Lowry Park Zoo: Safari Africa

African elephant at Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, Florida.Tampa, Florida: The newest additions to Lowry Park Zoo, Safari Africa brings the animals of the safari right to the west coast of Florida. The region became more diverse with the addition of the Ituri Forest, making it one of the most realistic African experience available.

Safari Africa is the largest portion of the park. The vast savannah is home to some of the parks more popular residents. Here you will find elephants, camels, zebras, gazelles, African penguins, rhinos, giraffes and more. You also have the ability to interact with some of the animals of the safari by feeding the giraffes and white rhinos or take a ride on the back of a Dromedary camel.

The Ituri Forest portion of Safari Africa is an animal habitat developed to represent the dense rainforest found along the Congo River. Along the trail you will encounter cheetahs, okapi, pygmy hippos and red river hogs.

Two of the parks rides can also be found in Safari Africa. Here you can board the Safari Ride, a fifteen minute ride through the savannah with a up-close and behind the scenes look at the animals of the plain. The other ride located here is the Treetop Skyfari, a gondola style ride that provides an roundtrip aerial view of the park with views of the city of Tampa as well.

If the touring of Africa makes you hungry, there are a few food choices to be found here. Reilly's Reserve is a new family style restaurant that provides gourmet meals overlooking the safari. If a formal seated meal is not what you have in mind, Safari Lodge provides a food court style dining with a menu of everyday eats for the whole family. Finally there is the Congo Trading Company, a snack stand in the Ituri Forest providing drinks and snacks.

So for an authentic African experience without the shots and travel expenses, visit Lowry Park Zoo and spend some time in Safari Africa.

For photos from the zoo, visit my Lowry Park Zoo photo gallery.

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