It is an exciting amusement park. It is a zoo. It is a botanical garden. There are three parks in one!
A little out of the way from the Orlando theme park nexus, it’s worth the hour-long drive to Busch Gardens Tampa. The African theme park features some world-class thrill machines, including the highly regarded Montu inverted roller coaster and the wonderful floorless diving roller coaster, SheiKra, one of the best steel roller coasters in the world.
The park lacks the super-duper E-Ticket attractions found at Disney and Universal. But it does offer some great shows, some mind-blowing garden displays, and a collection of African animals that provides a wonderful atmosphere and really sets the park apart.
Be sure to allow time to explore the animals. The orangutan and tiger exhibits at Jungala offer some fabulous up-close experiences. And the Edge of Africa exhibit, which borders the 65-acre Serengeti Plain, allows guests to view animals such as lions, meerkats, rhinos and giraffes in natural habitats. For a special treat (and an additional fee), consider the Serengeti Safari Tours, which take passengers aboard open trucks out onto the Serengeti Plain for up-close and personal interaction with the animals.
Dinner at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is a notch higher than typical theme park fare. Favorites include the Desert Grill, which offers live entertainment alongside fare, and the Zambia Smokehouse for delicious barbecue. Busch Gardens’ full-service restaurant, Crown Colony, serves family-style meals and offers stunning views of animals on the Serengeti Plain.
Featured attractions
- Cheetah Hunt – A wonderful thrown roller coaster that simulates a stalking cheetah. Along with Montu, Kumba, and SheiKra, it’s one of the best roller coasters in Florida.
- Montu, one of the best inverted roller coasters in the world
- Kumba steel multi-element coaster
- SheiKra, a floorless roller coaster – among the best steel roller coasters anywhere
- Serengeti Plain with free roaming animals
- Safari experience to the edge of Africa
- Land of Jungala with animal exhibits, rides and playground
Location, hours of operation and telephone
Tampa, Florida
Busch Gardens is open year round. Days and hours of operation vary. Visit the park website for more information.
1-888-800-5447
Admission information
For the latest ticket discounts and specials, shop directly at Busch Gardens and SeaWorld.
General admission includes access to all animal exhibits, shows, rides, and attractions. Admission to the nearby Adventure Island water park requires a separate ticket. Discount combination passes for both parks are available. There is a discount for children. Busch Gardens also offers a discount for passes purchased in advance online on its website. The park frequently offers deals like two days for the price of one ticket or buy one day and get a season pass. Check with Busch Gardens for current specials.
Busch Entertainment also offers multi-park ticket deals to its Florida attractions, including Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, SeaWorld Orlando, Discovery Cove, and Aquatica Water Park.
If you plan to visit other parks, consider getting an included and discounted ticket that includes admission to SeaWorld and Busch Gardens. Bus transportation between the two parks is free for ticket holders. Or you may want to get the Orlando FlexTicket, which features 14 days of unlimited admission to 6 parks, including the two Universal parks, SeaWorld, Wet ‘n Wild, and Aquatica, as well as Busch Gardens. Also includes bus transportation between Tampa and Orlando. It’s a good deal if you can visit all six parks.
Special tours and programs
For additional fees on top of the cost of general admission, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay offers a number of in-depth tours and programs, including a Serengeti Safari Tour that takes guests by trucks into the open air for up-close and personal interactions with the animals. on the Serengeti Plain of the park’s 65 acres. It also offers guided tours, some of which offer first-line access to the main attractions. Advance reservations are recommended for tours.
Arriving at the park
With any paid ticket, a free daily shuttle bus service between Busch Gardens Tampa and Orlando area hotels is offered through Mears Destination Services.
Addresses
From Orlando:
I-4W to I-75N. Make sure to head NORTH (even if it sounds counterintuitive!) On I-75 to the Fowler Ave # 265 exit. Turn left off the exit ramp onto Fowler Avenue. Left on McKinley (after the University of South Florida) to the park.
Nearby water park
Adventure Island is operated by Busch Entertainment and is across the street from Busch Gardens. Requires a separate admission ticket.
Festive event
Christmas village
Halloween event
Howl-O-Scream
Official Web site
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Online
