The working Land Rover Defenders used in the Rhino Rally are modified extensively to seat up to 17 passengers and one driver. Their 110-inch wheelbases have been stretched to 147 inches to accommodate the passengers. Four roof-mounted fog lamps illuminate the terrain of the park's "Serengeti Plain." A full complement of off-road equipment, including spare tires, a tire jack, ladders and full brush bars add to the authenticity of the vehicles.
Snorkels — elevated air intake mounts attached to many Land Rovers used in extreme off-road adventures — allow the vehicle's engine to take in air during the wild-river portion of the Rhino Rally adventure. The Defender vehicles, of which 16 were built for Busch Gardens Tampa Bay's Rhino Rally, were manufactured in the United Kingdom by Land Rover and modified in-house by Land Rover Special Vehicles, an operation that builds specialty one-off and fleet vehicles for individuals and government organizations, including militaries.
Complete Rhino Rally information, including ride and animal facts, bit streaming animation and video can be found at www.rhinorally.com.