Kumba opened on April 21, 1993, at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in Tampa, Florida, instantly rewriting the state’s coaster record books as Florida’s tallest, fastest, and longest roller coaster of its era. Built by Swiss manufacturer Bolliger and Mabillard, the ride stands 143 feet tall, reaches 60 mph, and winds through 3,978 feet of steel track packed with seven inversions.
The name ‘Kumba’ means ‘roar’ in Kikongo, a Central African language, and the coaster lives up to that billing at every twist. Kumba was the first B&M design in the world to feature interlocking corkscrews, and at opening it boasted the world’s tallest vertical loop — a 114-foot ring of steel that held the record until 1995. Decades later, it remains Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s oldest operating coaster and one of Florida’s most celebrated steel classics.
Stats at a Glance
- Park: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Tampa, FL
- Manufacturer: Bolliger and Mabillard
- Opened: April 21, 1993
- Height: 143 ft (44 m)
- Drop: 135 ft (41 m)
- Top Speed: 60 mph (97 km/h)
- Length: 3,978 ft (1,212 m)
- Inversions: 7
The Ride Experience
From the moment riders crest the chain lift hill, Kumba delivers a relentless sequence of elements: a 114-foot vertical loop that encircles the lift structure itself, a sweeping dive loop, a weightless zero-G roll, a cobra roll, and the signature interlocking corkscrews that Kumba pioneered when it debuted in 1993. G-forces peak at 3.8, and the full circuit lasts just under three minutes with almost no time to recover between hits.
Kumba’s trains seat 32 riders across eight cars, four abreast per row. Open-shoulder restraints leave an unobstructed view of each approaching inversion, sharpening the anticipation before every drop and twist. At 60 mph on track that rarely straightens out, the pacing remains relentless from first drop to final brake run.
Records and Legacy
When Kumba debuted in April 1993, it simultaneously claimed Florida’s tallest, fastest, and longest coaster titles — a rare triple distinction earned in a single season. Its 114-foot vertical loop was also the tallest in the world until Dragon Khan opened in Spain in 1995. The interlocking corkscrew configuration Kumba introduced has since become a recognizable hallmark of B&M coaster design worldwide.
More than 30 years after its debut, Kumba still operates in the Congo section of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and carries the distinction of being the park’s oldest active coaster. The structural durability and enduring guest appeal that have defined this landmark ride since its opening day show no signs of fading.
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Kumba FAQs
What does the name Kumba mean?
Kumba means ‘roar’ in Kikongo, a Central African language. The name fits the Congo-themed section of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay where the coaster is located.
How many inversions does Kumba have?
Kumba has seven inversions: a vertical loop, a dive loop, a zero-G roll, a cobra roll, and interlocking corkscrews.
What records did Kumba hold when it opened?
When Kumba opened in 1993, it was Florida’s tallest, fastest, and longest roller coaster. It also held the world record for tallest vertical loop at 114 feet until Dragon Khan surpassed it in 1995.
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Photo: Jeremy Thompson from United States of America / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.