Busch Gardens Tampa Bay - a thrilling antidote to Disney World!

Florida is well known for its diverse array of theme parks and attractions. Orlando in particular is a popular tourist spot with both Americans and overseas visitors, from the huge Walt Disney World resort to the marine delights of SeaWorld, Orlando's amusement parks are counted among the world's best. If you've already experienced all that Orlando has to offer and you're keen to sample the thrills of theme parks outside Florida's capital, head towards Tampa on the state's west coast, where you'll find Busch Gardens Africa - a truly unique theme park!

Busch Gardens Africa, also known as Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, is a theme park that is set in nineteenth century Africa - a world away from the offerings of Disney World. Originally opened in 1959 as a hospitality facility for visitors to the Tampa Anheuser-Brewery, the park continued to develop after the manufacturing plant closed down many years later. Today, Busch Gardens Africa is famous for its tropical landscape, exotic animals and thrilling rides, making it one of Florida's leading zoological attractions.

One of Busch Gardens' hallmark rides is the Serengeti Express, a replica steam train that runs along the rear of the park complex and makes stops at its Nairobi, Congo and Stanleyville areas. Additionally, the Skyride shuttles guests between Nairobi and the Stanleyville/Congo border areas - so visitors to the park have a variety of options when it comes to getting from one place to another.

In the Stanleyville section of the park, you'll find Busch Gardens' iconic ride ShreiKra - a 90 foot vertical drop roller coaster and one of only two of its kind in the United States. If this isn't quite your style, head towards the Congo area, where you'll find the 143-foot tall Kumba rollercoaster. Since November 2006, the Congo area of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has been under redevelopment and looks likely to be re-opened under the name 'Jungala'.

Moreover, the Timbuktu area of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is themed after the vibrant and bustling bazaars of Africa, while the Egypt area creates an authentic Egyptian marketplace feel. Here, you'll also find a replica of the tomb of King Tutankhamen, as well as Montu - a 150-foot rollercoaster.

Of course, rollercoasters aren't all that Busch Gardens Africa is about and animal exhibits make up a large part of the amusement park. The Serengeti Plain, for instance, is a 29-acre animal habitat that comprises a free roaming home for a number of animals, including the zebra, giraffe, bongo, addaz, East African crowned crane and addra gazelle. And fans of primates will adore the Myombe Reserve - a three-acre home in the parks' Nairobi section which acts as the home of six lowland gorillas and nine chimpanzees.

If you're keen to visit the delights of Busch Gardens Africa in Tampa Bay, you'll find a variety of flights to Tampa from the UK and other global locations. What's more, if Busch Gardens Tampa Bay strikes a chord with you, your friends or your family, why not take your next holiday in Busch Gardens Europe - located in Williamsburg, Virginia. And while you're there, don't forget to enjoy what the original Anheuser-Brewery made Busch Gardens famous for to begin with - beer!

Adam Singleton is an online, freelance journalist and keen amateur photographer from Scotland.