Serengeti Safari: Busch Gardens Tampa
Tiffany Morse5.23.19
I was able to experience something truly unique at Busch Gardens in Tampa. I purchased my tickets for the Serengeti Safari on line for $29.99 for ages 5 and up. I printed my receipt for proof of my purchase. This was a retirement for my mom and my aunt, who both retired this year. It was a wonderful chance to share this time together.
Before I describe the safari, I wanted to describe Busch Gardens a little bit. Busch Gardens in Tampa is a theme park that offers lots of high thrills roller coasters with options for animal encounters. There is truly something for everyone. Thrill junkies will love the variety of coasters and thrill rides. There are numerous opportunities for animal encounters and Sesame Street Land for the younger crowd. So they have many experiences and are sure to please everyone.
Now I would like to focus on the Serengeti Safari. I entered the park on Saturday, October 27, 2018 ,with my mom and my aunt. We got breakfast at the bakery, and then headed over to Serengeti Outpost. We checked in, showed our proof of purchase and were given our tickets. They had ice water for you and a nice, shady tent for you to wait in. They reminded us that is was a 30 minute standing tour in case anyone felt unable to make the journey.
Our safari started at 11:30 a.m. They checked us in at 11:25 a.m., walked us to a large locker where we could place our extra belongings in. The rule is you can take a water bottle or anything else, but you have to hold it in your hand. I left my large backpack in the locker and just took my camera. After doing this tour and knowing how close and involved the animals are I would definitely recommend leaving anything that you don’t have to have so you can focus on the experience.
Next you board a truck. You are standing up holding onto the sides or railing on the truck. We crossed a cattle guard and entered the Serengeti. Something I was immediately and pleasantly surprised at was the number of other animals that we saw. We started out with a Black Rhino. She was by herself and we only saw her from afar, but it was still a great start. We continued to make our way around the Serengeti seeing zebras, wildebeests, ostriches, Kudus, and gazelles.
Then we approached the back of the Serengeti and came face to face with seventeen giraffes. All of these were born native to Busch Gardens. We pulled the truck to one of the designated feeding spots. We were each allowed to feed the giraffes two pieces of lettuce.
I knew that they were supposed to get close, but had no idea that they would get that close. Three giraffes stuck their heads inside the truck with us. I literally had one licking my face and trying to eat my hair. I had giraffe slobber in my hair. Everyone who wanted to also had the chance to pet the giraffes. I was surprised by how they had rough fur and how it all laid down in a pattern. Just a side note, we did have one guest in our tour who wasn’t wild about being so up close with the animals. She stayed towards the back corner of the vehicle and was able to stay within her comfort zone and still get excellent pictures.
They also have a wonderful photographer who takes care of all of the pictures for you as well as you being able to take your own pictures and videos. Pictures taken on the safari are available for purchase after the experience. They have several very reasonably priced packages. We purchased the $60 photo package which included 3 printed pictures, a choice of a photo frame, and the photo CD including the rights to reprint your pictures. The pictures included on the CD are all of the pictures of your group feeding the giraffes, petting the giraffes, and several extra pictures of the other animals you saw on the safari.
After the safari, we went to the Serengeti Overlook Restaurant where we had lunch. The line was long, but the food was good and there a variety of choices from sandwiches to salads to chicken fingers. We all had the chicken fingers and fries and it was very good. We then went to the Myombe Reserve to view the gorillas. You got to see them from several different viewpoints. They have multiple gorillas for you to view. There was a sweet baby that we got to see climbing its mothers back and holding on. It was very sweet. They also had a lioness sitting next to the glass. You could see her very up close and personal.
This was an amazing experience. I have never been so close to these animals, particularly the giraffes. I love giraffes and have a special soft spot for them so to be able to have one lick me was truly once in a lifetime adventure. The entire day was full of great animal encounters, good food and memories that will last a lifetime.
To book your own incredible experience please contact me at: tiffm@wishesfamilytravel.com, 678-770-4144, or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tmorse.wft/