Spend the day at Busch Gardens

Busch Gardens is a fantastic family day out. It is a 300 acre African themed park that has something for all ages, including thrill rides, live entertainment, animal shows and exhibits, shops, restaurants and games. There are over 3000 animals in seven distinctly themed sections.

Busch Gardens is about 6 miles from Tampa and 75 minutes drive from the Orlando area. The family centre began about 30 years ago as a bird house for Anheuser-Busch’s Tampa Brewery. Today, it is recognised as one of America’s top zoos with the added attraction of rides like the African Queen boat cruise and the Scorpion and Python roller coasters. You need to try both but make sure you have your sea legs on!

The centre also fosters the propagation and conservation of a variety of species, particularly those which are endangered. Four out of five Asian elephants born in captivity in North America have been born at Busch Gardens. There is a special nursery for newborn animals with large viewing windows for park guests to stand and watch these miracle animals.

Guests enter the park via the Morocco section where artisans can be watched at work, and their wares examined. Designed to resemble a typical walled Moroccan city, with elaborate tile work, snake charmers and belly dancers, this section offers several shows; such as the fantastic ice show, are performed in the 1, 200 seat Moroccan Palace Theatre.

The next section is Nairobi, home to the animal nursery, the Nairobi Train Station, a petting zoo and Nocturnal Mountain – a display of night creatures in a ‘night time’ setting so visitors may view their natural behaviour. Part of this section of the park is a one acre elephant exhibit, a simulated version of the animals’ natural habitat amid rock formations, greenery, waterfalls and a swimming hole. Elephant rides are available.

Serengeti Plain may be viewed from the monorail, sky ride, steam locomotive or west promenade. Over 500 head of African game roam freely on this veldt like plain including impala, giraffes and zebras. Display areas accommodate the elephants, Nile crocodiles, camels, flamingos and ostriches.

Timbuktu features thrilling rides – looping roller coasters, a boat swing ride and the Carousel Caravan with camels and Arabian steeds. This section also features dolphin shows, a shopping bazaar, an electric games arcade and a German themed dining and entertainment complex.

Past this quarter lies the Congo, one of the most action packed sections of the park. This is where you can take a white water raft ride, the Monstrous Mamba or Swinging Vines rides. A unique feature here is Claw Island, displaying rare white tigers in a natural habitat.

In lively Stanleyville, visitors can browse through African crafts, watch a variety show, take a log flume ride or the cruise boat ride and observe free flying birds, watch the antics of the cockatoos in the Bird Gardens Theatre, see Eagle Canyon, where flightless golden and American bald eagles reside, or take the children to the play area. Parents could complete their time at Busch at the brewery, where complimentary beer is served.

Crown Island, an ‘Out of Africa’ themed area with plantation house and colonial restaurant is a good place to relax and have a bite to eat.

One entrance fee pays for all the park’s activities. A great day out! ! !