busch gardens safari virginia

Virginia's Only Drive-Thru Safari

Virginia safari park is home to king cheetah, africa's rarest cat, fun for the entire family, experience unique animal encounters, explore our 180-acre safari drive-thru, stroll through our 10-acre village walk-thru, the virginia safari park is open for the 2024 season. plan your visit, attractions.

You can interact with our animals safely from your vehicle while exploring our drive-thru safari, on foot walking through our village walk-thru, or up close during a special, behind-the-scenes encounter with sloths, rhinos, or penguins.

Safari Drive-Thru

Village Walk-Thru

Animal Feeding

Animal Encounters

Important information.

The VIRGINIA SAFARI PARK, a 180-acre drive-through zoo located in Natural Bridge, VA, is NOT associated with the Natural Bridge Zoo, which is also located in Natural Bridge.

Unfortunately, with the recent legal issues and press coverage surrounding the Natural Bridge Zoo we have found it necessary to post this clarification. We have been contacted by many sources that have inadvertently confused the two zoos.

Our official website is www.virginiasafaripark.com. Please beware of copycat imitations. Again, the VIRGINIA SAFARI PARK is NOT associated with the Natural Bridge Zoo and never has been.

Thank you for your understanding.

Events & news, featured animals.

Get to know our resident animals. We spotlight a few featured animals and teach you about their eating habits, their status in the wild and statistics, like their average weight, height and more.

Giant Anteater

King Cheetah

The Virginia Safari Park is hands down one of the best zoo experiences I’ve ever had!,”

Jahmelia B.

Buy tickets

Conservation

Our Mission

Virginia Safari Park is dedicated to wildlife conservation. We serve this mission by educating our visitors, caring for our resident animals and supporting organizations. Learn more

Our Zoofari Parks Conservation Grants program helps fund wildlife and habitat programs in the U.S. and abroad. Learn about the latest recipients and how to apply for a grant. Learn more

Follow Us on Instagram

Get up close and personal when you book a behind-the-scenes encounter!

Your browser is not supported for this experience. We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari.

Busch Gardens Williamsburg

Top ways to experience Busch Gardens Williamsburg and nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Busch Gardens Williamsburg - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• 1 Busch Gardens Blvd., Williamsburg, VA 23185
• District: Regional

Virginia Beach Vacation Guide

Sign up for our newsletter.

• Privacy Policy
• International
• Accessibility

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Sweepstakes
• Destinations

Ride Roller Coasters Through Italy, France, and Germany at This European-themed Amusement Park in Virginia

Here's everything you need to know about Busch Gardens Williamsburg before you visit.

Evie Carrick is a writer and editor who’s lived in five countries and visited well over 50. She now splits her time between Colorado and Paris, ensuring she doesn't have to live without skiing or L'As du Fallafel.

If a European vacation isn’t in the cards for you this year, a visit to Williamsburg, Virginia could do the trick. At Busch Gardens Williamsburg, visitors are transported — by train, no less — through Germany , France, Italy, Ireland, Scotland, and England. You can build a loaded baked potato at Ireland’s O’Tators before digging into a cannoli in Italy’s Marco Polo’s Marketplace . Then, head to Germany for OktoberZest , a show that promises to entertain with music and dancing that celebrates the German culture.

Once the novelty of a European-themed park has worn off — there are the rides. And the Busch Gardens roller coasters don’t disappoint. The park is home to rides like Griffon , which drops passengers 205 feet at 75 miles per hour, and Apollo's Chariot, which is consistently given top marks by Golden Ticket Awards .

Ready to strap in for a thrilling trip to America’s little Europe? Here’s everything you need to know before visiting Busch Gardens Williamsburg.

When to Visit Busch Gardens Williamsburg

Busch Gardens in Virginia is a seasonal park, so it closes in early January and reopens in mid-March every year. As you’d expect, the park is busiest over summer holiday weekends — including Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day. But keep in mind the park is also packed during their Halloween-themed Howl-O-Scream weekends (running late September through late October) and Christmas Town weekends (Thanksgiving through early January).

