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Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryAmusement park
FoundedMarch 31, 1959; 67 years ago (1959-03-31) in Tampa, Florida, United States
FounderAnheuser-Busch
Headquarters
Tampa
,
United States
Area served
Florida, United States
OwnerUnited Parks & Resorts
Websitebuschgardens.com/tampa/

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is an animal theme park situated in Tampa, Florida, designed with an African theme. Owned by United Parks & Resorts, the park commenced operations on March 31, 1959. It attracts over 4 million visitors annually, making it the second most frequented property under United Parks & Resorts, following SeaWorld Orlando.

The park features a variety of roller coasters and high-adrenaline rides, such as the Dive Coaster SheiKra, the family-friendly Cheetah Hunt, the launched coaster Tigris, the classic steel coaster Kumba, and the hybrid wood-steel hypercoaster Iron Gwazi. Additional notable attractions include Falcon's Fury, which is North America's second tallest free-standing drop tower with a distinctive tilting mechanism; Montu, formerly recognized as the world’s tallest and fastest inverted coaster; and Phoenix Rising, the continent’s longest and tallest family inverted coaster. The park also provides entertainment options for children under nine years old and features one water-based ride—a river rafting experience.

1957–1959: Origins of Busch Brewery and Gardens

In April 1957, Anheuser-Busch evaluated potential Florida locations in Tampa and Jacksonville for constructing a brewery. By July of the same year, the company acquired a 160-acre site in Tampa for $320,000 to develop a $20 million brewery facility, coinciding with competitor Schlitz establishing a nearby plant. August Busch Jr. envisioned incorporating gardens to engage the local community and augment the company's appeal.

Construction began in March 1958 and proceeded into early 1959. The brewery commenced operations on March 12, 1959, with an official dedication ceremony held on March 31 led by August Busch Jr., which was attended by roughly 2,000 guests including members of the press and local dignitaries. Public tours were launched on June 1 as a complimentary attraction.

Busch Gardens debuted on a 15-acre parcel adjacent to the brewery at an approximate cost of $500,000. The area was extensively landscaped with about 36,000 flowering plants and 300 trees. Early features included a bird show housed in a 200-seat amphitheater, a flamingo habitat, an animal area known as "Devil's Island," along with enclosures for eagles and cockatoos. Additional elements comprised a dwarf village and the "Hospitality House," where complimentary beer samples were offered. An extra 118 acres east of the brewery accommodated the Budweiser Clydesdales along with planned exhibits for buffalo, ostriches, and zebras. This original section eventually became known as the "Bird Gardens."

1959–1968: Expansion and Introduction of African Veldt

In July 1959, Anheuser-Busch announced plans for a $5 million expansion of its Tampa operations due to increasing success. Early in 1960, construction started on a $75,000 geodesic dome named the Adolphus Busch Space Frame, featuring anodized gold aluminum panels, landscaped surroundings, suspended bird nests, and ponds linked to an external lagoon. This dome opened in March 1960 north of the bird amphitheater.

By October 1960, plans were unveiled for the Stairway to the Stars attraction—an 86-foot Otis escalator ascending to the brewery roof. Opening in March 1961, this attraction included a 5,000-square-foot pool initially housing penguins, a 1,000-square-foot observation deck, and a raised walkway extending 150 feet to Busch Gardens.

In May 1962, Anheuser-Busch acquired additional land and announced a $3.5 to $4 million expansion of Busch Gardens aimed at accommodating expected visitor growth. The development introduced themed areas such as the African veldt and American Plains featuring corresponding animal habitats and a railway system. By October of that year, approximately 1,000 birds resided within the park.

Plans formulated in early 1963 included installing a monorail through the African veldt and constructing a four-story Swiss-themed restaurant east of the brewery. Another land acquisition took place in April 1964. Thomas J. Pinta was appointed manager in July that year. Additionally, a trackless transportation train connecting Busch Gardens with Old Swiss House was completed by October.

The Wild Animal Kingdom African veldt opened in 1965 showcasing authentic habitats for animals including cheetahs, chimpanzees, elephants, gorillas, lions, and rhinos. A clock tower was erected near Old Swiss House during this period. By November, further land east of existing property was acquired; combined acreage for gardens and brewery reached about 208 acres with total holdings around 268 acres.

In 1966, a trackless transportation train was built to ferry guests from a newly established parking lot; parking fees were introduced that August to help offset costs amid rising attendance. The Skyrail monorail debuted in September—a 7,000-foot Arrow Development system traversing over the African veldt as an extra-cost attraction priced at $1 for adults and 40 cents for children. By late 1966, roughly 475 animals inhabited the African veldt area. A snack bar addition was made to the parking lot in 1967.

