The Penguin Insider Tour allows guests to get up close with the park’s African penguins located at Penguin Point in Nairobi.
History
The Penguin Insider Tour was introduced in the Fall of 2015 at a cost of $29 per person. The park advertised it as an all-new interactive experience allowing guests to join trainers behind the scenes and get up close with African penguins. When introduced, the 30-minute tour was available for a maximum of eight guests ages eight and above, and took place at noon. Check-in took place at the Serengeti Outpost in Nairobi.
During Christmas Town 2015, the Penguin Insider Tour was included in the upcharge Christmas Town VIP Experience.
By 2018, the minimum age for the tour was changed to five, bringing it in line with many of the other tours available at the park. Pricing remained at $29 per person.
As of Summer 2019, the tour was available daily (except Mondays) at 11:30 a.m. Pricing was $29.99 per guest, and the minimum age for the tour remained at five years old.
As of January 2021, the tour was being offered at 3:30 p.m. every day except Wednesday. Starting March 10, 2021, the tour was scheduled to run daily except Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Pricing for the tour was $29.99 on every day it was offered except Saturdays when the price was listed as $39.99. Pass member discounts applied. To maintain social distancing, a maximum of six guests per tour was allowed.
Sources:
Busch Gardens Tampa | Nov 3 2015 – accessed 11/25/2015
Busch Gardens Tampa | Dec 22 2015 – accessed 2/2/2016
Busch Gardens Tampa | Penguin Insider – accessed 10/31/2015
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay | Penguin Insider Tour – accessed 11/18/2018
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay | Penguin Insider Tour – accessed 6/28/2019
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay | Penguin Insider Tour – accessed 1/2/2021
Last update: January 2, 2021