If you want to avoid the crowds and maximize the number of rides you can take, visit during the week (particularly on Tuesdays and Wednesdays) or plan your trip around a non-holiday weekend. Regardless of when you visit Busch Gardens Williamsburg, arriving at the park before it opens will ensure can get in at least a few rides before it gets crowded.

How to Select the Best Busch Gardens Williamsburg Tickets

If you’re planning a summer or fall visit, the standard Busch Gardens 1-day ticket gives you access to the Virginia park for one day between March 15 and Nov. 1, 2020 for $88.99. During the Christmas Town season (November to January) ticket prices typically vary between $34.99 and $59.99, depending on the day.

Regardless of when you plan your trip to Virginia’s Busch Gardens, buying tickets online and in advance will ensure you secure the best prices.

Simplify the Busch Gardens Experience

Depending on what sort of park experience you have in mind, you might want to buy ticket add-ons in advance. If you want great seats to Celtic Fyre , an Irish step dancing show, paying a little extra will be well worth a reserved seat. And if you already know you and your crew are all about the food — add on an All-Day Dining Deal + Drinks, which will ensure you can get an entree, a side or dessert, and a drink every 90 minutes. Virginia’s Busch Gardens also offers quick queue access so you can enjoy priority status at your favorite rides and roller coasters .

To make life even easier, Busch Gardens Williamsburg has a Transferable Ride Locker Pass so you can secure your belongings while you hop on a ride, and a Quick Pay Cashless Wristband, so you can make purchases without fumbling for your wallet.

Hotels Near Busch Gardens VA

When it’s time to escape the buzz of the park, a hotel near Busch Gardens is the perfect place to stay. For a taste of luxury, a stay at the nearby Kingsmill Resort is in order. The property is Williamsburg’s only AAA Four Diamond Condominium Resort, and it boasts two championship golf courses, a spa, three pools (and a lazy river!), four restaurants, and most importantly, a location near Busch Gardens Williamsburg. The shuttle to and from the theme park is complementary and the service is top-notch.

In terms of proximity to the park, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Williamsburg is impossible to beat. The hotel has its own indoor and outdoor pool, 24-hour fitness center, game room, and an internet cafe. For an additional fee, you can hop on the daily shuttle to and from Busch Gardens.

Where to Eat at Busch Gardens Williamsburg

You can’t bring your own food into the park (other than single-serve sized snacks and water), so use it as a welcome excuse to eat at one of Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s many European-themed eateries.

Meat-lovers can head to New France’s Trapper's Smokehouse for barbecue ribs, chicken, and brisket. And everyone in the family will leave happy after a visit to the Marco Polo’s Marketplace — where you can choose from Italian, Mediterranean, and Asian meals.

Busch Gardens Roller Coasters You Won’t Want to Miss

In addition to tried and true Busch Gardens roller coasters — Apollo’s Chariot, Verbolten, Griffon, Alpengeist, and the Loch Ness Monster — you’ll want to swing by the new Finnegan’s Flyer , which swings passengers 80 feet into the air.

And, starting in 2020, Busch Gardens Williamsburg visitors can experience the fastest multi-launch roller coaster in the world. The Pantheon will have four launches, two inversions, a 95-degree drop, and will move at speeds up to 73 m.p.h.