1969–1975: Expansion of Boma and Themed Zones

In March 1969, Anheuser-Busch unveiled plans for a $1 million expansion of its zoo, called "Boma," spanning 2.5 acres situated between the brewery and the monorail. This initiative aimed to enhance both the brewery and park operations. Leadership shifted in May 1969 when Franklin H. Rust succeeded Pinta as manager, though Rust stepped down by February 1970. With Disney World's development nearby, Anheuser-Busch sought to broaden animal habitats to sustain its share of tourist visits. The Tampa site was considered the company’s premier entertainment venue.

During a June 1970 preview of Boma, Anheuser-Busch announced a $12.6 million investment planned over ten years. This included an amphitheater accommodating 1,000 guests, an African veldt observation platform known as "tree tops," a locomotive train, and a log flume ride. The park discontinued free entry on July 31, instituting admission fees at $1.25 for adults and $0.50 for children while removing parking charges; the entrance was relocated accordingly. Additional features such as a railroad, an African village later called Stanleyville, and an amphitheater were introduced subsequently.

Robert B. Bean took over as general manager in April 1971. On July 4 of that year, the Trans-Veldt Railway debuted, linking the monorail with Boma via an upcharge attraction departing from "Nairobi Junction." Early in 1972, a $250,000 tree tops observation deck opened alongside Stanleyville’s Tanzanian Theater, which showcased live performances and animal exhibits. Ride surcharges were eliminated while general admission prices increased. The Livingstone's Landing boat ride was launched later that summer.

In March 1973, a second phase expansion worth $6.5 million was announced targeting Boma, Stanleyville, and the African veldt areas. Planned additions included a Morocco-themed village, the park’s first thrill ride log flume, a dark ride, gondola lift, animal training center, and safari attraction. A campervan park commenced operations nearby in May 1973. Bean resigned in April 1974 and was succeeded by Joseph C. Fincher as general manager. The Skyride gondola opened in May 1974, connecting major sections of the park.

By 1975, Busch Gardens housed more than 800 animals and expanded its live entertainment offerings. On April 16, the Morocco-themed village launched as the new entrance featuring shops, dining venues, landscaped spaces, and the Algiers Theater; a former snack bar from a parking lot was incorporated into this themed zone. In September 1975, a $7.6 million development plan was revealed including the park’s inaugural roller coaster (Python), tiger and elephant exhibits, an extension of Livingstone's Landing, enhanced landscaping throughout the park, and upgraded sound systems.

1975–1989: The Dark Continent Era and Ongoing Development

Towards the end of 1975, Busch Gardens began promoting its Tampa location with a unified older Africa theme under the new name "The Dark Continent" by early 1976 to distinguish itself from other Florida attractions. This rebranding involved renaming areas such as the African veldt to Serengeti Plain, Boma to Nairobi, and the Moroccan village to Marrakesh. Construction on the Congo-themed section commenced in January 1976 and opened in July 1977 featuring Arrow Development’s Python steel roller coaster—Busch Gardens' first coaster—and the Monstrous Mamba flat ride. Congo also included attractions like the African Queen boat ride, shooting gallery, Claw Island tiger exhibit, and Swinging Vines swing ride.

In 1978, Anheuser-Busch expanded its Tampa property to roughly 350 acres and announced a $5-10 million addition that included a large dining facility; construction on Timbuktu was underway by November of that year. In February 1979, an $18.5 million expansion plan was revealed encompassing Timbuktu and the adjacent Adventure Island water park. Timbuktu linked Congo and Nairobi with features such as an amphitheater, dining hall, and multiple attractions. Plans for a $20 million on-site hotel were disclosed in April 1979 but were postponed later on. Portions of Timbuktu opened towards late 1979.

By 1980, Busch Gardens operated under the newly created Busch Entertainment Corporation which separated entertainment assets from Anheuser-Busch’s brewing business. The Timbuktu section officially opened in January with rides including a carousel, trabant ride, dolphin show, Festhaus dining accompanied by dance performances among others. The Schwarzkopf steel roller coaster Scorpion premiered in May that year. To boost attendance figures further, a $6 million Congo river rapids ride was announced in 1981 and launched in May 1982. White tigers were introduced at Claw Island during 1982.

In 1983, additional children’s rides were added across Timbuktu and Congo along with Marrakesh Theater presenting Moroccan-American dance shows. The Dwarf Village was reconstructed featuring new kiddie attractions. In November of that year, Anheuser-Busch announced retiring "The Dark Continent" branding in favor of reinstating "Busch Gardens" to reinforce brand identity. The Intamin looping starship Phoenix opened in Timbuktu during June 1984.

A new elephant habitat debuted in Nairobi in 1986 alongside the Moroccan Palace Theater hosting Kaleidoscope, which became the main venue for large-scale shows within the park. Additionally, the Nairobi Field Station animal nursery began operations in December of that year.

February 1987 saw enhancements to the bird show with birds of prey such as falcons and eagles added to the lineup. That October Busch Gardens leased two pandas from China with a temporary exhibit opening in November; new aviaries were constructed specifically for them though both pandas left by late 1988. In 1988 the monorail system upgraded to electric trains while removing its aviary dome due to brewery expansion needs. By year-end plans included new boat rides and shows aimed at European tourists while reinforcing Busch Gardens’ distinctive position within Florida's theme park market.

