Busch Gardens Tampa Zookeeper for a Day Tour – Snap an Epic Selfie with an Adorable Sloth!
Everyone knows Busch Gardens Tampa, the beloved theme park-meets-zoo. Where else can you catch a live show, get your heart racing on classic amusement park rides, and say “hi” to a whole array of exotic animals (our favorite part of Busch Gardens Tampa), all in the same place?
But if just seeing the animals from afar isn’t enough to satisfy your curiosity, you’re not alone. That’s why Busch Gardens Tampa offers the Zookeeper for a Day Tour. It’s the perfect way to kick your day up a notch. Here’s everything you need to know about this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
So, What Does Being a Zookeeper for a Day Entail?
During the Zookeeper for a Day Tour, you’ll get a unique behind-the-scenes tour of the Busch Gardens Tampa zoo, giving you an inside look at what it’s like to be an animal keeper. This is awesome for kids who want to work with animals someday, animal lovers, or anyone who’s always wondered about what goes into taking care of the animals at a zoo/theme park like Busch Gardens Tampa.
Tour attendees will be treated to a crash course in Zookeeping 101. They’ll meet the Animal Care Specialists, see how the animals are cared for, and even learn the necessary skills to take care of the exotic and endangered species from all over the world who call Busch Gardens Tampa their home.
Choose Your Adventure
When you book your tour, you’ll have the option of choosing between 2 options. Both are awesome, but you’ll want to choose carefully, so you have the most memorable experience possible. It all comes down to what type of animals you’d rather meet.
The Animal Ambassador Tour
Rub shoulders with flamingos, sloths, tortoises, and more as you learn about what goes into keeping these fantastic animals safe, comfortable, and healthy in their enclosures.
The Australia Tour
Say hello to kangaroos, wallabies, and lorikeets from The Land Down Under! Who hasn’t always wanted to meet a kangaroo in real life?
No matter which tour you choose, you can expect a 4-hour behind-the-scenes walking tour (running from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm), up-close and personal encounters with the animals, and chats and Q&As with the Animal Care Specialists. Take advantage of the Q&A periods! This is your chance to ask an expert all your burning questions about zookeeping and the gorgeous animals you’re meeting on tour. You’ll also get to learn about each species’ behavior patterns, the zoo’s husbandry and breeding programs, and the education efforts Busch Gardens Tampa is championing.
For most people, the highlight of the tour is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to meet the animals. TripAdvisor reviewers say bringing a camera is essential, and we’re inclined to agree!
Of course, souvenirs are always important (to us, at least). Each attendee will receive a personalized name tag to wear during the tour and take home as a souvenir. What better way to remember this unique learning experience long after you’ve gone back home?
Preparing for Your Tour
Make sure to reserve your spot on tour early because they fill up fast. And keep in mind, all attendees have to be at least 13 years old to participate in either tour.
On the morning of your tour, wear comfortable shoes! You’ll be on your feet for a while. And not all the paths are paved, so you don’t want to be stumbling around in heels or floppy sandals. Dress like a zookeeper so you can stay comfortable and focused on making tons of new animal friends – and on bombarding your tour guide with questions. When you arrive at the zoo, park in the designated parking area. The tour guide will meet you at the main entrance.
After the Tour
When you’re all finished, the best part is that you’re already at Busch Gardens Tampa! You’ll definitely want to grab a bite to eat while you look through all the fantastic pictures you took on the tour. Take your time choosing the best one to post on Instagram. But when you’re done, take advantage of the rest of the day to hop on some rides, catch a live show, and say hi to the rest of the animals.
Make a Day of It
Serious animal lovers might even want to book a second animal tour for the day. Busch Gardens Tampa has many other animal tours if an entire day meeting exotic animals sounds like the best day ever. So if you really want the full, immersive experience and are dying to see more animals up close and personal, book a few more tours for a full day behind the scenes.
Most of the other tours are a little shorter, which will probably be music to your ears after spending 4 hours on your feet. But even the quick tours are no less remarkable. Here’s just a handful of the experiences you can add to your Zookeeper for a Day tour to round out the day.
Elephant Insider Tour
The Elephant Insider Tour gives you 30 minutes of facetime with the elephants. You’ll learn how the animal care team feeds, trains, and works with the elephants every day to keep them happy, healthy, and thriving. You’ll also learn about Busch Gardens Tampa‘s conservation initiatives to help keep elephants thriving around the world.
Private VIP Rhino Safari
Or really go all-in and treat yourself to the Private VIP Rhino Safari. During this 45-minute private off-road safari, your tour guide will take you into the center of Busch Gardens Tampa’s 65 acres of Serengeti Plain.
There in the middle of the wilderness, you’ll befriend Jody, an endangered black rhino, for a rhino snack break. You’ll get to ask the park questions all your burning rhino questions while Jody nibbles on a few treats. When Jody’s had her fill, you’ll get the chance to meet giraffes and hand-feed them as well. Just think about it. When or where will you ever get the opportunity for an experience like this again?
With so many ways to interact with and show appreciation for the world’s most beautiful, rare creatures, it’s evident that Busch Gardens Tampa is the ultimate destination for wildlife lovers and aspiring zookeepers. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s Zookeeper for a Day Tour is a no-brainer for the perfect animal lover’s day while you’re in the Tampa area.
Which animal would you be most excited to meet? Would you want to shake hands with a sloth or cuddle a little wallaby? How would you proudly display your personalized Zookeeper for a Day name tag after your trip? (Personally, we’d pin it on a tote bag.) Leave a comment to chime in!
Cover Image
Photo: Sylvia Westenbroek via Flickr
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