Two Kinds of Cheetahs at Busch Gardens

We are so lucky to have lions, tigers, including white tigers, and now cheetahs at Busch Gardens, Tampa Bay.

Last month we went to Jambo Junction and saw Kasi, the baby cheetah together with the companion for life, a puppy.

Today we went to Busch Gardens to take a look at the cheetahs at Cheetah Run. We arrived at 10.00 a.m., and the temperature was in the high eighties, with a heat index making it feel like the high nineties.

As we entered the new area, we could see a big enclosed area for the cheetahs to run, but people were looking to no avail. Up close to the windows, in the shaded area, were the two cheetahs. They were laying down, and didn't move. You could see that their breathing was heavy, and all they wanted to do was get through the heat of the day. This was a shame, because we all wanted to witness a cheetah run. Isn't that what they do?

Looking above them was the new and exciting ride, Cheetah Hunt. Len and I have been watching this from the beginning. They had to close down the cable cars while this was being built. Also the Sergengeti Railway was missing for awhile.

Cheetah Hunt is way too frightening for this grandmother, and my husband who is a great-grandfather. We saw the ups, and downs, the loops, and the twists, and were thankful that we were not on it.

We walked through Edge of Africa and looked up at the ride. As we crossed the bridge we could see the start of the ride, and watched the cars coming closer to us. They then went over the top, and we watched as they twisted, and turned, and then came back to the start.

We decided to go on the cable cars at the Jungala area. There was no wait at this end, not like the hour wait by Cheetah Hunt. The cable cars run on the same track, but Busch Gardens have interacted the Cheetah Hunt ride with them. The ride is above, and below the cable cars.

This really excited us, because we almost felt as if we had been on the ride. It was thrilling to see it. Busch Gardens have done an amazing job of both the animal exhibit, as well as the ride.

When we got off the cable car, and headed for the exit of this ride, we could see the people lined up for Cheetah Hunt. This is where the old monorail used to be. I cannot give you any idea of how long the wait was, as I have never seen so many people in one area. They are not allowing anyone to do the 'fast track/pass' on this ride.

We thought we were so lucky to have so many animals in the park, shows, the kids area, Montu, Congo River Rapids, Rhino Rally, Gwazi, Stanley Falls, Tanganyika Tidal Wave, Scorpion, Kumba, SheiKra, and now Cheetah Hunt.

I am so glad that I live an hour from Busch Gardens, have a two year pass, and can go for just an hour, before the crowds arrive.

Busch Gardens
10165 N McKinley Drive

Tampa, FL 33612

Telephone 1-888-800-5447.or go to www.buschgardens.com

Don't forget the Christmas Shows later in the year.