• Colonial Williamsburg
• Yorktown VA – Events & Things to Do
• Busch Gardens Coupons
• Submit an Event to Calendar
• Subscribe to The Burg Weekender – a weekly email of things to do that upcoming weekend!
• Family Travel
• Volunteer Opportunities
• Pre-Schools in Williamsburg
• Private Schools – Williamsburg
• Public Schools – Williamsburg
• Public Schools – York County
• Homeschool and Virtual Resources for 2022-23 School Year
• Expecting and New Parents
• Local Groups
• Williamsburg Business Directory
• Party Directory
• Advertise on Sports & Classes
• Jobs and Hire and Student
• Monthly Contests
• Coupons & Deals
• Busch Gardens Season Pass Discounts

Kids Eat Free Williamsburg

• Terms of Use
• Advertise with Williamsburg Families
• Business In The Burg
• Advertise your business in our Summer Camp Fair Goodie Bags! Learn more:
• Williamsburg Summer Camp Fair 2024!
• Summer Camps Directory
• Williamsburg Summer Camp Fair Vendor Registration

Williamsburg Families

Williamsburg VA Things to do near me in Williamsburg, Busch Gardens, Colonial Williamsburg, Yorktown and James City County with kids

Day Tripper

Drive-Thru Safari Park is Open and a Fun Day Trip!

Drive-thru virginia safari park.

Looking for a fun day or weekend trip for the family? Virginia Safari Park in Natural Bridge, VA is a drive-through safari with free-roaming animals. In fact the 180-acre park is home to over 1,000 exotic animals from 6 continents including elk, gazelle, zebra & other exotic fauna. The park is approximately 200 miles from Williamsburg.

You drive through the park observing the animals and you can purchase specialty grain to feed them. We took our family recently and had a wonderful time.

I highly recommend the trip and purchasing the buckets of food. The animals will approach your vehicle in search of a tasty treat! You will laugh, squeal, and perhaps find food bits in your car for weeks.

I don’t recommend feeding animals through the sunroof unless you want it to “rain” feed all in your vehicle…

Not one but two elk peeking through the windows.

There is also a walk-thru area with giraffe feeding, petting area and even African penguins!

The great thing about the park is everyone enjoys it from the young to the old. Some are braver than others, so if you choose to just ride through the park or hold your bucket of feed for the animals to come up to the vehicle, you’re guaranteed a day of memories!

Virginia Safari Park 229 Safari Lane Natural Bridge, VA 24578 (540) 291-3205

Share this:

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
• Click to print (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on instagram (Opens in new window)

• Attractions

Recent Posts

The Burg Weekender & The Burg Weekly – our big list of events for the weekend and the week

The Burg Weekly just went out! It is for the following dates: April 15 - 19, 2024 This edition Continue Reading

William and Mary Theatre presents “A Year with Frog and Toad” next as part of their 2023 – 2024 Season!

A Year with Frog and Toad APRIL 25-26 at 7:30 PMAPRIL 27-28 at 2:00 PMMusic: Robert Reale and Continue Reading

Little Shop of Horrors at Williamsburg Players runs from April 5 to April 21, 2024

Little Shop of Horrors at Williamsburg Players Williamsburg Players presents, Little Continue Reading

Merchants Square Spring Sidewalk Sale, Friday April 19 – Sunday, April 21, 2024

Don't Miss the Spring Sidewalk Sale in Merchants Square, Williamsburg Merchants Square Spring Continue Reading

Yorktown Market Days Farmers Market is weekly on Saturdays from 8 am to noon beginning April 13, 2024

Yorktown Market Days Farmers Market is weekly on Saturdays from 8 am to noon - the regular season Continue Reading

COME TO THE SOCIAL TERRACE EVENT FOR THE FASTEST TWO MINUTES IN SPORTS – THE 150TH RUNNING OF THE KENTUCKY DERBY

COME TO THE SOCIAL TERRACE EVENT FOR THE FASTEST TWO MINUTES IN SPORTS & THE 150TH RUNNING OF Continue Reading

Sister Cities French Market in Yorktown – April 20th – Learn more…

Sister Cities French Market in Yorktown - April 20th - from 8 AM – 3 PM It’s one of our Continue Reading

Prodigy Performing Arts Summer Camps and Programs

Prodigy Performing Arts Company offers dance, musical theater, and acrobatics classes and camps. Continue Reading

Where to find the lambs in Colonial Williamsburg

The Lambs are out in Colonial Williamsburg...but where? It happens every spring - baby lambkins Continue Reading

Pirate Invasion comes to Yorktown – April 27 and 28

Pirates Invade Yorktown Ye are invited to travel back to the Golden Age of Piracy as Riverwalk Continue Reading

Williamsburg Party Directory

• Busch Gardens Williamsburg
• Colonial Williamsburg Events
• Yorktown VA – Events & Things to Do
• Daily Events Calendar
• Seasonal Events

Is The Serengeti Safari At Busch Gardens Worth It?

