Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
BUSCH GARDENS & ADVENTURE ISLAND
Orlando doesn't hold a monopoly on Florida theme parks. In Tampa, Busch Gardens
presents two enormous thrill-seeker destinations: the Africa-themed Busch Gardens,
which has some of the country's best roller coasters, and the adjacent Adventure Island
water park. If you'll be visiting both, get combo tickets.
Both parks are about 7 miles north of downtown Tampa; take I-275 north to exit 50/
Busch Blvd and follow signs. Parking costs $13.
BUSCH GARDENS
tampa
; 10165 McKinley Dr; adult/child 3-9yr $92/87, discounts online; 10am-7pm) has 10 loosely
named African zones, which flow together without much fuss. The entire park is walkable.
Admission includes three types of fun: epic roller coasters and rides, animal encounters
and various shows, performances and entertainment. All are spread throughout the park,
so successful days require some planning: check show schedules before arriving and plan
what rides and animals to visit around the shows. Coaster lines only get longer as the day
goes on.
Egypt
Home to the epic Cheetah Hunt, a low-to-the-ground scream-fest meant to
mimic a cheetah's acceleration. Another top-notch ride is Montu, the southeast USA's
largest inverted steel roller coaster. The Moroccan Palace Theater presents the headliner
shows (such as Cirque du Soleil).
Serengeti Plain
This 65-acre habitat mimics the African plains, with hundreds of free-
roaming animals. You can view it from the Serengeti Railway train ride, but the main ac-
cess is the Serengeti Safari Tour (from $19 to $39 per person), which lets you out of the
truck to feed giraffes, and so on.
Morocco
You'll find Gwazi, a huge but traditional wooden coaster, along with monkey
and ape encounters. It's close to the other main animal exhibits in Egypt and Nairobi.
Nairobi
Devoted mostly to animals, Nairobi has reptiles and nocturnal creatures in
Curiosity Caverns, and Jambo Junction lets you pet a flamingo and eyeball cute critters.
It's also the location of the Animal Care Center, which offers educational behind-the-
scenes tours of vets at work with some of the park's 12,000 animals.
Timbuktu
Smaller, carnival-like rides and arcades dominate Timbuktu. The 4-D theat-
er shows are a hoot: shameless 'interactive' fun where the seats goose and douse you.
