As a person who has been visiting Busch Gardens Africa in Tampa, Florida since he was six months old, I can say that one of the most exciting kinds of attractions at the park is the “water” rides–the sort of ride that often soaks people to the bone. Busch Gardens Africa has three popular water rides offering thrills and spills for most everyone in the family: The Stanley Falls Log Flume, The Congo River Rapids, and the Tanganyika Tidal Wave.
Stanley Falls Log Flume
The Stanley Falls Log Flume is Busch Gardens Africa’s oldest thrill ride. Having opened in the summer of 1973 in the Stanleyville section of the park (where the Busch Gardens’ monumental SheiKra dive roller coaster can be found), the log flume is an exciting ride that thrill-seekers young and old alike will enjoy. This is the first thrill ride I ever experienced, my parents having taken me on it originally when I was only a toddler. Indeed, the park still has a two-year-old rider age minimum (with an adult) on the log flume, so even among the youngest in your family can join the rest of the clan as everybody takes a ride on this Busch Gardens classic. Don’t let the ride’s family accommodations or age trick you into thinking that a trip on the log flume is a picnic. Not in the least. This ride includes many twists, turns, and dives. You will know this wet ride is over only after you survive its breathtaking 43-foot drop.
Congo River Rapids
The Congo River Rapids is a white-water raft style ride that takes adventurous types through a wild river that winds throughout part of the park’s Congo section. The Congo River Rapids opened in 1982, and still offers riders one of the best chances in the park to get soaking wet. The ride can be found just to the west of the Kumba roller coaster and can be reached via bridges that span the northern reaches of the park’s scenic Trans Veldt Railway. The ride lasts a few minutes and takes brave guests through a number of drenching elements, the most exciting (or dreaded, if you were actually trying to get off this ride dry) is the climactic waterfall under which you must pass before again putting your feet on dry land. Guests must be at least 42″ tall to ride.
Tanganyika Tidal Wave
The Tanganyika Tidal Wave is the park’s most recent water ride attraction. It opened in 1989 on the site of the former African Queen Boat Ride. In fact–theme park history buffs may want to know this bit of trivia–much of the watery trough through which the Tanganyika Tidal Wave boats pass is the same path used for the African Queen Boat Ride during its 1972-1988 run. The Tanganyika Tidal Wave initially takes riders through the calm waters of a scenic jungle. However, guests know they are in for more than just a peaceful jaunt once their boat tips upward for a trip up a lengthy lift hill. Before long, riders are being plunged down a 55-foot hill that results in an astounding wave that drenches both passengers and those standing nearby watching the spectacle. Guests must be at least 48″ tall to ride.
Insider Notes for Tourists
Busch Gardens Africa’s water rides are thrilling and, like the park, are open all year. They do, however, undergo periods of maintenance and this will require ride downtime. If you are traveling to Busch Gardens Africa, it may be wise to call to see what attractions will be undergoing maintenance and when the rides will be closed. The water rides typically see their maintenance closures occur during the winter months, when the massive summer crowds are not at the park. And there is an important note for out-of-state tourists: even Central Florida has a winter. In fact, it is not uncommon for regional December, January, and February lows to dip down to the low and middle 30s. There are some winter days in Central Florida that do not escape the 50s. While this may sound mild to folks in the Upper Midwest, it can be absolutely bone-chilling when wet. If you decide to get down to Florida during the heart of winter, you may want to invest in an inexpensive poncho to cover each guest in your party who may decide to brave the water rides when temperatures are below 60-70 degrees. For more information about Busch Gardens Africa, contact 1-888-800-5447
