Busch Gardens - Tampa's Counterpart to Orlando's Disney World

Tourism is big business in Florida and the"wild mouse" style coaster in Timbuktu. With its
competition to attract visitors is good news fortop speed of 22 mph and 46" height requirement,
the tourists because there is plenty on offer. IfCheetah Chase is the perfect ride for a child's
you are visiting Orlando, don't forget to leavefirst coaster experience.
some time for a side-trip to Tampa Bay, whereRhino Rally: This wild jeep tour transports guests
the Busch Gardens Africa theme park combinesaboard an off-road adventure through the wilds
African wildlife with thrilling state-of-the artof Africa, blending up-close animal encounters with
amusement park rides.an unpredictable safari competition.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is a family adventureCongo River Rapids: Encounter the swift-flowing
park with attractions based on exotic encounterswhite water of the Congo River Rapids. Spin
with the African continent. In addition to rides itthrough a geyser and face an ominous waterfall
also has one of the country's premier zoosand other thrilling obstacles in a 12-person raft.
featuring more than 2,000 animals. Rounding outAlong with the rides Busch Gardens features
the attractions there are also live shows,unparalleled animal attractions. Here are just a few
restaurants, shops and games.of them.
Let's first take a look at the rides that areSerengeti Plain: This habitat features hundreds of
featured at this park.exotic African animals that can be seen from the
There are several roller coasters that are sure toSerengeti Express Railway, Skyride, Serengeti
delight thrill seekers, they include:Safari and various walkways. The 65-acre
Floorless SheiKra: Two years ago, Busch Gardensenvironment includes tiered and open landscapes
Africa introduced the world to a one-of-a-kindcovered with native and African grasses, scrub
experience: 200 feet up, 90 degrees straighttrees and shrubs; rock outcroppings and bluffs
down and in June 2007 the adventure parkreplicating natural formations; and naturalistic creek
introduced SheiKra to the world with a new twist:beds and mud banks.
"floorless" cars that allow riders an unobstructedMyombe Reserve: Enter the lush forest where
view and a new level of adrenaline rush. If yougorillas and chimpanzees can be viewed in this
think you can handle a straight down drop and sitnaturalistic rainforest habitat. Tour the Great Ape
in a car without a floor, then don't miss this one.Domain amid waterfalls and through shrouds of
Kumba: After the blood-curdling thrill of an initialmist and fog to get an up close look at these
135 foot drop, you will plunge from 110 feet into amajestic primates.
diving loop, feel a full 3 seconds of absoluteBird Gardens: Here you can view almost 500
weightlessness while spiraling 360 degrees, andtropical birds from around the globe. You can
tear through one of the world's largest verticalenjoy the Wild Wings of Africa show, see the
loops. This is another thrilling roller coaster and notaviary, and experience the powerful presence of
for the faint hearted.bald and golden eagles in Eagle Canyon. After the
Montu: Feel the ultimate rush on one of the tallestshow you can talk to conservation educators and
and longest inverted roller coasters in the world!learn how to attract birds to your own backyard.
Experience the thrill of an inverse diving loop and aThe park also offers a number of educational
60-foot vertical loop while you endure speeds ofprograms, and Busch Gardens Adventure Camps
over 60 miles per hour and a G-force of 3.85.offers many summer classes, sleepover
But there are also some gentler rides as well suchopportunities, residential programs and adventure
as:camps for kids of all ages, as well as the whole
Cheetah Chase: Families will love the curves, dropsfamily.
and corkscrews of Cheetah Chase, a five-story