Busch Gardens

Busch Gardens Africa is a 19th century African-themed theme park located on 335-acres in Tampa, Florida. Busch Gardens offers guests the ultimate family adventure with a selection of attractions based on exotic encounters with the African continent.

This theme park features a unique blend of thrill rides, live shows and attractions along with one of the country’s premier zoos featuring more than 2,700 animals. Attractions at Busch Gardens Africa include a selection of world-class roller coasters, thrilling rides for all ages, animal exhibits, entertaining shows, plus a variety of shopping and dining choices.

Busch Gardens Africa is located in Tampa, Florida thirty minutes east of area beaches and Tampa International Airport. The park is a short one-hour drive from the Orlando parks and attractions.

Park History

Busch Gardens Africa opened on March 31, 1959 as an admission-free hospitality facility for the on-site Anheuser-Busch brewery. The park offered visitors the chance to see animal acts in a tropical setting before entering a beer garden to sample Anheuser-Busch products for free. After the brewery closed, the park remained in operation focusing on the tropical gardens, exotic animals and eventually began adding amusement rides to entertain guests.