Sight guide · Tampa · United States
Visiting Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
An Africa-themed theme park with some of Florida's biggest roller coasters, including the dive coaster SheiKra, the inverted Montu and the wooden-steel hybrid Iron Gwazi.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: ClaudiaTampa39 at en.wikipedia, Public domain
Quick answer
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is a theme park in North Tampa, Tampa. Allow full day; it is expensive. Tickets bought online in advance are usually cheaper than at the gate; safari truck tours sell out on busy days.
Key facts
- Type
- Theme park
- Area
- North Tampa
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Book ahead
- Recommended
- Good for
- kids, active and nature
- Best months
- February and November–December
Plan a trip to Tampa
Compare flights, places to stay and rental cars, then book with the provider you choose.
About Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
An Africa-themed theme park with some of Florida's biggest roller coasters, including the dive coaster SheiKra, the inverted Montu and the wooden-steel hybrid Iron Gwazi. Between rides, the 65-acre Serengeti Plain holds giraffes, zebras and rhinos that you can see from trains or on a guided safari truck.
Tip: Ride the big coasters in the first hour, before queues build and summer thunderstorms close them in the afternoon.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: Full day.
- Cost: Expensive.
- Book ahead: Tickets bought online in advance are usually cheaper than at the gate; safari truck tours sell out on busy days.
- Where: North Tampa.
Best time to visit Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is outdoors, so weather matters most. The driest, most comfortable months are:
- December: 23°C (73°F) highs, about 5 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- November: 26°C (79°F) highs, about 4 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- February: 23°C (73°F) highs, about 6 rainy days, busy crowds.
When to visit Tampa has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Tampa itinerary visits Busch Gardens Tampa Bay on day 2, together with Lettuce Lake Park and Columbia Restaurant.
- No. 3 of the 17 sights in our Tampa things-to-do list.
- Day 2 of the 2-day plan.
- Day 2 of the 5-day plan.
- One of the picks in outdoors in Tampa.
- A family favourite in Tampa with kids.
Near Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Also in North Tampa, so you can walk between them:
- Lettuce Lake Park — 1.5 hours, low cost
If you like Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
- The Florida Aquarium — Channel District, 2–3 hours
- ZooTampa at Lowry Park — Lowry Park, Half a day
- Manatee Viewing Center — Apollo Beach, 1–1.5 hours
Staying near Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Where to stay in Tampa compares every area by price and who it suits.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay?
Plan full day. With Lettuce Lake Park nearby, it fits a half-day in North Tampa.
+Is Busch Gardens Tampa Bay free?
No, it is expensive. Booking ahead is advised.
+When is the best time to visit Busch Gardens Tampa Bay?
February and November–December for the most comfortable weather. Ride the big coasters in the first hour, before queues build and summer thunderstorms close them in the afternoon.
+Do I need to book Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in advance?
Tickets bought online in advance are usually cheaper than at the gate; safari truck tours sell out on busy days.
+Is Busch Gardens Tampa Bay good for kids?
Yes, it is one of our family picks in Tampa. Tampa is one of Florida's easiest family bases outside Orlando: Busch Gardens and Adventure Island, a big aquarium, a zoo with manatees and calm Gulf beaches within an hour.