Are you looking for a complete guide to the Busch Gardens Tampa animals?
Well, you have come to the right spot! The animals at Busch Gardens Tampa have a special place in the ThemeParkHipster’s heart.
From gorillas to orangutans, to giraffes and tigers the wilds of Africa are right here in the sunshine state of Florida.
There’s no lion about it, this animal theme park is 335 acres of jungle fun.
In this guide, I will give you everything you need to know about all the amazing Busch Gardens Tampa animals.
From tours to encounters and ThemeParkHipster tips, so, hold on tight, it’s gonna be a wild ride!
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1. Rhinos
The rhinos are one of the hundreds of exotic wildlife that roam free on the Serengeti Plain.
There are two different rhinos you can be on the search for, the critically endangered black rhinos and the southern white rhinos.
So, see if you can spot them both!
Why We Think You Must Visit These Busch Gardens Tampa Animals
The rhino babies could possibly be the most adorable thing you will see all day.
When they get excited or start running your heart will be melting! It is cuteness overload!
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2. Sloths
Calling all sloth lovers!
Sloths can be super difficult to spot in the rainforest sleeping up in the trees for almost 20 hours a day.
But at Animal Connections in Nairobi all your sloth dreams can finally come true and see these slow-moving animals!
Why We Think You Must Visit These Busch Gardens Tampa Animals
Sloth encounter is one of the animal encounters at Busch Gardens Tampa that will turn your life upside down.
Literally, since sloths spend most of their time hanging upside down.
Become a sloth keeper in training as you partner with the animal care team helping to feed and go behind the scenes learning about all things sloth.
It will be the most slothtastic 30 minutes of your life!
Hipster Power Tip: Do not move at sloth speed reserving your spot. They typically only offer it at 3:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. daily and space is limited.
3. Cheetahs
One of the most unbelievable things you may ever see in your life is right here at the Cheetah Run.
Try not to blink or you may miss it as the cheetahs take off into a full sprint going from 0 to 60 and upwards of 65 mph (miles per hour).
You will see for yourself why they are known as the fastest land animals!
Why We Think You Must Visit These Busch Gardens Tampa Animals
They don’t roar like lions but you may hear them purr to what even sounds like a meow during the Cheetah Insider Tour.
The experience is up close and personal and the walking tour lasts up to 30 minutes starting at $29.99.
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4. Tigers
After battling Florida’s biggest launch coaster Tigris, you won’t have any problem taking on one of the most thrilling animal exhibits at Busch Gardens Tampa.
Come face to face with one of the most feared predators out there, the tigers!
Why We Think You Must Visit These Busch Gardens Tampa Animals
This is one of Busch Gardens Tampa animal exhibits that will give you an adrenaline rush almost as much as the coasters themselves.
Stepping inside a glass plexiglass, you can have a first-hand look and may even get to look right into the eye of the tiger.
Tiger Insider Tour is another way to get to know more about these big cats for 30 minutes behind the scenes.
Tours start as low as $29.99 and are an awesome way to meet the tigers up close!
5. Lions
You can hear the majestic lions roar up to 5 miles away but here in the Edge of Africa you can see them much closer.
You may even get to see lion cubs so don’t forget to ask a keeper about them if you don’t see any out playing about.
Why We Think You Must Visit These Busch Gardens Tampa Animals
They may look cute and cuddly like big cats but when it’s feeding time you will see first hand Africa’s largest carnivores.
They are true hunters and you can watch their predatory skills come to life right before your eyes.
Hipster Power Tip: If you want to see these Busch Gardens Tampa animals in action try and stop by early in the morning. This is when they are most active or save it near the end of your day around dusk.
6. Gorillas & Primates
I could spend all day in Myombe Reserve watching the chimpanzees and gorillas.
I love taking my time to just sit and watch them playing with one another and even just being captivated by them and their behaviors.
Why We Think You Must Visit These Busch Gardens Tampa Animals
Myombe Reserve has two once-in-a-lifetime insider tours. Prices start at $29.99 and both run for 30 minutes each.
Gorilla Insider Tour:
For anyone who is 8 years and up, the Gorilla Insider Tour is one of the truly memorable animal encounters at Busch Gardens Tampa. I can’t recommend it enough!
With only the plexiglass in between you and the mighty gorilla, the animal care specialist teaches you how to interact with them.
Giving fun cues, you get to stand in front of the window with them going hand-to-hand with the gorilla and learning so many fascinating facts.
Orangutan Tour:
The Orangutan Insider tour is a swinging good time! Just like the gorilla tour you get one on one time at the big window.
The animal care specialists will guide you through with gestures to interact with these endangered species. It’s incredible to see how intelligent they are!