The Serengeti Safari at Busch Gardens is an exhilarating adventure that takes you on a captivating journey through the heart of the African savannah. This experience offers a unique and up-close encounter with a diverse array of wildlife, from graceful giraffes to majestic lions. 

As you contemplate your next thrilling escapade, we’ll unravel the secrets behind this safari, exploring the experience lives up to the hype. Is the serengeti safari at Busch Gardens worth it? A journey to discover if the Serengeti Safari is not just an excursion but an investment in unforgettable memories.

The Serengeti Safari at Busch Gardens promises an immersive wildlife experience that captivates both thrill-seekers and nature enthusiasts. This unique adventure takes you on an open-air vehicle through the African savannah. Where you can witness giraffes, lions, and rhinos up close. 

Table of Contents

Busch Gardens Safari Virginia

Nestled in the heart of Virginia, Busch Gardens Safari is a haven for adventure seekers and wildlife enthusiasts alike. This immersive park offers a unique blend of thrilling rides and captivating animal encounters. Providing visitors with a safari experience like no other. 

Roam through lush landscapes, witness the grace of giraffes, and feel the excitement of getting up close with exotic creatures. Beyond the rides and attractions, Busch Gardens Safari is a sanctuary for education, conservation, and unforgettable moments. 

Big Is The Safari At Busch Gardens

Embark on a grand adventure at Busch Gardens, where the safari experience looms large in excitement and discovery. The vastness of the safari unfolds like a panorama, offering a spectacle of untamed beauty. Picture expansive landscapes as your open-air vehicle navigates through the heart of the African savannah. 

Here, the scale of encounters matches the stature of the wildlife towering giraffes, mighty lions, and majestic rhinos. The safari isn’t merely a glimpse into the wild. It’s a colossal immersion, where the scale of nature’s wonders leaves an indelible mark on your journey. At Busch Gardens, the safari is more than big; it’s an epic exploration.

The Serengeti Safari Experience

Embark on an extraordinary adventure with the Serengeti Safari at Busch Gardens. This immersive experience transcends the ordinary, allowing you to witness the wonders of the African savannah up close. Picture yourself on an open-air vehicle, weaving through expansive landscapes, encountering graceful giraffes, majestic lions, and playful zebras. 

Beyond passive observation, the safari offers interactive moments to feed giraffes and connect with the untamed beauty of the Serengeti. It’s a gateway to a world where wildlife thrives, and every moment becomes a cherished memory. The use of Straw with Tack , ensuring safety for gardens, makes the Serengeti Safari an indispensable part of your Busch Gardens adventure.

Benefits Of Choosing The Safari

Selecting the Serengeti Safari at Busch Gardens isn’t just about a wild adventure—it’s a choice laden with benefits. Beyond the thrill of up-close wildlife encounters, this safari offers educational insights into conservation. It’s a journey that not only entertains but enlightens, creating memories with a purpose.

Ticket Prices And Inclusions

Determining the value of your adventure begins with understanding the ticket prices and inclusions of the Serengeti Safari at Busch Gardens. The cost of admission not only grants access to the park’s wonders but also unlocks the gateway to a unique wildlife encounter. 

As you delve into the pricing details, consider the added perks – from guided tours to interactive experiences with giraffes and rhinos. The ticket becomes more than a mere entry pass; it becomes your passport to an immersive journey through the African savannah. 

