My sister, Courtney, gettin' some love on the Serengeti Safari at Busch Gardens Tampa
If you’re looking for a way to enhance your theme park experience or to celebrate a special occassion, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in Florida offers a ton of amazing up-close tours and interactive animal interactions! I can speak from personal experience that these upgrades and add-on packages are totally worth the extra money, especially if you’re a Passport Member, Fun Card Holder, or if you saved money purchasing Discount Busch Gardens Tickets. Keep in mind, reservations are required for all tours.
Check out these awesome tours and interactions, along with some personal real-life stories!
Serengeti Safari
Get up close and personal with giraffes, zebras, and exotic animals like bnongs, elands, and ostriches on this 30 minute open-truck tour through the 65 acre Serengeti Plain. Each truck is accompanied by a guide who provides you with tons of information about these animals, including how they are taken care, what they eat, and how they play. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to see baby giraffes, zebras, or rhinos! And the best part? You’ll get to spend a significant amount of time feeding the giraffes with large pieces of lettuce, which brings them right into your truck. Feel free to pet and hug them, or even share a kiss! Be cautious, of course – these are very large animals.
My sister sharing a kiss with a giraffe! Just hold a piece of lettuce in your mouth.
The Serengeti Safari costs #33.95 plus tax, and is certainly worth it! The Safari is FREE on your birthday – just bring a proof of birth date and a photo ID.
Each truck also carries a Busch Gardens Photographer, who captures amazing up-close memories for your later enjoyment. My personal recommendation? Instead of buying one picture package for $20, split the cost of a picture CD with your whole family, and get every single one! The Photo CD costs about $40 (only $10 each for a family of four) – totally worth it! And, they’re easier to upload to Facebook. 🙂
Sunset Safari
This tour is available for guests 21 and up, and sets out as the sun sets and the park is getting ready to close. The tour is 45 minutes, a bit more private and intimate, and you get to indulge with adult beverages! This is perfect for an anniversary or a milestone birthday celebration.
The Sunset Safari costs #39.95 plus tax.
Serengeti Night Safari
If you’re looking for something really special – like a backdrop for a romantic engagement, or a milestone anniversary – then you’ll definitely want to consider the Serengeti Night Safari. The experience is two-hours, starting off with appetizers and ice-cold beverages. You’ll be treated to an exclusive guided expedition as you look for hippos, lions, and hyenas under the moonlight. After the tour, you’ll have a chance to relax and listen to colorful tales around a roaring bonfire. The evening ends with a classic nightcap, including coffee and desserts.
Listen to colorful tales around a bonfire on the Serengeti Night Safari
Guest Gina Jackson shares her personal experience on the Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Facebook Page:
“Just got home from the Serengeti Night Safari! Thank you SOOO much for an amazing time and the best anniversary ever! You even topped it off with a Cake that was totally unexpected. Our guides, Emily, “the situation” and Gabe were the best ever and as always Busch Gardens was well worth the $$ and we are soo happy! God… bless you all and see you again soon! :)”
Happy Anniversary!
Park Admission is amazingly not required to enjoy this awesome experience, though it would be a perfect endcap to a day at Busch Gardens. The tour is only offered on select nights, so make sure you look into that. The Serengeti Night Safari costs $60 plus tax for Adults 21 and up.
Other Tours and Interactions
If you love animals, I’d recommend the following tours and interactions:
Jungala Insider
Keeper for a Day
Tiger and Orangutan Keeper Experience
Elephant Keeper Experience
Try one of the Keeper for a Day Behind-the-Scenes Tours
If you love the shows and rides, check these out:
Katonga Insider
Roller Coaster Insider
Gotta Have It All? Try the Guided Adventure Tour or Elite Adventure Tour
I'm Making a New Friend during a Sea World Behind-the-Scenes Tour
These tours and interactions are a great way to enhance your Busch Gardens experience. Sea World Orlando also offers some amazing behind-the-scenes tours and animal interactions, which you can read more about here. Yes, these add-ons cost more money, but if you’re a Annual Passport Member, a Fun Card Holder, or if you purchase Discount Busch Gardens Tickets through us at The Official Ticket Center, then you should definitely consider the added value!
For more information, call us toll-free at 1-877-406-4836.