Hipster Power Tip: If you don’t see the orangutans don’t worry. They prefer to be up higher, so just look up!
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7. Elephants
As the saying goes, elephants never forget.
But I think the elephant animal encounters at Busch Gardens Tampa may be one YOU will never forget.
The Nairobi region holds the largest land mammal. Here you will find the endangered Asian elephants and get a chance to see them up close at the Elephant interaction wall.
The adorable elephants are super friendly and sociable creatures that have quite a playful side.
You will see firsthand at the husbandry wall!
Why We Think You Must Visit These Busch Gardens Tampa Animals
10 years of age and up can live out a once-in-a-lifetime experience of going behind the scenes.
The Elephant Insider is definitely one of the heartwarming animal encounters at Busch Gardens Tampa.
Hipster Power Tip: It ranges from 29.99 to 49.99 depending on the day and time of year. So, take a look at their booking calendar ahead of time so you don’t miss out on a bit of savings.
8. Giraffes
The giraffes definitely stand out from the crowd. These tall and elegant animals roam free out on the Serengeti Plain.
There are different spots on the pathway from the Edge of Africa where you can see them.
But I suggest the Serengeti Express Train if you want a better viewing to admire.
Why We Think You Must Visit These Busch Gardens Tampa Animals
One of the most popular and once-in-a-lifetime experiences that Busch Gardens Tampa offers is the Serengeti Safari.
The safari treks you off-road on an expedition to explore the exotic wildlife running free on 65 acres. From antelopes and ostriches to rhinos and zebras.
But it is the giraffe encounter that will leave you speechless.
Hand-feeding a giraffe from the back of the open-air touring vehicle is something that only dreams are made of!
Hipster Power Tip: Be sure to make a reservation as Serengeti Plain is one of the park’s award-winning attractions.
9. Hippos
Edge of Africa is where you can do some hippo sightings!
This is by far one of the Busch Gardens Tampa animal exhibits that you can’t help but smile at and CANNOT MISS.
The hippo tank feels like you are swimming right in there with them as they glide up to the windows alongside you!
You will be surprised at how graceful these big creatures are, well when they are swimming around in their hippo tank that is!
Why We Think You Must Visit These Busch Gardens Tampa Animals
The Hippo Insider Tour is another fantastic family-friendly animal encounter at Busch Gardens Tampa because those who are 8 years and up can enjoy this behind-the-scenes adventure.
These gigantic mammals are actually herbivores. During the 30-minute experience, there is an opportunity to feed these hungry hippos, tossing some treats into their enormous mouths.
Hipster Power Tip: The animal exhibits at Busch Gardens Tampa always have plenty of signs, but the hippos zone may be one to be extra cautious of. Keep your eyes open and take warning of the splatter zone signs!
10. Hyenas
You don’t need to journey across the South of the Sahara to find hyenas!
They are one of the animal encounters at Busch Gardens Tampa that you will come across in Edge of Africa.
Why We Think You Must Visit These Busch Gardens Tampa Animals
Did you ever wonder if hyenas can laugh? Well now is your chance to hear for yourself.
It may resemble the sounds of laughter but actually, they may be excited or even feeling a bit anxious.
So come see if they are celebrating a successful hunt or if the clan isn’t feeling the friendliest with one another.
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11. Zebras
Spend some time with the zebras and see for yourself if they are black with white stripes or white with black stripes.
With their mighty manes flowing as they run across the Serengeti Plains, the zebras are a beautiful sight to see.
Why We Think You Must Visit These Busch Gardens Tampa Animals
I never miss out on a chance to ride the Serengeti Express Train to watch them out in the heart of the Serengeti Plain.
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12. Penguins
Let’s be honest penguins are so loveable and cute!
While in Nairobi, waddle on over to Penguin Point to spend some time with the playful penguins.
These dapper little African penguins love to dive, swim, chill, and wiggle about in their habitat.
Why We Think You Must Visit These Busch Gardens Tampa Animals
If you want to know what happiness feels like then I suggest the Penguin Insider Tour. The penguins show up dressed to impress!
Getting to be so up close and personal with these warm weathered little friends will have you grinning ear to ear.
The tour only requires kids to be 5 years and up and starts at $29.99.
13. Meerkats
Edge of Africa is filled with Busch Gardens Tampa Animal exhibits and the meerkats is one that is definitely entertaining.
The meerkats are super cute, sociable, and fun to check out!
Why We Think You Must Visit These Busch Gardens Tampa Animals
You can watch as they are busy digging away while creating their underground burrow and tunnels.
Everyone has their little meerkat chore and job to do.