Visitor Reviews And Experiences

Embarking on the Serengeti Safari at Busch Gardens is not just a journey into the wild but a tapestry of unique encounters painted by the visitors themselves. Stepping into the realm of this adventure, individuals share awe-struck moments of feeding giraffes, the excitement of observing rhinos up close, and the sheer joy of being part of the Serengeti’s vibrant landscape.

As we sift through visitor reviews, their experiences become a vibrant mosaic a testament to the safari’s ability to weave together thrilling wildlife encounters and educational insights. Their stories, whether gleaming with positivity or harboring concerns, provide a real-life perspective, enriching the allure of the Serengeti Safari.

Comparing The Serengeti Safari To A Journey

Embarking on the Serengeti Safari at Busch Gardens worth is not just a tour; it’s a transformative journey into the heart of nature’s wonders. Picture it as an open invitation to explore the untamed beauty of the African savannah, where each moment feels like a step into a living, breathing story. 

The Serengeti Safari is akin to a carefully crafted narrative, with giraffes gracefully weaving through the landscape, lions asserting their majestic presence, and rhinos offering an intimate connection with the wild. It’s not merely observing wildlife; it’s immersing yourself in a narrative where every creature plays a vital role in an unforgettable journey.

What sets the Serengeti Safari apart from other attractions at Busch Gardens?

The safari provides a unique opportunity for up-close encounters with wildlife, allowing guests to feed giraffes, observe rhinos, and experience the untamed beauty of the Serengeti.

Is the cost of the Serengeti Safari justified in terms of the experience it offers?

Many visitors find the cost worthwhile, considering the immersive encounters, educational aspects, and the memories created during this unique safari adventure.

Can I purchase Serengeti Safari tickets separately, or are they included in the general park admission?

The Serengeti Safari tickets are usually sold separately from general admission. It’s advisable to check the current pricing and availability when planning your visit to Busch Gardens.

The Serengeti Safari at Busch Gardens worth emerges as a worthwhile and unforgettable experience. The adventure goes beyond a mere attraction, offering a unique blend of excitement, education, and intimate encounters with majestic wildlife. From the thrill of feeding giraffes to the awe-inspiring presence of lions, every moment contributes to a tapestry of memories. 

While the cost may be a consideration, the value derived from this immersive journey into the heart of the Serengeti is immeasurable. For those seeking an adventure that transcends the ordinary, the Serengeti Safari proves to be a treasure trove of enchantment and wonder.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Recent Posts

Gardeners Supply

What Does Don’t Tread On Me Mean?

Sims 3 How To Gardening

Which Gardening Zone Am I In?

What Zone Am I In For Gardening?

What Gardening Zone Is Seattle?

What Is My Gardening Zone?

What Gardening Zone Am I In?

Explore the green world of gardening with expert tips, plant care guides, and inspiration for a vibrant, blooming garden oasis.

Terms Of Services

Privacy Policy

February 7, 2024

February 1, 2024

January 29, 2024

© 2023 GardeningPolo.com All Rights Reserved

Your browser is not supported for this experience. We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari.

visitors guide

Sign up for our

Enewsletter.

Loch Ness Monster returns to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, celebrating 46 years

J AMES CITY COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — The legendary Loch Ness Monster ride is making a comeback at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, celebrating 46 years as one of the amusement park’s iconic attractions.

On Friday, May 10, the Loch Ness Monster will return to Busch Gardens . Members will be able to get exclusive access to ride the new attraction from May 3 to May 5.

Established in 1978, it became the world’s first interlocking loop coaster. According to Busch Garden, the attraction will be fully restored with new elements and effects.

In addition, the ride will now include new storytelling features and a soundtrack inspired by the Loch Ness Monster.

Guests can expect to plummet over 100 feet, roll over two interlocking loops and enjoy speeds of up to 60 miles per hour, according to Busch Gardens.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRIC ABC 8News.