Are you ready to take on the best rides at Busch Gardens Tampa?
Well, hold on tight thrill seekers, we are about to make your screams come true.
ThemeParkHipster knows all the heart-pounding twists and turns of the awesome rides at Busch Gardens.
Today I am rolling out the top 10 best rides at Busch Gardens Tampa so you don’t miss out on a minute of fun.
So, buckle yourself in, and let’s get this coaster going!
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1. Montu
This inverted steel roller coaster remains to be a classic favorite through time. (I may be a bit biased since it ranks at the top of my list of rides at Busch Gardens Tampa).
But nothing compares to this steel masterpiece!
It’s one unpredictable Egyptian-themed coaster reaching speeds of 60 miles per hour (mph).
Why This is One of Best Rides at Busch Gardens Tampa
Montu stands out from the crowd for its seven inversions along a track of almost 4,000 feet and towers at 150 feet tall.
But what I love most is that through all its loops (including Immelmann loops), twisty turns, intense drop of 128 feet, wild corkscrew, and even zero gravity roll, it is one super smooth ride as you are being flipped and whipped around.
Stats for Montu Roller Coaster at Busch Gardens Tampa
- Opening Date: May 16, 1996
- Montu’s Height: 150 feet
- Top Montu Speed: 60 mph
- Duration: 3 minutes
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2. Iron Gwazi
Iron Gwazi is the ultimate fusion of classic and new.
With its wooden frame and steel track it still gives you the bone-chilling trembles that wooden roller coasters are known for.
Why This is One of Best Rides at Busch Gardens Tampa
The hybrid coaster has become one of the top rides at Busch Gardens Tampa with theme park fans for its extreme thrills.
Hitting record speeds of 76 mph, hang on for dear life, it is the fastest of its kind in the world.
Plus it’s considered to be one of the steepest across the globe and tallest in North America it boasts a peak of 206 foot tall.
With three inversions, countless airtime moments, and a drop of 91 degrees, it is a ride of a lifetime.
Stats for Iron Gwazi Roller Coaster at Busch Gardens Tampa
- Opening Date: March 11, 2022
- Iron Gwazi Height: 206 feet
- Top Iron Gwazi Speed: 76 mph
- Duration: 1 minute and 50 seconds
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3. Kumba
Kumba has become known as one of the legendary rides at Busch Gardens Tampa and is still a favorite in my books.
I can never get enough of that first drop that plunges you down 135 feet and then soars you into loops and spirals.
Why This is One of Best Rides at Busch Gardens Tampa
This classic steel roller coaster is anything but ordinary and remains to be top-rated with one of the largest vertical loops in the world.
At one point you will feel complete weightlessness that lasts a thrilling 3 seconds.
Stats for Kumba Roller Coaster at Busch Gardens Tampa
- Opening Date: April 20, 1993
- Kumba Height: 143 feet
- Top Kumba Speed: 60 mph
- Duration: 2 minutes and 54 seconds
4. Cheetah Hunt
Cheetah Hunt has you soaring like the fastest animal on the planet through the wild – the cheetah.
This iconic triple-launch roller coaster will always be on my list of rides at Busch Gardens Tampa that you MUST experience.
It’s a classic thriller that holds the test of time and remains to be the longest ride at Busch Gardens.
Why This is One of Best Rides at Busch Gardens Tampa
Accelerating at cheetah speeds you feel like you are on a heart-pounding hunt as you race across the Savannah and into the treetops.
Three exhilarating launches and crazy twists and turns that keep you guessing fill your need for speed…and then some!
Stats for Cheetah Hunt Roller Coaster at Busch Gardens Tampa
- Opening Date: 2011
- Cheetah Hunt Height: 102 feet
- Top Cheetah Hunt Speed: 60 mph
- Duration: 3 minutes and 30 seconds
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5. SheiKra
I like to call SheiKra, the mother of ALL dive roller coasters!
This floorless dive roller coaster reaches lightning fast speeds of 70 mph, has a 200-foot drop that plummets you through the air with an intense Immelmann loop.
The grand splash at the end into the pool of water is the cherry on top of it all!
Why This is One of Best Rides at Busch Gardens Tampa
SheiKra is famous for its initial stomach lurching drop hurtling you down 90 degrees after teasing you for a bit up high above Busch Gardens.
Oh and did I mention it’s not just one nerve-racking drop, there are 2! Just in case the first one didn’t have your heart pumping enough.
Stats for SheiKra Roller Coaster at Busch Gardens Tampa
- Opening Date: 2005
- SheiKra Height: 200 feet
- Top SheiKra Speed: 70 mph
- Duration: 2 minutes 20 seconds
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6. Serengeti Flyer
It’s time to unleash your inner daredevil!
This screaming swing is the fastest and tallest of its type soaring you above the Serengeti Plain.
