Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Roller coasters and African animals in Tampa
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is a large theme park and animal park in Tampa, on the west coast of Florida. You'll find some of the most thrilling roller coasters in the state alongside giraffes, rhinos and lions. It's a popular day trip from Orlando, partly because there's a free bus.
What is Busch Gardens Tampa Bay?
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is a United Parks & Resorts park, the same company as SeaWorld. It covers around 300 acres (about 120 hectares) and, according to the park, has more than 50 rides, shows and experiences. The theme is Africa: you walk through areas such as Morocco, Egypt, Nairobi, Congo, Stanleyville, Pantopia and Jungala.
Busch Gardens is also an accredited zoo with more than 200 animal species. The heart of the park is the 65-acre (about 26-hectare) Serengeti Plain, where herds of African animals roam freely. New is Lion & Hyena Ridge in Edge of Africa. Next to the park is the Adventure Island water park, which is only open in season. From 13 November 2026 to 4 January 2027 the park turns into Christmas Town on selected evenings.
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For daredevils: the highlights
Busch Gardens is known for its roller coasters. The highlights, with the minimum height as given by the park:
- Iron Gwazi: a hybrid wood and steel roller coaster: from a 63-metre peak you dive down at a 91-degree angle, reaching up to 122 km/h. From 122 cm (48 inches).
- SheiKra: you hang motionless for a moment above a vertical 61-metre drop and finish with a splash. From 137 cm (54 inches).
- Montu: an inverted coaster with seven inversions. From 137 cm.
- Cheetah Hunt: three launches and, at 1,341 metres, the park's longest thrill ride. From 122 cm.
- Tigris: launches forwards and backwards, with loops and deep drops. From 137 cm.
- Falcon's Fury: a 102-metre free-fall tower in which your seat tilts and you fall face down. From 137 cm.
- Serengeti Flyer: a giant swing up to 41 metres high, according to the park the tallest and fastest of its kind. From 122 cm.
- Cobra's Curse: a family coaster with cars that spin at random. Alone from 122 cm, from 107 cm with an accompanying adult.
Animals and safaris
From the Serengeti Express train, with no height requirement, you can see the free-roaming herds on the Serengeti Plain. On the family coaster Phoenix Rising (from 107 cm) you fly over them. If you want to get closer, book the Serengeti Safari: a tour across the plain in an open vehicle.
In Lion & Hyena Ridge you look through large windows at what the park says is the largest pride of lions in an accredited zoo in the US, next to spotted hyenas. There are also short paid encounters, such as feeding Aldabra giant tortoises (from $ 19.99, as of November 2026). In the animal show Animal Tales you learn more about the park's animals, and in Rhythm of Nature you can see a show on ice.
With children
In Sesame Street Safari of Fun children play with Elmo, Cookie Monster and their other Sesame Street friends. There are small rides, water fun and a story time with the characters. The children's coaster Air Grover is from 97 cm (38 inches); children ride alone or with a parent.
In Jungala you'll find Wild Oasis, a rainforest-style play area with a climbing course, water play areas and the 11-metre Treetop Drop tower (from 107 cm only). The Pantopia play area has the Grand Caravan Carousel. Gwazi Gliders is a small flying ride for children up to 142 cm. Phoenix Rising, Cobra's Curse and Congo River Rapids are also suitable for families.
Opening times:
Opening times vary by day and by season. In mid-November, for example, the park is open from 10 am to 9 pm.
Tickets:
A day ticket costs $ 150.99 plus tax online (regular price, as of November 2026). It is often cheaper during a promotion. Children aged 2 and under do not need a ticket.
Location:
10165 N McKinley Dr, Tampa, FL 33612, about 13 km north-east of downtown Tampa. Parking costs from $ 32 plus tax (as of November 2026).
Food, shops and accommodation
You'll find restaurants all over the park. At Zambia Smokehouse you can eat barbecue, Dragon Fire Grill & Pub has an extensive menu, and at BG Cuban Café and the new The Wild Tortilla you can try Cuban and Mexican dishes. Other options include Zagora Café, Oasis Pizza, SheiKra Eats and Chick-fil-A (closed on Sundays). At the Giraffe Bar you can have a drink overlooking the Serengeti. With the All-Day Dining Deal you eat all day at seven restaurants for one fixed price. You can buy souvenirs in the shops in the various areas.
Busch Gardens has no hotels of its own. The park sells hotel packages with partner hotels in Tampa, for example with free dining or free admission for a child. There's also a package with unlimited admission to Busch Gardens and SeaWorld Orlando during your stay.
Travelling to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Most Dutch and Belgian visitors combine Busch Gardens with a holiday in Orlando. From the Netherlands and Belgium you fly to Orlando International Airport (MCO); for the US you need an ESTA. You can also fly to Tampa International Airport (TPA), about 30 minutes from Busch Gardens according to the park.
By car you drive west from Orlando on the I-4 and then north on the I-75 to exit 265 (Fowler Avenue). According to the park, it takes about an hour from Orlando; with traffic and depending on where you start, the journey often takes one to one and a half hours. The park has almost 5,000 parking spaces.
Without a car, take the Busch Gardens Shuttle Express: a free bus from four locations in Orlando, from Universal Drive to south of SeaWorld. You need a Busch Gardens ticket and book in advance with a credit card. According to the park, the bus arrives between 10.30 and 11 am and leaves for the return journey half an hour after closing time.
Book the bus in good time
Seats on the free bus from Orlando are limited. Book as soon as you know which day you're going.
Combine with SeaWorld
With the SeaWorld and Busch Gardens ticket you visit both parks within six months of purchase, for $ 236 in total (regular price, as of November 2026).
Bring dry clothes
You'll get wet on Congo River Rapids and SheiKra. So will anyone watching SheiKra. A towel soon comes in handy in the Florida sun.
More nearby
Below you'll find the current waiting times and hotels in Tampa. Or read our guides to SeaWorld Orlando and the other theme parks in Orlando.