For its milestone 30th anniversary in 1989, Busch Gardens introduced Tanganyika Tidal Wave—a shoot-the-chute water ride replacing the African Queen boat ride—and unveiled Orchid Canyon nature walk. A koala exhibit opened within the former panda enclosure in June while a Clydesdale stable housing four horses debuted by August.

1990–1999: Introduction of Thrill Rides and Expanded Animal Exhibits

In the early 1990s, Busch Gardens focused on introducing fresh attractions following the 1988 panda exhibit to sustain visitor interest. Due to diminishing patronage, the campervan park ceased operations in 1990. That same year, the Old Swiss House reopened as the Crown Colony House restaurant, featuring an African theme. Around 1991, the Swinging Vines ride was removed. In May 1991, Busch Gardens launched Questor, a motion simulator created by Reflectone, which followed explorer Sir Edison Fitzwilly’s adventure to find the Crystal of Zed.

To enhance its presence in Florida’s market, Busch Gardens unveiled the Myombe Reserve in June 1992—a 3-acre habitat for chimpanzees and gorillas located near the Moroccan Palace Theater. During the 1992 Summer Olympics, the park hosted a temporary Olympic village for the U.S. team. Later that year in November, plans were announced for Kumba, a flagship steel roller coaster designed by Bolliger & Mabillard adjacent to Congo River Rapids. Kumba opened in April 1993, boasting a height of 143 feet, a track length of 3,978 feet, and speeds reaching 60 miles per hour.

In 1994, the Land of the Dragons children's zone replaced the Dwarf Village area. After a 14-year run, the Stanleyville variety show concluded and was succeeded by Hollywood Live on Ice at the Moroccan Palace Theater in November. Anticipating competition from Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Busch Gardens expanded with Land of the Dragons debuting in May 1995 across 1.5 acres featuring themed play structures. The success of Kumba encouraged plans for an Egyptian-themed area including a fourth roller coaster, retail spaces, and a train station announced mid-1995.

On October 25, 1995, Anheuser-Busch shut down its Tampa brewery and transferred its 17-acre property to Busch Gardens amid restructuring driven by declining beer sales and rising expenses; demolition took place in December 1996. The Monstrous Mamba flat ride closed in fall 1995 while a Serengeti Plain safari experience requiring an additional fee opened that November.

In 1996, Busch Gardens extended its international marketing efforts to Brazil, Germany, and the United Kingdom and once again hosted a temporary Olympic village during the Atlanta Games. The Egypt section debuted on May 16 with a replica of King Tut’s tomb and Montu—a $10 million inverted roller coaster by Bolliger & Mabillard that was then the longest and tallest inverted coaster worldwide. In June, Busch Gardens formed a theme park alliance with SeaWorld Orlando, Universal Studios Florida, and Wet 'n Wild Orlando to better compete against Disney. That year also saw renewed consideration of hotel development.

October 1996 brought forth plans for a $20 million expansion focused on animal exhibits. In February 1997, Robin D. Carson succeeded General Manager Fincher. On July 4, the Edge of Africa exhibit opened on a 15-acre section of Serengeti Plain featuring African species such as crocodiles, hippos, lions, and vultures integrated within an African village setting.

By late 1997, development was underway for an entertainment complex designed to rival Disney’s Animal Kingdom alongside upgrades including refurbishment of the simulator ride—rebranded as Akbar's Adventure Tours replacing Questor in May 1998—and introduction of Lory Landing, a walk-through aviary near Land of the Dragons. An arcade area was inaugurated in Egypt in April 1998.

In July 1998, Busch Gardens revealed plans for Gwazi—a dueling wooden roller coaster—scheduled to open June 18, 1999 on land formerly occupied by the brewery. October marked the debut of Spooky Safari, the park’s inaugural family-oriented Halloween event. Additionally that month saw opening of an animal retirement facility in San Antonio on newly acquired 108 acres and announcements regarding Serengeti Plain enhancements including landscaping improvements and introduction of new species such as antelopes and giraffes.

Early in 1999, Tangiers Theater was replaced by a confectionery shop; meanwhile, the monorail ceased operations and was dismantled on May 13. Gwazi officially opened on June 18 on repurposed brewery grounds following closure. These initiatives underscored Busch Gardens’ commitment to diversifying entertainment options while expanding animal habitats and broadening international outreach throughout the decade.

2000–2009: Developments and Conclusion of Anheuser-Busch Ownership

At the dawn of the new millennium, Busch Gardens' leadership, under Carson's direction, restructured management to address escalating competition within Florida’s theme park sector. Instead of investing in expensive new attractions, the focus shifted toward distinctive interactive wildlife encounters, promoting the park as a premier Tampa Bay vacation destination, similar to Disney’s approach in Orlando. Anheuser-Busch introduced the "Fun Card" for Florida residents, granting unlimited annual access and replacing previous discount programs. Announced plans included Rhino Rally, a Land Rover-themed safari ride that debuted in May 2001 alongside an upgraded Serengeti Plain habitat.

