland. If you arrive outside the time slot, your entrance may not be guaranteed, and no refunds will be given.

Once your ticket has been scanned, you can stay and enjoy the rest of your day with us.

All tickets are non-refundable and cannot be exchanged for another date or time. No tickets are permitted for resale to any third party. Any tickets that have been altered in any way will be void.

Tropical Birdland is an outdoor attraction. We are open in all weather conditions, so we ask that visitors come dressed appropriately. Refunds will only be given if we are forced to close due to severe weather conditions, and this will be communicated to you.

For the purposes of ticket purchases, the following definitions that are used on our Site shall apply:

Adult means a person aged from 16 years to 59 years inclusive.
Child means a person aged from 4 years to 15 years inclusive (under 4’s are free of charge). Children under the age of 16 years must be accompanied by a responsible person over the age of 18 years
Senior means a person aged 60 years and over.
Student means a person who is in full-time education and holds a valid, current student identity card.
Carer means a person who accompanies a disabled person for the purpose of providing them necessary support and assistance with accessibility to Tropical Birdland.
To claim a carer ticket, you must present valid proof of eligibility upon arrival. Failure to provide the required documentation at the gate will result in the carer being charged the standard daily entrance fee.
- We accept the following:
  - Carer’s card
  - Benefit award letter
  - Photographic staff ID card (for registered care homes only).
To claim a student ticket, you must present valid proof of eligibility upon arrival. Failure to provide a valid student photo ID card at the gate will result in the student being charged the standard daily entrance fee.

Dogs and all other pets are not permitted into Tropical Birdland; however, they are welcome in the Real Macaw Tea Rooms entrance on the car park.

Tropical Birdland Management have the right to refuse entry or to remove anybody from the premises if rules are not followed.

Booking Fee

Booking fees do not apply to entry tickets purchased on the day at the gate.

Fee Definition and Purpose

A mandatory transaction fee (the "Booking Fee") is applied to each completed online reservation.

This fee covers the administrative costs of secure payment processing, platform maintenance, and the automated delivery of digital tickets or confirmations.

Payment and Disclosure

The Booking Fee is a flat charge per transaction, regardless of the number of tickets or services purchased in that single booking.

All mandatory fees are disclosed at the beginning of the booking journey and included in the final total before payment.

Non-Refundability Policy

The Booking Fee is generally non-refundable.

If you choose to cancel your booking or fail to attend, the Booking Fee will be retained to cover the administrative costs already incurred.

Exceptions: A full refund (including the Booking Fee) will only be issued by Tropical Birdland if the event/service is cancelled entirely by the park or if they are unable to fulfil the contract due to a technical error or operational closure.

Exchanges and Amendments

Should you request a change to your booking date or time, a separate Administrative Amendment Fee may apply.

Any difference in ticket price for the new date must also be paid at the time of the change.

Exemption from Cooling-Off Period

eisure activities booked for a specific date (such as park entry or scheduled bird encounters) are exempt from the standard 14-day "cooling-off" period under UK consumer law. Once the booking is confirmed, no automatic right to a refund of the Booking Fee exists.

Third-Party Bookings

Bookings made via third-party agents are subject to the specific transaction fee policies of that provider, which may differ from those of Tropical Birdland.

Online Gift Vouchers

Gift Day Vouchers can only be used for their stated purpose at Tropical Birdland.

They can only be redeemed against online pre-purchased Day Tickets.

They cannot be redeemed or exchanged for cash and is non-refundable.

No change can be given for goods costing less than the voucher value.

Tropical Birdland reserves the right to amend these terms at any time and to refuse to accept any gift voucher that it reasonably suspects has been stolen, tampered with, duplicated or obtained in any other illegal way.

Animal Experiences

Booking and Payment

Tropical Birdland Animal Experiences MUST be pre-booked, and we recommend booking well in advance to avoid disappointment.

All bookings must be made through our official website or authorised agents and will be available on selected dates according to availability. Places are booked on a first-come, first-served basis. Please do not assume your experience is booked until you have received your booking confirmation from us.

Full payment is required at the time of booking to secure your spot.

Upon successful booking, a confirmation email will be sent to you with all necessary details.

When the duration of the Experience is mentioned/advertised, this is an approximate indication and may differ or alter slightly on the day of your booked experience.

Experiences must be booked and taken within 12 months of purchase. Extension fees will apply.

Cancellations and Refunds

All Animal Experiences are strictly non-refundable or transferable.

Under exceptional circumstances and at Tropical Birdland’s discretion, the date of the experience can be changed. Changes are subject to availability, can only be done once and will incur an administration fee.

Exceptional circumstances include serious ill health, bereavement and pregnancy, jury service, mechanical breakdown, or severe travel delays (documented proof may be required). They do not include holidays or other non-emergency commitments.

Cancellations made on the day will result in the loss of the experience with no refunds/rebooking allowed.

