Montu is a steel inverted roller coaster located in the Egypt section of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in Tampa, Florida. Designed by Swiss manufacturer Bolliger & Mabillard and opened on May 16, 1996, it towers 150 feet tall and sends riders hurtling through seven inversions at 60 mph across nearly 4,000 feet of track — all while their legs dangle freely beneath open-air cars suspended below the rail.
Named after the ancient Egyptian hawk-headed god of war, Montu was the world’s tallest and fastest inverted coaster when it debuted, and the first inverted coaster ever to feature seven inversions or an Immelmann loop. Although later B&M designs have since claimed those individual records, Montu has remained one of the most complete and forceful inverted coaster experiences in the country for nearly three decades.
Stats at a Glance
- Park: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Tampa, Florida
- Manufacturer: Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M)
- Opened: May 16, 1996
- Height: 150 ft (46 m)
- Top Speed: 60 mph (97 km/h)
- Length: 3,983 ft (1,214 m)
- Inversions: 7
- G-Force: 3.8
The Ride Experience
Riders board trains with cars suspended beneath the track, feet dangling free, before cresting the lift hill and plunging down a 128-foot first drop. The train accelerates to 60 mph and launches into a relentless sequence of inversions: two vertical loops, an Immelmann loop, a zero-g roll, a batwing, and a corkscrew. The batwing — a signature element on B&M inverted designs — snaps riders through two consecutive inversions in rapid succession, generating up to 3.8 Gs.
The immersive Egypt-themed environment adds to the intensity, with the track weaving around towering obelisks, stone archways, and buried temple ruins. Three trains run simultaneously, giving Montu a throughput of around 1,710 riders per hour despite its long 3-minute ride cycle.
A Record-Setter With Staying Power
When Montu opened in 1996 it held the dual titles of tallest and fastest inverted coaster in the world, and it introduced two firsts for the invert format: seven inversions in a single layout and the Immelmann loop element. Alpengeist at sister park Busch Gardens Williamsburg later surpassed it on height and speed, but Montu’s unusually long track and dense inversion count have kept its reputation intact.
Nearly 30 years after opening, Montu consistently ranks among the top steel coasters in Florida and in enthusiast polls worldwide. Its combination of B&M’s characteristically smooth ride, a punishing inversion sequence, and a theatrical Egyptian setting makes it a standout even in a park that includes Kumba, Tigris, and Iron Gwazi.
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Montu FAQs
What type of roller coaster is Montu?
Montu is a steel inverted coaster built by Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M). Riders sit in open-air cars that hang beneath the track with their legs free, which amplifies the sensation of every inversion. It opened at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay on May 16, 1996.
How many inversions does Montu have?
Montu has seven inversions: two vertical loops, an Immelmann loop, a zero-g roll, a batwing (which passes through two inversions in sequence), and a corkscrew. When it opened in 1996 it was the first inverted coaster anywhere to feature seven inversions.
How does Montu compare to other inverted coasters?
Montu was the world’s tallest and fastest inverted coaster when it debuted in 1996. It has since conceded those individual records to Alpengeist at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, but its 3,983-foot layout and seven inversions give it one of the most complete and sustained inversion sequences of any inverted coaster still operating.
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Photo: Suedepop at en.wikipedia / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.