October 2000 saw the introduction of Howl-O-Scream, a Halloween event adapted from the Williamsburg park to rival Universal’s seasonal offerings. Following the September 11 attacks, the parks briefly closed but quickly resumed operations. In 2002, Busch Gardens became the first Florida theme park to offer complimentary second-day admission during rain delays. The Dolphin Theater was replaced in 2003 by a new 4D cinema presenting Haunted Lighthouse, coinciding with a refreshed Timbuktu area and a new logo after twenty years. Midway through 2003, Dan Brown took over as general manager from Carson.

That year also marked the opening of a 26-acre white rhinoceros habitat and the launch of "Summer Nights," extending operating hours during summer months. Infrastructure improvements included expanded parking lots and tunnels beneath McKinley Drive to enhance guest access. August Busch III prioritized entertainment upgrades while abandoning earlier proposals for a hotel-entertainment complex. The Wild Maus roller coaster was relocated from Busch Gardens Williamsburg to Tampa.

In 2004, the Kasbah restaurant was rebranded as Desert Grill, and the Wild Maus coaster reopened under the name Cheetah Chase. The park announced SheiKra, a 200-foot Bolliger & Mabillard steel Dive Coaster located in Stanleyville, which opened in May 2005 as Florida’s tallest coaster and the first U.S. Dive Coaster installation. That same year saw modernization efforts including fingerprint scanning and self-service kiosks at entrances, alongside completion of transportation tunnels and expanded parking facilities.

From 2006 onward, Busch Gardens Tampa adopted the marketing identity Busch Gardens Africa to distinguish itself from its Williamsburg counterpart themed around Europe, while maintaining its local Tampa Bay branding. The Timbuktu Theater premiered Pirates 4-D, replacing Haunted Lighthouse. After three decades, the original Python roller coaster was retired to make way for future expansion.

In 2007, the Bird Gardens’ longstanding bird show concluded and was succeeded by Critter Castaways. SheiKra temporarily closed for enhancements such as floorless trains. A $16 million Jungala area was announced to occupy Python’s former location, featuring habitats for Bengal tigers, tomistomas, flying foxes, gibbons, and orangutans; attractions including a mini space shot ride and zip line; play zones; educational exhibits; and dining venues. Donnie Mills assumed general manager duties following Brown’s departure.

Jungala debuted in April 2008 with an estimated investment of $40 million, targeting older children and young teens positioned between SheiKra and Land of the Dragons demographics. Concurrently, Belgian brewer InBev initiated a takeover bid for Anheuser-Busch amid industry consolidation trends. To finance this acquisition, InBev considered divesting Busch Entertainment’s portfolio of ten parks—including Busch Gardens Tampa.

InBev submitted a formal bid in June 2008; Anheuser-Busch explored restructuring assets to counter the offer but encountered legal disputes as InBev sought board control. A friendly merger culminated in July 2008 with Anheuser-Busch InBev’s formation, accompanied by plans to sell subsidiary holdings including Busch Entertainment. Potential purchasers included Blackstone Group, Cedar Fair, Parques Reunidos, and Six Flags. By late 2008, Blackstone (through Merlin Entertainment) and Parques Reunidos emerged as frontrunners.

Early 2009 brought an end to complimentary beer samples at parks—a long-standing tradition—and a reduction in Anheuser-Busch branding within Busch Gardens under Anheuser-Busch InBev management. To commemorate its 50th anniversary, the park hosted a temporary museum displaying memorabilia contributed by visitors and corporate partners.

Mid-2009 announcements revealed plans to replace Land of the Dragons with a Sesame Street themed area featuring an expanded children’s zone and a new roller coaster. Speculation about a sale intensified as Blackstone Group neared agreement by October. On October 7, 2009, Anheuser-Busch InBev finalized the sale of Busch Entertainment to Blackstone for $2.3 billion. This transaction discontinued Clydesdale horse appearances but preserved the Busch Gardens name along with existing programs, staff, and management.

By December 2009, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay transitioned under SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment's operation with all remaining Anheuser-Busch insignia removed from the premises.

2010–present: Ownership changes and new developments

In February 2010, Jim Dean succeeded Mills as the president of the park. The performances by the Mystic Sheiks of Morocco concluded, making way for a new 4-D Sesame Street film to premiere in the Timbuktu Theater, replacing the previous Pirates 4-D show. On March 27, the Sesame Street Safari of Fun area was inaugurated, spanning a significant portion of the park. Additionally, on June 14, Walkabout Way—a kangaroo habitat—was introduced within the Bird Gardens. Later that year, on October 13, Busch Gardens announced two upcoming attractions: the Intamin-manufactured roller coaster Cheetah Hunt and the Cheetah Run animal enclosure.

