Busch Gardens

It seems I should have done some research on the gardens before we even went there!  I have since learned that the 335 acre park is African-themed.  Sections of it include the Congo, Nairobi, Jungala, Stanleyville, Edge of Africa, and Serengeti Plain.  We initially took the park's train, which enabled us to see a bit of the latter.

We probably could have seen more of the Serengeti had we chosen to pay the extra fee for a safari ride, but we were quite satisfied with the number of animals we saw from the train.  There were zebras, rhinoceri, a variety of deer and antelope, and birds.  I wrote in the last posting that it seemed to us that there were not many animals in the park, but in reality there are more than 2,700!  We probably needed another day in the park to have seen more than we did.

We found a bit of the exotic in the park at a section called Pantopia.  Originally this area of the park was called "The Dark Continent", then Timbukta in 1980.  It was later called Pantopia after the malls
and bazaars of  Africa.
Several rides were enjoyed by our daughter Melissa and husband Spencer.  Nathan, our four-year old grandson, enjoyed the Stanley Falls Flume- even though he got soaking wet!

The best part of the park for our young children was Sesame Street, where they were able to explore a variety of playground activities.  A large enclosed trampoline area was a big hit with them.

Some of the botanical offerings of the park were fascinating for me.  Fortunately they have identifying signs located near them.  Pictured above is the acacia tree, found in the lowlands of Africa.  It is a fast-growing tree with smooth bark and 3-inch thorns- once thought to cause sleeping sickness.

And of course, as in most parks of Florida because of the tropical-like climate, I found a beautiful displays of orchids. 
For our supper we ate at the Zambia Smokehouse, not very good food as we had expected.  Our dining pleasure was ruined by the noise of the Sheikra Skyride which towered above our table.  As I said in my last posting, it seems that Busch Gardens is for the younger generation.