Plus the staff is super friendly and will fill you in on lots of stories and you can ask them lots of questions.
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14. Kangaroos & Macropods
The kangaroos and macropods animal exhibits at Busch Gardens Tampa are a hopping good time in Walkabout Way. There are kangaroos, wallabies, and wallaroos!
They offer an Australian Insider Tour and I can’t recommend it enough. It’s SO MUCH fun for adults and kids and starts at $39.99
When do you ever get the chance to hang out with kangaroos?
Why We Think You Must Visit These Busch Gardens Tampa Animals
For anyone who loves animals and really wants to get up close and personal with the animals at Busch Gardens Tampa then the Australian Insider is an absolute MUST!
The adorable kangaroos come right up beside you to eat from your dish of food.
And there are so many, it’s a whole mob and troop of them!
Make sure your phone has lots of space because you will be taking non-stop photos!
15. Alligators, Snakes & Reptiles
Not sure you are ready to take on the Snake King and ride the rails of Cobra’s Curse?
Then face your fears and meet the reptile residents first who call Busch Gardens Tampa home.
They are located throughout the park so don’t forget to slither on in for a peek.
- Carnivorous Komodo Dragons in Congo
- Snakes from vipers to rattlesnakes in Animal Connections
- Alligators in Morocco
- Crocodiles in Edge of Africa
- Aldabra Tortoises in Nairobi
Why We Think You Must Visit These Busch Gardens Tampa Animals
For those wanting a kid-friendly activity with some of the animals at Busch Gardens Tampa the Aldabra Tortoise Insider Tour is definitely one to consider.
Starting at only $19.99 one only needs to be 3 years and up to have the chance to spend time with the largest land tortoises in the world.
With feeding and enrichment, you get to spend up to 20 minutes with these amazing creatures that can reach over 500 lbs and up to 150 years old!
16. Gazelle & Antelope
The Serengeti Plains is the destination to get a glimpse of the graceful gazelles and amazing antelopes.
Some have the most striking horns that you may ever see.
See if you spot and know the difference between the:
- Gazelles
- Sable
- Wildebeest
- Kudu
- Bongos
- Nyala
Why We Think You Must Visit These Busch Gardens Tampa Animals
Serengeti Express Train is by far the ultimate way to voyage across the Serengeti Plains.
I will never grow tired of riding along and seeing the absolute beauty that Busch Gardens Tampa has created.
The exotic animals roam free plus it’s super relaxing and gives your legs a much-needed rest!
Hipster Power Tip: The ride is free and if you want some of the best pictures try to sit on the left side.
17. Flamingos & Birds
You can’t miss the fantastic flamingos, they are one of the famous ambassadors of the park.
But don’t worry, they are hard to miss due to their bright colors and the large flocks of them.
They are parading throughout Nairobi, the Bird Gardens, and Egypt.
Look no feather bird lovers! Busch Garden Tampa has plenty more flocks of birds from toucans to kookaburras, peacocks, and even emus and ostriches!
Why We Think You Must Visit These Busch Gardens Tampa Animals
The Animal Ambassador Insider Tour has you chasing flamingo dreams! Even the little ones can come if they are 3 years and up.
Prices start at $19.99 where you can hand feed the colorful flamingos in their natural habitat.
18. Lorikeets
I’ve saved the best for last! They may be small but the lorikeets hold a big place in my heart.
Lory Landing is one of my absolute favorite and must-visit Busch Gardens Tampa animal exhibits.
They are so vibrant in color, full of personality, and sure do make a lot of noise!
Why We Think You Must Visit These Busch Gardens Tampa Animals
This is one of the animal encounters at Busch Gardens Tampa where you are truly part of the exhibit and the most interactive.
The free-flight habitat allows you to walk right into the aviary as they fly around and land right on you!
It’s a rainbow of colors and you can hand-feed them little cups of sweet nectar.
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My Final Thoughts on All the Busch Gardens Tampa Animals
Well ThemeParkHipster, I hope you enjoyed the full guide to all the loveable and exotic Busch Gardens Tampa animals.
I suggest you try to make time for at least one or two animal encounters and tours. It’s a great way to mix up the day and really get the full experience of Busch Gardens Tampa.
You can’t go wrong with any of these animal encounters! They will all leave you with incredible memories to cherish.
Until next time, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters!
About the Author
Sarah Jordan is a solo traveler enthusiast, professional travel writer, and proud mama to her rescue dog Coconut.
With a love for destinations across the globe, she made Epcot her first theme park and still treasures her EPCOT World Showcase passport to this day.
After finally following her inner wanderlust, she discovered the freedom and empowerment that solo travel brings.