On May 16, 2011, the park unveiled a new Animal Care & Nutrition Center that took the place of the former rhinoceros habitat. Both Cheetah Hunt and Cheetah Run officially opened on May 27. In response to Disney discontinuing Grad Night in 2011, Busch Gardens initiated its own event tailored for local high school graduates.

The Animal Care Center officially opened in January 2012, representing an investment estimated at $5 million. That November marked the debut of the seasonal Christmas Town celebration. In February 2013, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment refreshed Busch Gardens' branding with a "coaster tree" logo symbolizing both rides and nature. The Stanleyville Theater was enclosed during 2013, and by June, the Sandstorm ride was closed to prepare for Falcon's Fury—a new Intamin drop tower featuring face-down descents—set to open in Timbuktu the following year. By mid-2013, budget constraints and attendance figures led to the indefinite closure of Crown Colony restaurant. In November, Timbuktu underwent a reimagining as Pantopia, featuring bright colors, a fresh narrative, updated dining options, retention of existing rides, and Falcon's Fury as its centerpiece.

Early in 2014 saw the relocation of the Critter Castaways show to Pantopia Theater after Bird Gardens Theater shut down; subsequently, Bird Gardens Theater was demolished. That February, Busch Gardens became part of Tampa's City Pass program alongside other regional attractions. Although Falcon's Fury's opening was postponed from its initial May 1 date, Pantopia launched as scheduled. After several soft openings, Falcon's Fury officially opened on September 2. The Rhino Rally safari attraction ceased operations permanently in September. In December, Busch Gardens announced that wooden coaster Gwazi would close due to escalating maintenance costs and guest feedback; it officially shut down on February 1, 2015 after operating for fifteen years.

A new attraction within the Egypt section was announced for 2016. The previous Bands, Brew, and BBQ event was replaced by a Food and Wine Festival beginning in March 2015. Cobra's Curse—a spinning coaster located in Egypt next to Montu—was formally introduced in May and opened on June 17; this coincided with Desert Grill being rebranded as Dragon Fire Grill on June 1.

Tanganyika Tidal Wave closed on April 10, 2016 without plans for replacement. The former Crown Colony location reopened as a new dining establishment in May of that year. Due to corporate layoffs, Jambo Junction animal center closed indefinitely in December. In January 2017, Stewart Clark took over as park president following Jim Dean’s transition to lead SeaWorld parks in Orlando.

Free beer tastings returned in May 2018 at what had been renamed Garden Gate Cafe (formerly Hospitality House). Later that September, Premier Rides announced Tigris—a triple-launch coaster scheduled to open in 2019.

In March 2019, Busch Gardens unveiled plans for Iron Gwazi—a hybrid roller coaster conversion by Rocky Mountain Construction transforming Gwazi—with completion targeted for spring 2020. Tigris opened on April 19 of that year. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic forcing park closure from March through June 2020 and causing a 96% drop in attendance across SeaWorld Entertainment parks, Iron Gwazi’s opening was postponed until 2021.

Neal Thurman assumed the role of park president in August 2020 after Stewart Clark departed. Iron Gwazi officially launched on March 11, 2022 following preview events. In April of that year, plans were revealed for a revamped entrance plaza along with new entertainment options and an exclusive lounge for pass members. In October, Busch Gardens announced Serengeti Flyer—a Screamin' Swing ride set to debut in spring 2023.

The Garden Gate Cafe underwent rebranding as Springs Taproom in January 2023. By July of that year, the Sand Serpent wild mouse coaster had been permanently closed and dismantled; it was succeeded by Phoenix Rising which opened on July 21, 2024 as the park’s tenth roller coaster.

Park design and key attractions

Morocco

The park’s primary entrance is styled after Morocco. Visitors may enjoy snacks at Sultan's Sweets and Zagora Cafe. This area also features the Moroccan Palace and the open-air Marrakesh Theater.

  • Gwazi Gliders, a compact hang glider flat ride, was transferred from the now-closed Pygmy Village children’s zone in Congo.
  • Myombe Reserve, established in 1992 within Nairobi, serves as a habitat for six western lowland gorillas and nine chimpanzees.
  • The Moroccan Palace theater adjacent to Myombe Reserve presents Busch Gardens's acclaimed ice skating production, Turn It Up! The Hottest Show On Ice.
  • Iron Gwazi, a hybrid wooden-steel roller coaster crafted by Rocky Mountain Construction, replaced the original Gwazi coaster. Launched in 2022, it stands as North America’s tallest hybrid coaster and holds records for being the fastest and steepest worldwide.

Sesame Street Safari of Fun

Previously known as "Land of the Dragons," this section was reimagined as Sesame Street Safari of Fun on March 27, 2010. All rides from Land of the Dragons were retained with new theming:

  • Telly's Jungle Jam, an interactive play zone.
  • Rosita's Djembe Fly-Away, a swing ride.
  • Bert & Ernie's Watering Hole, a splash play area.
  • Air Grover, a children’s roller coaster.

