When Busch Gardens Tampa Bay announced its largest animal habitat expansion in more than a decade, the expectations were sky-high. The new Edge of Africa’s Lion & Hyena Ridge will reshape one of the park’s most iconic areas, adding over 35,000 square feet of naturalistic terrain, kopje rockwork, immersive viewing areas, and two multifunctional habitats designed for animal wellness and guest experiences.
A project of this scale — and this visibility — required a sitework partner with proven experience, reliability, and the ability to execute without compromise. That’s exactly why Busch Gardens selected Site Serve USA as the primary contracting company for all sitework.
Built for Complex Projects
Busch Gardens needed a team that understands more than just dirt work. They needed a contractor who understands:
- How to build around active guest areas
- How to manage heavy equipment safely inside a live theme park
- How to coordinate work with animal care, keepers, veterinarians, and park operations
- How to develop terrain that supports both guest pathways and advanced animal habitats
Site Serve checks every box.
With years of experience handling complex commercial projects throughout Florida — including resorts, athletic facilities, high-traffic campuses, and environmental land-shaping — Site Serve brings a level of precision and professionalism that theme park construction demands.
Why Site Serve Was Selected
Busch Gardens reviewed multiple contractors before choosing Site Serve. The decision came down to several key factors:
1. Proven Reliability in High-Pressure Environments
Theme parks can’t shut down. Construction must be safe, fast, quiet when required, and always coordinated around guests and animals.
Site Serve is known for delivering exactly that: no surprises, no delays, no corners cut.
2. Expertise in Large-Scale Earthwork & Grading
The new habitat expansion required:
- Significant terrain reshaping
- Precision grading
- Drainage planning
- Foundation preparation for rockwork, viewing shelters, and water features
Site Serve’s team specializes in building environments from the ground up — literally.
3. A Reputation for Working Seamlessly With Other Trades
This project involves rockwork engineers, exhibit designers, zoological experts, and structural teams. Site Serve was chosen because they communicate clearly, stay organized, and work efficiently alongside everyone on-site.
4. Safety Standards That Match Busch Gardens’ Expectations
Animal habitats require unique safety protocols. Site Serve maintains certified training, strict safety procedures, and documentation that meets or exceeds theme park requirements.
5. A Track Record of Finishing On Time
For a highly publicized expansion coming in 2026, timelines matter.
Site Serve’s scheduling, equipment capacity, and manpower give Busch Gardens confidence that every phase will hit its mark.
Shaping the Future of Edge of Africa
The new Lion & Hyena Ridge will include:
- Naturalistic kopje rock formations
- Elevated viewing areas with 270° angles
- Interconnected habitats with rotating enrichment zones
- A redesigned entrance and guest pathway system
Site Serve is responsible for preparing the land that will support all of it. Their work sets the foundation — literally — for everything guests will experience when this expansion opens.
A Partnership That Makes Sense
Busch Gardens needed a contractor they could trust with one of the most visible additions in years. Site Serve brought the experience, the reputation, and the team to make it happen.
This project is more than dirt and rockwork — it’s a showcase of engineering, animal welfare design, and guest immersion. And Site Serve is proud to help bring it to life.