Busch Gardens may be a large tourist site with tons of people everywhere but that doesn’t take away from its appeal if you love animals, train rides and safaris. On my first visit, I roamed the park to get an idea of what was there and how big it was. This is easily a day trip because you can spend hours and hours watching interesting creatures (some easier to photograph than others):
I recommend the safari experience. You can book it ahead of time online. It’s an extra cost to the admission fee and doesn’t last as long as I would’ve liked, but how can you resist feeding giraffes? You’re standing in the back of a truck for at least a half hour and you’re in the sun so take your hat and sunscreen. The tour accommodates wheelchairs so don’t rule it out.
Of course, giraffes are not all you see. I must admit that I wondered what would happen if the rhino decided he didn’t like the look of the safari truck. Would ramming it seem like a good idea? I decided not to ask.
We trundled along at a swift 5 miles per hour but that gave us plenty of time to take photos and answer the guide’s trivia questions: “Anybody know what a rhino’s horn is made of?” Answer: Keratin.
If you decide to book the safari, you will need to get to the park a minimum of 45 minutes beforehand. First you have to get from the parking lot to the entrance. You can walk it, but I recommend the comfy tram. Then you have another walk (a good distance away) to get to the safari starting location. You’re probably navigating through hordes of people, none of whom are in any hurry to get out of your way, so get there early.
If you’re coming with family, you can book packages online that include lodging as well as your park passes. In addition to animals (which I’m going to assume other seniors like me prefer), there are roller coasters (not!) and family-friendly shows at sunset.
As far as animals go, you can stroll around and watch them, book the Serengeti Safari where you get to feed lettuce to the giraffes or take the Serengeti train and observe from a distance.
Next time I go, I’m planning to take in the Animal Care Center. You can stop by to check out the day’s schedule for animal care and even observe surgeries.
If you stay all day, they have plenty of places to eat and drink: pizza, barbeque, the Giraffe Bar, Zagora Cafe and Garden Gate Cafe. Add gift shops to the itinerary and your dance card for the day will be filled. (You have to be old enough to get the dance card reference but clearly I am).
The park is open from 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM (sometimes until 10:00 PM so check their online calendar). The Serengeti Safari, by the way, is $39.99. The park is located at 10165 N. McKinley Dr. in Tampa.
Lisa Browder 
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