Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is a 335-acre (136 ha) theme park located in Tampa, Florida, owned and operated by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. The park, which opened in 1959 adjacent to a Anheuser-Busch brewery, originally showcased exotic birds and animals before evolving into a major amusement park renowned for its roller coasters and extensive zoological collection. It is themed to various regions of Africa, featuring detailed architecture, live entertainment, and one of North America's largest collections of free-roaming African wildlife.

History

The park originated in 1959 as the Anheuser-Busch brewery's hospitality garden, where visitors could view the company's famed Clydesdale horses and a small collection of exotic birds. By 1965, the addition of a monorail and more animals led to its official opening as a public attraction, initially named the Busch Bird Park. It was rebranded as "Busch Gardens: The Dark Continent" in the 1970s, expanding with themed areas like the Moroccan-inspired Marrakesh and the Congo section. Major developments included the 1976 opening of the Python roller coaster and the 1990 introduction of the Kumba coaster, solidifying its reputation for thrill rides. Following the 2009 acquisition of Anheuser-Busch's parks division by The Blackstone Group, the park became part of the SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment portfolio.

Attractions

The park is divided into several themed areas, including the Congo, Egypt, Nairobi, Serengeti Plain, and Pantopia, each featuring distinct rides and atmospheres. It is internationally recognized for its collection of high-thrill roller coasters, such as the SheiKra dive coaster, the Montu inverted coaster, and the hybrid Iron Gwazi, one of the world's tallest and fastest hybrid coasters. Other notable attractions include the Falcon's Fury drop tower, the Cheetah Hunt launched coaster, and the classic Scorpion coaster. Family-friendly rides are plentiful, including the Congo River Rapids river rafting ride, the Stanleyville log flume, and the Air Grover children's coaster.

Animal exhibits

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay operates as an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and maintains a significant zoological collection. The expansive Serengeti Plain is a 65-acre savanna habitat where herds of giraffe, zebra, antelope, and rhinoceros roam freely, viewable via the Serengeti Express railway or the Skyride aerial tramway. The Edge of Africa section allows close encounters with species like lions, meerkats, and hippos, while the Jambo Junction area features animal ambassadors and a kangaroo walkthrough. The park's Conservation and Animal Care center highlights its involvement in global species survival plans and veterinary sciences.

Events and entertainment

Seasonal events form a major part of the park's calendar, including the Howl-O-Scream Halloween event featuring haunted houses and scare zones, and the Christmas Town holiday celebration with festive shows and lights. Year-round live performances are held in venues like the Moroccan-style Theater of the Sun, featuring productions such as the Iceploration ice-skating show. The park also hosts culinary events like the Food & Wine Festival, and daily animal presentations, including the Turn It Up! show at the Dragon Fire Grill and keeper talks throughout the animal habitats.

Park information

The park is open year-round, with varying hours and special ticketing options such as single-day passes, annual memberships, and the Fun Card. It is accessible via the TECO Line Streetcar and local Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) bus services. Guest services include stroller and wheelchair rentals, locker facilities, and a Quick Queue line-skipping system. Dining options range from quick-service locations like the Zambia Smokehouse to full-service restaurants such as the Crown Colony House, and the park features numerous retail shops offering themed merchandise.