Stanleyville

Taking its name from the former designation of Kisangani in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Stanleyville hosts significant attractions such as SheiKra, a signature coaster introduced in 2005 as North America’s inaugural Bolliger & Mabillard Dive Coaster. It retained this title until 2007 when Griffon debuted at sister park Busch Gardens Williamsburg. This area also contained Stanley Falls Flume (1973–2025) and Tigris, a Premier Rides Sky Rocket II launched coaster that opened in 2019 on the site previously occupied by Tanganyika Tidal Wave.

The African Queen Boat Ride began in 1977 as Busch’s counterpart to Disney’s Jungle Cruise, featuring live animals and South American macaws. In 1989, it was transformed into Tanganyika Tidal Wave with a 55-foot drop producing a splash effect. After SheiKra’s introduction in 2005 and subsequent area updates, Tanganyika Tidal Wave ceased operations in 2016 and was demolished by 2018 to make way for Tigris.

  • SheiKra, a Bolliger & Mabillard floorless dive roller coaster featuring a vertical 90-degree drop. Initially equipped with floors, its trains were switched to floorless versions in 2007; it received a repaint in 2013.
  • Tigris, a Sky Rocket II coaster by Premier Rides, opened on April 19, 2019, occupying the former location of Tanganyika Tidal Wave.

Congo

The Congo zone draws inspiration from the jungles of both the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It includes two primary rides: Kumba, a steel sit-down coaster by Bolliger & Mabillard, and Congo River Rapids, an Intamin river rapids attraction. The area underwent refurbishment in 2006 that involved removing the park’s previous Arrow Dynamics Corkscrew coaster, Python. Past attractions included Swinging Vines and Monstrous Mamba flat rides; meanwhile, the Pygmy Village kids’ section was either removed or relocated.

  • Kumba, which means roar in Swahili, is a steel roller coaster featuring seven inversions. Built by Bolliger & Mabillard in 1993, it remains highly popular and has been repainted twice—in 2010 and again in 2019.
  • Congo River Rapids, an Intamin river rapids ride launched in 1982; its queue line incorporates an exhibit showcasing Komodo dragons.
  • Ubanga Banga Bumper Cars offers guests a bumper car experience.

Jungala

Launched on April 5, 2008, Jungala is a family-oriented attraction that provides intimate animal encounters. The Tiger Trail is a walk-through exhibit featuring tigers, including a glass observation turret within their habitat. The Kareebu Jungala performance showcases stiltwalkers manipulating puppets to entertain visitors.

  • Orangutan Outpost: A canopy platform designed for viewing and interacting with six Bornean orangutans—three males and three females as of 2017.
  • Tiger Lodge and Tiger Trail: Viewing zones historically housing at least ten tigers; by 2024, the population consists of three tigers—Zahra (Bengal), Bandar (Sumatran), and Asmara (Malayan). In 2013, the Malayan tigress Bzui gave birth to a litter of three cubs.
  • Kulu Canopy: A diverse habitat accommodating white-cheeked gibbons named Milo and Kodo, fruit bats known as flying foxes, and the rare false gharial crocodilians native to Indonesia and Malaysia.

Pantopia

Initially introduced in May 1980 as Timbuktu, this area was themed after African marketplaces and shopping districts. The Phoenix, an Intamin Looping Starship, operated here from 1984 until its removal in 2018. It was succeeded by Phoenix Rising, which is the first Bolliger & Mabillard Family Inverted Coaster installed in the United States. The Mack Rides Wilde Maus called Sand Serpent, previously located at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, opened here in 2004 but ceased operations in 2023. A renovation in 2003 transformed the Timbuktu Theater into an enclosed indoor venue for 4-D movies, replacing the Dolphin Theater. This theater debuted films including "R.L Stine's Haunted Lighthouse" (2003), "Pirates 4-D" (2006), and "Sesame Street Presents: Lights! Camera! Imagination!" (2010). Das Festhaus was converted into the Desert Grill in 2004. September 2014 saw the debut of Falcon's Fury, a 335-foot Intamin Sky Jump that replaced the Sandstorm flat ride, coinciding with the area's rebranding to Pantopia.

  • Pantopia Theater: An enclosed venue that launched with Opening Night Critters during Pantopia’s 2014 reopening; since Spring 2019, it has featured Critters Inn Charge.
  • Caravan Carousel: Offers rides on horses, camels, and chariots.
  • Falcon's Fury: A 335-foot Intamin Sky Jump with speeds reaching 60 mph and a full 90-degree tilt toward the ground; it stands as North America’s tallest free-standing drop tower.
  • Phoenix Rising: A family inverted coaster by Bolliger & Mabillard featuring an over-banked curve near the entry sign; it is both Busch Gardens’ newest coaster and North America’s tallest and longest family inverted roller coaster.

