Florida's Busch Gardens Africa

Located in 335 acres of land, the Busch Gardens Africa is an African-themed fun park that features a number of wild life exhibits. This 19th century modern safari is located in Tampa, Florida.

The Busch Gardens Africa opened in March 31, 1959 and served as a hospitality facility, free of admission, for the local brewery called the Tampa Anheuser-Busch. Visitors of the theme park can see animal acts set in a tropical environment and even enter the beer garden where free Busch beers are offered to enjoy.

However, the manufacturing plant shut down some years later and the Busch Gardens focused more and more on its exotic animals, tropical landscape and amusement attractions to attract visitors. Since then, the Busch Gardens began charging admission fees and extra charges for their rides, including their famous roller coasters. Presently, the Busch Gardens Africa charges comparable fees with other theme parks found in Florida.

Wildlife Exhibits

The Serengeti Plain of the Busch Gardens Africa opened in 1965 and is the first of its kind to exhibit animals freely roaming the environment. The animal habitat is home to a number of wild animals including the bongo, addax, reticulated giraffe, impala, marabou stork, ostrich, Grevy's zebra, eland, addra gazelle, sacred ibis and the East African crowned crane.

Another exhibit the park has is the Edge of Africa, which opened in 1997. This is a walkthrough attraction where guests can observe several African wild animals. Animals in the exhibit include a pack of hyenas, a troop of lemurs, a pride of lions, meerkats and a few hippos.

The Curiosity Caverns is another attraction of the park that features animals, such as: porcupines, bats, sugar gliders, snakes and lizards. This cavern exhibit is also formerly known as the Nocturnal Mountain.

Lastly, guests can view chimpanzees and lowland gorillas at the Myombe Reserve. The exhibit is located on 3 acres of land at the Nairobi area of the Busch Gardens Africa.

Areas of the Busch Gardens Africa

The Busch Gardens Africa is divided into several areas that are individually and uniquely themed. Such areas include the Bird Gardens, Morocco, Stanleyville, Congo, Land of the Dragons, Nairobi and Crown Colony, to name a few.

The Bird Gardens is the original area of the park that opened in 1959. The Bird Gardens contains a major attraction called the Gwazi. In addition, the area is also used as a place for bird shows, which include a number of mammals.

The Morocco is located at the main entrance of the Busch Gardens Africa. The area is home to Morocco's Mystic Shieks percussion and brass ensemble. Guests can purchase treats at the area's Zagora Caf and Sultan's Sweets. The area also features the Moroccan Palace and an outdoor Marrakesh Theater.

The area where guests can find the park's water slides and the roller coaster SheiKra is at the Stanleyville. Attractions and rides at the area include the Stanley Falls Flume, Tanganyika Tidal Wave and the SheiKra.