Insider's Guide: The Rides at Busch Gardens Tampa, Florida

If you're planning a day enjoying the huge selection of rides at Busch Gardens in Tampa, Florida, you may be curious about what each of the rides is like, what the height restrictions are, and you might want a little insight about the nature of the rides. Busch Gardens in Tampa offers several high-speed thrill rides and a number of less-intense rides that everybody in your group will enjoy.

Check out what each of the rides at Busch Gardens Tampa has to offer...

Roller Coasters

Shei'Kra

Shei'Kra is a dive roller coaster. Opened in 2005, Shei'Kra plunges riders down a 20-story-tall drop straight down (yes, 90 degrees straight down, folks!). The brave riders experience over 3-Gs of force, speeds of 70 MPH, and an immelmann loop, and another steep drop at some 15 stories tall before coasting back into the loading station.

Guests must be 54 inches tall to ride Shei'Kra.

Gwazi

Gwazi is a dueling wooden roller coaster. With 2 unique tracks serpentining in and around each other (one track is called Tiger, the other Lion), Gwazi packs speeds of over 50 MPH and brings both trains on near collision courses 7 times throughout the ride.

Guests must be 48 inches tall to board Gwazi.

Montu

Montu is an inverted roller coaster that hangs its riders from under its track and glides them through loops, spins, and plunging dives from over 130 feet over the sands of Egypt. Montu boasts nearly 4,000 feet of track and powerful G-forces on several points of the ride. Montu also has an Immelmann element that brings riders feet seemingly within inches of a towering pylon near the entrance of the ride.

You must be at least 54 inches tall to ride Montu.

Kumba

Kumba roars its way through the jungles of the Congo. With 7 inversions and what was at the time of its opening the tallest vertical loop in the world, Kumba thrills guests with its powerful forces of speed and intensity every bit as much today as it did when it debuted in 1993.

Kumba, standing over 140 feet tall in the northern end of Busch Gardens, includes such elements as a zero-gravity roll atop a camel back hump and a 110-foot-tall dive loop.

Guests must be 54 inches tall to ride Kumba.

Scorpion

Busch Gardens' oldest currently running roller coaster has been stinging guests since 1980. The Scorpion is a classic steel roller coaster boasting an intense vertical loop and a dizzying series of helixes. One of the few remaining roller coasters of its kind, the Scorpion is awaiting you in the Timbuktu area of the park near the Desert Grill restaurant.

Guests 42 inches in height and taller may ride the Scorpion, making it a perfect ride to introduce to young, budding roller coaster enthusiasts.

Cheetah Chase

Don't let the size of this ride fool you. Cheetah Chase may look small, but its thrills are sharp and surprising. Hang on as Cheetah Chase hurtles you through a series of hairpin turns and sharp curves.

Cheetah Chase is located near Timbuktu Theater and the Phoenix in Timbuktu.

Riders must be at least 46 inches tall and at least 6 years old to ride Cheetah Chase.

Air Grover

Air Grover is a junior roller coaster thrilling young guests in the Sesame Street Safari of Fun - one of the newest attractions at Busch Gardens.

Enjoy the ride as Grover - every kid's friend from the popular children's TV show Sesame Street - takes young guests through a fun trip of turns and twists.

Guests must be at least 38 inches tall to ride Air Grover, though those under 42 inches need to bring along a trustworthy person at least 14 years old. Guests over 56 inches tall must be accompanied by a young child meeting the height requirements.

Water Rides

Stanley Falls Log Flume

Opened in 1973, the Stanley Falls Log Flume is the oldest thrill ride still operating at Busch Gardens in its original form. Getting wet on Stanley Falls Log Flume is a hit or miss affair, but you can always guarantee sharing some good times on the winding trip you'll take... and a good scream down the 30- and 40-foot drops on the Stanley Falls Log Flume is a must!

Guests as young as 2 years may accompany a rider aged 14 or older; otherwise, guests must be at least 48 inches tall.

Tanganyika Tidal Wave

A quiet jungle cruise suddenly takes a wild turn - er, drop - when your boat plunges 55 feet down a hill into a pool of water guaranteed to soak you and everybody else in the area!

Guests must be at least 48 inches tall to ride the Tanganyika Tidal Wave.

Congo River Rapids

A white water rafting ride through the wild river of Congo's jungles threatens to drench you, so hang on tight - and grab a poncho if you have any thoughts of getting off the ride dry!

Guests must be at least 42 inches tall to ride the Congo River Rapids.

Twist And Shout

Phoenix

This looping star ship takes riders upside down high above the sandy grounds of Timbuktu.

Guests must be at least 48 inches tall to ride the Phoenix.

Ubanga Banga Bumper Cars

Drive like a maniac and give a friendly tap to the motorists driving aside you on the Ubanga-Banga bumper cars.

Guests must be at least 42 inches tall to enjoy Ubanga Banga Bumper Cars.

Sandstorm

Hold on tight as the sandstorm spins you nearly into orbit!

Guests must be at least 42 inches tall to ride the Sandstorm.

Wild Surge

Ready, set, blast off - up the side of a waterfall!

Guests as short as 38 inches may ride Wild surge if accompanied by somebody aged 14 years or older.

Resources

Personal and first-hand knowledge and experience
Busch Gardens Tampa Map