Nairobi

Named after Kenya’s capital city, Nairobi features opportunities for close-up animal encounters including alligators and crocodiles. Curiosity Cavern offers exhibits showcasing various mammals and reptiles. Guests can also meet Animal Ambassadors who participate in educational demonstrations nationwide at Jambo Junction. This area includes Myombe Reserve, a tropical rainforest habitat housing western lowland gorillas and chimpanzees.

The Animal Care Center opened in 2012, allowing visitors to observe veterinary procedures and meet stars from Wildlife Docs, Busch Gardens’ television series. Nairobi also contains the primary train station along with a well-known Asian elephant exhibit. The Rhino Rally safari attraction closed in 2015 and was replaced by the Serengeti Flyer in 2023.

  • Animal Care Center: Spanning nearly 16,000 square feet, this advanced veterinary hospital enables guests to watch veterinarians performing treatments. Key visitor areas include a nutrition demonstration kitchen, treatment rooms, clinical laboratory, and interactive diagnostic stations. Behind-the-scenes spaces feature animal nutrition facilities, recovery areas, holding rooms, and veterinary offices.
  • Elephant Interaction Wall: Home to five female Asian elephants—Tina (53), Rosie (50), Simba (52), Carina (48), Carnaudi (30)—and one male elephant who arrived from Calgary Zoo in 2013. The females regularly participate in daily interactions at the Elephant Interaction and Husbandry Wall or during the Elephant Keeper Experience.
  • Serengeti Flyer: Introduced in 2023, this towering S&S Sansei Screamin' Swing initially operated at reduced intensity during morning hours but now runs exclusively at full "wild mode," offering maximum height and velocity.

Edge of Africa

Edge of Africa, also referred to as Cheetah Hunt Plaza, represents the smallest area within the park. This section features The Serengeti Overlook Restaurant and Pub, the Cheetah Hunt roller coaster, and the Skyride station.

  • Cheetah Hunt, an Intamin Blitz coaster that debuted in 2011, includes three launch segments, a Windcatcher Tower element, and a heartline roll inversion. It is situated on the site formerly occupied by a suspended monorail station that once circled the Serengeti Plain until 1999.
  • Adjacent to Cheetah Hunt is Cheetah Run, an animal exhibit that succeeded the Clydesdale Hamlet. Opened in May 2011, this exhibit showcases Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s cheetah population through running demonstrations and Meet a Keeper sessions. Educational interactive screens offer detailed information about cheetahs. Notably, Kasi, a male cheetah, was paired with Mtani, a female Labrador Retriever, from 2011 through 2013; Mtani now resides with a staff member while Kasi has since been paired with a female cheetah. By 2013, Busch Gardens cared for 14 cheetahs.

Egypt

The Egyptian-themed area evokes the ambiance of a marketplace with Bedouin tents, authentic crafts, and artwork. Its primary attraction is Montu, an inverted steel roller coaster. Tut's Tomb, previously an audio-guided walk-through tomb excavation experience, closed in Winter 2013 to make room for the queue line of Cobra's Curse. The former Golden Scarab Gift Shop was repurposed into a retail outlet at the exit of this attraction.

Animal habitats

Busch Gardens stands as Tampa’s largest zoological facility, home to more than 200 distinct animal species.

Animal Care Center

This center offers guests a behind-the-scenes look at animal care procedures such as medical treatments and x-ray examinations.

  • The Wildlife Docs is an Emmy-nominated television series documenting the work of caretakers responsible for over 12,000 animals at Busch Gardens Tampa.

Bird Gardens

A free-flight aviary housing upwards of 500 tropical bird species including parrots and flamingos. Established in 1959, this original section remains centered on gardens and animal displays. The former brewery attraction closed in 1995 and was replaced by Gwazi. In 2014, the Bird Gardens theater was demolished; subsequently, the outdoor show Critter Castaways was moved indoors as "Opening Night Critters" until December 2018. Presently, the park presents "Rescue Tales," which features animals rescued and rehabilitated by SeaWorld Entertainment.

  • Walkabout Way, an Australian-themed habitat opened in June 2010. Visitors can hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies while observing species such as kookaburras, magpies, black swans, and tawny frogmouths. A male kangaroo named Horatio joined this area in early 2014. This interaction is available to guests aged five years and older.
  • Lory Landing is an open aviary where visitors may hand-feed lorikeets by purchasing nectar, providing an interactive wildlife experience.

Edge of Africa

Since its debut in 1997, Edge of Africa has offered visitors a walk-through experience featuring a variety of African wildlife. The exhibit includes species such as a Nile crocodile named Sobek, meerkats, two prides of lions, spotted hyenas, vultures, lemurs, and three hippos named Moyo, Kita, and Devi.

Among the newest additions to the lion population are male Kembe and females Shaba and Shtuko, who were brought in as cubs from an African zoo in 2013. Another pride consists of male Simon and females Rose and Iris; by 2024, Rose remains the sole surviving lion. To prevent reproduction, both Iris and Rose have undergone spaying procedures.

