Visitors to Florida often come to enjoy the Florida beaches, Florida golf courses, and the famed Florida theme parks.  While vacationing in and around Tampa or St. Petersburg, family fun gets a unique boost at Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay.  Busch Gardens Tampa is an African-themed adventure park that surely offers something for everybody.  Animal attractions include rhinos and giraffes, and you can even take in the exploits of a group of bumbling pirates with a show that features the comedic genius of Leslie Nielsen.  At Busch Gardens Tampa, roller coaster enthusiasts will want to ride the Gwazi mammoth wooden roller coaster over and over.  It’s the largest and fastest wooden roller coaster in the southeast.  The Gwazi Lion will dazzle you with its series of seemingly never ending spirals, and the Gwazi Tiger gives you a bobsled feel along its slalom-like ride.  At the Clydesdale Hamlet, visit the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales, and meet Sprint the Donkey, who gained fame and notoriety in a series of Super Bowl television ads that depicted his endeavors to become part of the Clydesdale team.

Busch Gardens Tampa features exciting rides and enough roller coasters to satisfy your need for speed, and fulfill your desire to drop.  A popular family coaster is the Cheetah Chase, where you rise up to 5 stories and experience sharp turns and crazy curves through the exotic Timbuktu setting.  For a real thrill, head to Montu, one of the tallest inverted coasters on the planet.  Its speeds reach over 60 miles per hour, and you’ll fight to keep lunch down with its G-force of 3.85.  Scorpion also takes you through the Timbuktu village with dazzling drops and loops, and Kumba will excite you with its initial 135-foot drop and one of the world’s largest vertical loops.  If the heat is getting to you, take your group or family over to the Congo River Rapids.  Cruise the swift waters on a 12-person raft, and satisfy your need to get soaked on the Tanganyika Tidal Wave, where a tranquil jungle trip on a 20-person boat ends in a 55-foot drop that is sure to be refreshing, to say the least.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay gets you in touch with Africa through its wonderful animal exhibits.  Bird lovers will relish in the Bird Gardens, where almost 500 tropical birds from around the globe can be found.  At Birds of Prey, continue your aviation adventure while observing eagles, free-flying falcons, and other raptors.  For “The most intense wildlife experience outside of Africa”, make way towards the Edge of Africa exhibit, where you can take a self-guided tour through scenic habitats featuring hippos, hyenas, meerkats, vultures, a Nile crocodile, baboons and more.  For more safari-like adventures, hitch a ride at Rhino Rally, for up-close viewing of these amazing creatures, and pick one of the mode’s of transportation through the Serengeti Plain, where naturalistic environments with lush vegetation and rolling landscapes hold hundreds of exotic African animals.  Round out your animal experience at the Myombe Reserve where misty environs and waterfalls recreate the natural habitat of the exhibit’s gorillas and chimps.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is open year round, and hours of operation vary quite often, even within the same month.  Generally, the park opens at 9:00 a.m. and closes around 9-10 p.m. from May-summer.  During the other months, Busch Gardens Tampa closes a bit earlier.  There is an on-site kennel for those bringing a dog to the park, but remember to bring vaccination and immunization records and a blanket for their comfort.  And, you are required to walk your dog from time to time throughout the day.  For dining options, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay strives to offer quality menu’s through its six main restaurants.  And, you can find numerous small snack and treat booths throughout the park.  A handful of shows at Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay include Pirates 4D, Friends Forever, KaTonga, Mirage Canteen, and the Mystic Sheiks of Morocco.  Various ticket options exist for your upcoming Busch Gardens Tampa Bay experience, and Florida residents receive additional consideration.  State residents can get two days for the price of one at $61.95/adults and $51.95/kids.  Or, Floridians can buy a Funcard for $66.95/adults and $56.95/kids, that allows unlimited access through the end of the year.  For $85/all ages, Florida residents can enjoy one day at Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay, and one day at SeaWorld Orlando.  Out of state residents might opt for the overall best value of the 2-Park Unlimited Admissions Ticket, which for $85/all ages gives you unlimited access during your Florida vacation to Busch Gardens Tampa and SeaWorld Orlando, with free daily rountrip transportation from Orlando to Busch Gardens.  Other ticket savings for combination to Discovery Cove in Orlando, and Adventure Island in Orlando can be arranged.  Available online or with select marked Pepsi Cans, adults can pay $51.95 if they buy 7 or more days in advance with the Be A Kid Again at Busch Gardens ticket.  Additional fees are required for the “Up Close Tours”, such as Serengeti Safari, where you can feed giraffes.