Tropical Birdland reserves the right to change or cancel any booked experience for reasons such as extreme/severe weather conditions or animal welfare. Under these circumstances, we will endeavour to notify you as soon as possible, and an option to reschedule will be provided. Tropical Birdland cannot cover travel, accommodation, or any other associated costs if the scheduled date is cancelled.

Participation Requirements

All Animal Experiences are suitable for 5 years and over; however:-

Children aged 5 to 10 years must be accompanied by a participating adult aged 16 years or over.

Children aged 11 to 15 years must be accompanied by an adult aged 16 years or over who holds a valid entrance ticket or holds a valid Tropical Birdland membership. The adult is required to be on-site during the experience, sign in children under their supervision and view from the spectator area.

Experiences include entry to Tropical Birdland, and you are welcome to spend the rest of your day in our park, enjoying our birds and animals once your experience has finished.

Additional (non-participating) guests will require a valid day ticket, which can be purchased at the gate on the day from October to June, or pre-purchased online through our website from July to September. Please note, during August, entry is by pre-purchased online E-ticket only.

Unfortunately, late arrivals will result in a shorter experience.

All Animal Experiences run daily (7 days a week) :-

Meerkat Experience will run in 30-minute sessions at 9.30am, 12pm and 2.30pm
Alpaca Experience will run in 45-minute sessions at 11am and 1.30pm
Step into the Wild Experience will run in 45-minute sessions at 10.15am and 3.15pm
Miniature Donkey will run in 45-minute sessions at 9.30am and 12.30pm

Please arrive 10 minutes prior to your start time.

Each Animal Experience session will accommodate a set maximum number of people:-

Meerkat Experience maximum of 3 people
Alpaca Experience maximum of 6 people
Step into the Wild Experience maximum of 3 people
Miniature Donkey Experience maximum of 4 people

At all times, all participants are required to follow the instructions of the staff.

Unfortunately, due to some of our experiences involving the possibility of crouching down and sitting on logs to feed and interact with the animals, individuals in wheelchairs or with limited mobility will not be able to participate in these experiences. They are still welcome to view from the spectator area.

We hope all visitors have the opportunity to engage in animal experiences; however, it may not always be possible to make the specific adjustments needed to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. In such cases, we reserve the right to cancel and refund the experience on the day if we believe it would be unsafe for the participant(s) to participate. Regrettably, certain guests may be unable to participate in our experiences if they have any relevant phobias or known allergies, are pregnant or are immunocompromised individuals.

All our animals on the experiences have been hand-reared and enjoy human interaction; however, participants must acknowledge that sometimes the animals may not want to participate fully, and Tropical Birdland cannot therefore guarantee that our animals will interact with participants.

Health and Safety

A valid, up-to-date Tetanus vaccination is advisable, although not compulsory.

Participants should be in good health and free from any conditions that may be aggravated by participating in the experience.

Please inform the staff of any allergies or medical conditions before participating.

Please cover any existing cuts and abrasions on exposed skin with waterproof dressings and the disposable gloves provided.

Personal protective equipment will be provided and must be worn as directed.

Smoking (including e-cigarettes), vaping cannabis, the use of illegal substances and/or legal highs is strictly prohibited within Tropical Birdland grounds and around any of the animals or birds.

Eating and drinking are only allowed in the designated eating areas.

Do not eat any of the food intended for the animals.

Hands should be washed after experiences have finished and before touching any other animal or bird at Tropical Birdland. Hands should also be washed before eating or drinking and before leaving Tropical Birdland.

You must not enter any animal enclosure without specific instructions from the zoo keeper and without the zoo keeper being present.

Please be aware that contact with any animal can present a health and safety risk. Tropical Birdland will endeavour to mitigate any risks by implementing measures, such as selecting the most suitable animals and providing keeper support. However, please be advised that injuries can be sustained when participating in animal experiences.

In the unlikely event that an injury does occur, trained staff will manage the situation and will seek first aid assistance from our qualified first aiders where necessary.

Any accident or injury should be reported to the zoo keeper immediately so that appropriate action can be taken and first aid provided.

In the event of an emergency, follow the instructions of the zoo keeper. If you become separated, leave the area by the nearest exit and head straight to the assembly point in the main car park.

The welfare of the animals in our care is our top priority, and our expert keepers reserve the right to adjust the experience or postpone should they deem necessary.

Liability

Tropical Birdland is not liable for any personal injury, loss, or damage to personal property during the experience.

All participants are ultimately responsible for their safety and all their personal belongings, including equipment carried with them.

Participants are responsible for their actions and must always comply with safety guidelines.

Participants are required to sign a waiver/disclosure form that states they agree to the terms and conditions set out in this document. Failure to sign the waiver will result in the experience being cancelled with no refund given.

Photography and Media

Photography is permitted during the experience, but flash photography is prohibited as it may distress the animals.