It is definitely the ultimate way to have a bird’s eye view of the sprawling 65 acres and all that roams beneath.
Why This is One of Best Rides at Busch Gardens Tampa
Serengeti Flyer makes our list of rides at Busch Gardens Tampa for those wanting something other than roller coasters.
But don’t be fooled, you are still going to be screaming and feeling the excitement.
It is two ginormous twin dueling arms swinging you high above, and higher…and higher. And there will be negative G moments throughout.
Yes, moments… plural, there are going to be multiple!
Stats for Serengeti Flyer at Busch Gardens Tampa
- Opening Date: February 27, 2023
- Serengeti Flyer Height: Reaches 135 feet tall
- Top Serengeti Flyer Speed: 68 mph
- Duration: About a minute and 20 seconds
7. Falcon’s Fury
Looming at 335 feet the tallest freestanding drop tower in North America is right here at Busch Gardens Tampa.
It is one free-falling adventure that will surely take your breath away…literally!
After you finally ascend to what feels like the depths of the sky, you can look out and see the beauty of Tampa.
But this is no time for photos! Hang on tight and catch your breath.
Because after tilting you face down below and dangling you above the park you are about to be shot down like a Falcon’s stoop to its prey.
Why This is One of Best Rides at Busch Gardens Tampa
There’s nothing like the rush of hurtling down into the earth reaching speeds of up to 60 mph as it feels like your soul leaves your body!
Falcon’s Fury is by far one of the top rides at Busch Gardens Tampa for adrenaline junkies and thrill seekers.
Stats for Falcon’s Fury Roller Coaster at Busch Gardens Tampa
- Opening Date: September 2, 2014
- Falcon’s Fury Height: 335 feet
- Top Falcon’s Fury Speed: 60 mph
- Duration: 2 minutes
8. Cobra’s Curse
It’s time to face your serpent fears!
Except this is one of the rides at Busch Gardens where the adventure begins in the queue before you even buckle your belt.
Through the underground cavern, you uncover the tale of the Serpent King before you take on the Cobra’s Curse giving you an awesome full-ride experience.
Why This is One of Best Rides at Busch Gardens Tampa
Riding up 70 vertical feet you are forced to gaze upon the idol of the Serpent King and brave his vicious fangs.
And now this is where the ride takes a bit of a turn! Hurtling along 2,100 feet of serpentine track you just never know what is going to happen next.
Literally, because this spinning roller coaster has you going backwards at the most unexpected times!
And you will never have the same ride twice, because your spinning is based on the weight of the other riders.
Stats for Cobra’s Curse Roller Coaster at Busch Gardens Tampa
- Opening Date: June 17, 2016
- Cobra’s Curse Height: 70 feet
- Top Cobra’s Curse Speed: 40 mph
- Duration: 3 minutes and 30 seconds
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9. Tigris
You aren’t going to want to eat right before you battle Tigris!
This wild ride is over 1800 feet of racing steel track that has you being catapulted in different directions and your stomach swirling every which way.
Why This is One of Best Rides at Busch Gardens Tampa
The beginning of Tigris definitely sets the tone for this roller coaster adventure.
Surging you forward and then hurtling your backwards in a U shape is an awesome and frightening sensation! It’s one of the most unique rides by far.
And that’s just the start!
Be prepared for crazy twists and turns and drops that will have your stomach in your throat (I told you to hold off on eating beforehand didn’t I)!
Stats for Falcon’s Fury at Busch Gardens Tampa
- Opening Date: April 19, 2019
- Tigris Height: 150 feet
- Top Tigris Speed: 62 mph
- Duration: 1 minute and 30 seconds
10. Congo River Rapids
Congo River Rapids is at the top of my list of rides at Busch Gardens Tampa if you want to get soaked!
And I mean drenched if you are in the lucky seat! It’s one of my favorite ways to cool down from the Florida sunshine especially if it’s a humid day.
Why This is One of Best Rides at Busch Gardens Tampa
The wet and wild ride has you twirling and crashing your way through the jungle.
You can’t help but laugh and have some fun as you never know when you are about to get sprayed from the jets.
The anticipation and surprise are half the excitement. Plus, there are waterfalls and even a water cave.
Overall, it is a refreshingly good time!
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Wrapping Up…
So there you have it, ThemeParkHipster! These are the best rides at Busch Gardens Tampa!
Have you rode any of these Busch Gardens attractions before? If so, let us know which one is your favorite in the comments section below.
Until next time, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters!
About the Author
Sarah Jordan is a solo traveler enthusiast, professional travel writer, and proud mama to her rescue dog Coconut.
With a love for destinations across the globe, she made Epcot her first theme park and still treasures her EPCOT World Showcase passport to this day.
After finally following her inner wanderlust, she discovered the freedom and empowerment that solo travel brings.
(Original Article Date: August 2023/Updated by Editor on February 14, 2024)