Photos by Shaunette Jones
LEFT: Giraffes laze about on the re-created 'Serengeti Plains' of Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay, Florida.
RIGHT: Killer whale Shamu isn't too shy for a cam close-up.

Shaunette Jones, Staff Reporter

Florida, the Sunshine State, is famous for its warm weather, beautiful beaches and carefree, laid-back mindset. But there's no fun if you stay hunkered down while visiting your family. Live a little!

Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay offers a wide variety of activities. Located an hour's drive from Orlando, Busch Gardens is a nature lover's dream. Attractions include Bird Gardens, a walk-through bird sanctuary where visitors get to feed and pet different types of birds, and the Myombe Reserve where gorillas and chimpanzees reside in a natural habitat.

The sprawling property also re-creates Serengeti Plains, which straddle the grasslands of Tanzania and Kenya which feature massive animal migration biannually.

The vast landscape, which transports Africa to America, is home to dozens of exotic animals, such as zebras, hyenas, giraffes, buffalos, tigers, lions, meerkats and wildebeests.

Wild ride

Patrons who aren't as eager to cosy up with clawed creatures can trade their wild side for a wild ride. Busch Gardens hosts a handful of roller coaster rides such as the Montu, Scorpion and the Congo River Rapids, which will test your bowels and bravery.

For the really suicidal fun freaks, strap up in the Sheikra, a floorless behemoth armed with all the frills to deliver thrills and chills. The Sheikra, which is touted as the tallest roller coaster in the world, accelerates up to 70mph and has a death-defying plunge of 138 feet. Valium! Valium! Where's my Valium?

There are also lots of family-friendly shows such as Pirates, a 4-D adventure; and KaTonga, a musical celebration of Africa's culture.

Top of the list is Critter Castaways, an animal-dominant musical in which parrots, dogs, aardvarks and virtually every stowaway from Noah's ark perform every trick in the book to draw oohs, aahs and OMGs.

If you want to 'wet' your appetite, Seaworld is the place to go. Situated in the heart of Orlando, this water park will make you feel like Captain Nemo again.

Visitors get to feed and pet dolphins (the fish feed doesn't come cheap though) at the Dolphin Cove; see the famous killer whale, Shamu, do wonderful performances; and learn about the gentle giants, manatees.

Shake off those bad memories of 'Crocodile Hunter', Steve Irwin, and touch stingrays at the Stingray Lagoon. Also, enter a frozen wonderland and come face to face with walruses, beluga whales and a polar bear, who is pretty much a loner so don't be put off by the cold shoulder.

Bumpy virtual ride

Opt to journey through a 60-foot tunnel and face sharks or take a holiday from reality and enjoy, or endure, a bumpy virtual ride into polar regions. Couple o' scaredy-cats were screaming their heads off! Get real.

And if you wanna get wet, hop into any of its slew of water rides and end your vacation with a splash.

Both Busch Gardens and SeaWorld are massive properties - 35 acres and 200 acres, respectively - so chin up, bag that Radian B, and walk like there's no tomorrow. If your legs can't take the pressure, Seaworld rents tons of scooter-like vehicles to have a comfortable ride.

When the hunger bug bites, there are lots of restaurants and quick-stop vendors at both amusement parks to please your palate. Note: The animals are not on the menu, so don't play smart and order sautéed stingray or shark-and-bake.

For your next getaway, try Busch Gardens or Seaworld, and enter a world where nature reigns.

Email us details of your latest travel adventure. We'd love to hear from you. Link us at saturdaylife@gleanerjm.com.