To avoid unintentional inbreeding, hippos Moyo and Kita—who share a father-daughter relationship—are alternated daily between their exhibit space and holding areas.

The Serengeti Plain

The Serengeti Plain, inaugurated in 1965, was pioneering as the first habitat designed for free-ranging animals of its kind. Originally spanning 29 acres, it has grown to cover 65 acres and supports diverse species such as Grévy's zebra, Grant's zebra, Grant's gazelle, Thomson's gazelle, sable antelope, reticulated giraffe, Ankole-Watusi cattle, addax, waterbuck, greater kudu, southern white rhinoceros, common eland, impala, common ostrich, and lowland nyala. A secluded area within the habitat is dedicated to Jody, a lone female eastern black rhinoceros.

Events

Between January and March each year, Busch Gardens hosts weekly concerts spotlighting renowned big band and pop performers who deliver both timeless classics and modern hits.

In the months of March and April, Gwazi Field becomes the venue for a concert series mainly featuring classic rock and country musicians. Occasionally, alternative rock, pop, hip hop, R&B artists, and comedians also appear. This event is complemented by ethnic cuisine and wine tastings provided by local vendors along the pathway stretching from the Gwazi Roller Coaster to the entrance of Gwazi Field. Following the release of the documentary Blackfish and subsequent petitions in 2014, several bands withdrew from SeaWorld and Busch Gardens’ Bands, Brew & BBQ event. Consequently, this event was discontinued in Tampa and replaced by an annual Food and Wine Festival modeled after Epcot’s version at Walt Disney World Orlando. During March, Latin music performers take the stage at Gwazi Field accompanied by culinary experiences similar to those offered at Bands, Brew & BBQ.

Throughout summer months, Busch Gardens extends its operating hours to include special concerts featuring artists such as David Cassidy and Starship with Mickey Thomas. Independence Day celebrations incorporate fireworks displays as part of the entertainment lineup.

In 2010, Busch Gardens launched Kinetix—a nighttime show rich in special effects held at Gwazi Field—alongside upgraded ride effects for Summer Nights events. Kinetix ran until 2016 before being discontinued. Starting in 2017, Summer Nights evolved into an interactive party atmosphere with designated zones where guests can dance alongside DJs and participate in contests for prizes. Notable party areas include ¡Fiesta Festa! located at Cheetah Hunt Plaza and Tigris’s Party Zone (previously known as Viben Village) situated in Stanleyville. Weekend "Dance Challenge" competitions take place at Gwazi Park offering rewards such as tickets to Adventure Island and fireworks displays. In 2022, following park renovations, Summer Nights was rebranded as "Busch Gardens Summer Celebration."

Since 2000 every September through October, Busch Gardens transforms into Howl-O-Scream—a highly acclaimed Halloween event featuring haunted houses, scare zones, and live shows. Certain attractions receive seasonal re-theming for this period including Evening Serengeti Safari Tours and Dark Cavern. The event celebrated its 13th anniversary in 2012.

From November through December each year, Christmas Town offers festive holiday celebrations with themed performances like Christmas On Ice hosted inside the Moroccan Palace. The park is adorned with over one million lights along with seasonal decorations. Snow World provides guests with snow play areas and ice slides. Introduced in 2012, Christmas Town features Santa’s House near the Nairobi Train Station where visitors can meet Santa Claus along with his elves. Since 2016 guests have had the opportunity to interact with characters from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer within Rudolph's Winter Wonderland. Holiday princesses are available for photographs: Ice Princess near Icy Forest and Poinsettia Princess beside poinsettia displays; Princess Fae made her debut during the 2019 season.

On New Year’s Eve, Busch Gardens offers live musical performances throughout the park while keeping thrill rides operational late into the night. The festivities culminate with fireworks at Gwazi Field followed by a park-wide countdown welcoming the new year.

Rankings

The roller coasters at Busch Gardens Tampa have achieved prominent positions in Amusement Today's awards and nominations. Highlights include Montu securing 2nd place in 1999 and Kumba attaining 4th place in 1998. Additional coasters that have been acknowledged are SheiKra, ranked 13th in 2006, Cheetah Hunt at 29th in 2011, and Iron Gwazi, also ranked 29th in 2022. The park has also been nominated for excellence in landscaping during the years 1998 and 2007.

Steel

Wood

  • Gwazi: Ranked 40th (2007)

Attendance

Year Attendance
2008 4,128,000
2009 4,100,000
2010 4,200,000
2011 4,284,000
2012 4,348,000
2013 4,087,000
2014 4,128,000
2015 4,252,000
2016 4,169,000
2017 3,961,000
2018 4,139,000
2019 4,180,000
2020 1,288,000
2021 3,210,000
2022 4,051,000
2023 4,000,000

See also

Bibliography

External links

Related profiles

BBusch Gardens Tampa BayJJungle FlyersSStanley Falls FlumeWWild Surge
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