Participants consent to the use of any photographs or videos taken during the experience for promotional purposes by Tropical Birdland.

Code of Conduct

Respect the animals and their habitat. Do not feed, touch, or provoke the animals unless instructed by staff.

Maintain a respectful attitude towards other participants and staff.

Follow all posted rules and guidelines throughout the experience.

Tropical Birdland reserve the right to remove any participant who behaves in an inappropriate or unsafe manner or poses a threat to the safety of the animals or other guests. No refund shall be given.

Christmas Events

Admission to our Christmas events is by pre-booked E-tickets only. E-tickets are available to purchase via our official website in conjunction with our ticket provider.

Entry is permitted only with a valid ticket. Tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable except where required by law.

Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

The zoo reserves the right to refuse admission or remove any visitor for breach of these terms, or for behaviour deemed unsafe or inappropriate.

Tickets are available in E-ticket format and can be presented on your device or printed at home. All tickets must be shown at the entrance for scanning.

Tickets are booked for a specific Time Slot, which is the time allocated for your visit to Santa’s Grotto. Visitors are welcome to attend the event at any time from the event’s opening. Full details will be available on the Tropical Birdland website closer to the event start date.

If you arrive later than your booked time slot, then your entrance may not be guaranteed, and no refunds will be given.

All tickets are non-refundable and cannot be exchanged for another date or time. No tickets are permitted for resale to any third party. Any tickets which have been altered in any way will be void.

For the purposes of ticket purchases, the following definitions which are used for our Christmas events are:

For Winter Wonderland events:

General Admission means a person who is aged from 2 years old and over who is attending the event but not receiving a present from Santa.
Child with Santa visit means a child aged 0 years and over who will be seeing Santa and receiving a present.

For Daytime with Santa events:

General Admission Adult means a person aged from 16 years to 59 years inclusive.
Child with Santa visit means a child aged 0 years and over who will be seeing Santa and receiving a present.
General Admission Child means a person aged 2 years to 15 years who is entering Tropical Birdland Daytime event but is not receiving a present from Santa. Children under the age of 16 years must be accompanied by a responsible person over the age of 18 years.
General Admission Senior means a person aged 60 years and over.
General Admission Carer means a person who accompanies a disabled person for the purpose of providing them necessary support and assistance with accessibility to Tropical Birdland.

School / Group visits

Bookings are provisional until you have received a full confirmation email from a member of the Tropical Birdland team. On receiving a booking confirmation email you agree and accept to abide by the rules and regulations of the zoo.

Bookings must be made directly by the school or organisation making the visit. Bookings via third parties will not be accepted.

Schools and other groups are fully responsible for ensuring they are up-to-date and compliant with current government guidance, including the ratios for leaders to students.

The group leader is responsible for the behaviour, welfare and management of the whole group whilst visiting the zoo.

If there are students with complex needs, the group leaders are required to notify Tropical Birdland staff at the point of booking so any needs can be discussed.

Familiarisation/tester visits can be arranged by contacting Tropical Birdland in advance and must be booked in advance. The group leader will gain entry free of charge, but any extra leaders will be charged the full adult price when visiting.

School group leaders are responsible for the following:

Obtaining full parental consent for the visit.
The behaviour, welfare and management of the group.
Designating appropriate group leaders to lead and supervise groups around the gardens and then to supervise for any bird handling alongside Tropical Birdland staff.
Completion of a risk assessment for their group.
Providing adequate supervision ratios at all times.

Some overcover areas may be provided for bag storage/lunch space; this can be discussed with Tropical Birdland staff. Tropical Birdland will not accept any responsibility for items stored.

Payment is not required until after the visit has taken place; an invoice will be raised by Tropical Birdland staff for payment once final numbers are confirmed.

All cancellations must be made by writing to info@tropicalbirdland.co.uk

If Tropical Birdland has to cancel the event, every effort will be made to offer an alternative visit where possible.

Opening Hours

The zoo’s opening hours are displayed at the entrance and on our official website. The zoo may close temporarily or alter opening times without prior notice for safety, maintenance, or special events.

Photography and Filming

Personal photography and filming are permitted for non-commercial use only. No flash photography near animals.

Commercial photography, filming, or media activities require prior written consent from zoo management.

Facilities and Accessibility

The zoo strives to provide accessible facilities for all visitors. Please refer to our website or contact staff for information on accessibility.

Some areas may be temporarily closed for maintenance or animal welfare reasons.

Lost Property

The zoo is not responsible for loss, theft, or damage to personal belongings.

Found items should be handed in to the nearest staff member or at the information desk.

Liability

Visitors enter the zoo at their own risk. Tropical Birdland offers aspects of interaction with birds/animals and as such accepts no liability for injuries or accidents which may arise from these interactions.

Parents and guardians are responsible for the supervision and safety of their children at all times.