A Walk on the Wild Side

On April 4, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay opened Jungala-a four-acre addition featuring two new signature rides and a multitiered exotic animal habitat-with a gala set amidst a colorful village deep in the jungle. Theme park V.I.P.s, city officials, and guests gathered to explore the park, with surprises turning up around every corner, as well as food, drink, and a special musical performance by Blues Traveler.

Attendees dined on an assortment of eats in Jungala's African outpost courtyard, surrounded by two new restaurants, Bengal Bistro and Orang Café. Everything from Outback Steakhouse's rare ahi tuna to Saddlebrook Resort's featured seared sea scallops in a Dijon glaze was served. Catch Twenty-Three, Bonefish Grill, Tradewinds Island Grand, and GrillSmith were also among those who provided an array of bites.The theme park's event planners urged guests to wear "safari chic" attire to allow for comfort at the many entertainment options offered throughout the evening. Each lush green bend of the Jungala pathway showcased entertaining, as well as educational, elements, including zoo educators inviting guests to interact one on one with animals such as lemurs and toucans. Stiltwalkers wearing whimsical tribal-inspired costumes roamed throughout the gala, enticing attendees to dance and join in on the festivities.

In addition, Splash! Paint in Motion entertainment had performance artists painting tigers, orangutans, and tropical birds on black canvas in front of hundreds of onlookers. Each painting was then auctioned off in the gift shop as guests exited as an additional fund-raiser for the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund.

As the evening wore on, many guests took a walk on the wild side when they climbed aboard SheiKra, North America's only floorless "dive" coaster, which features a 90-degree drop. For the non-thrill-seekers in attendance, the gala wrapped up with a grand finale concert by Blue Traveler in the park's Stanleyville Theater.