Overview
Kumba is a steel B&M (Bolliger & Mabillard) “sitting
coaster” located at Busch Gardens Tampa.
Operating with four trains (only three are on the track at any given
time) seating four across in eight rows for a total capacity of 32 riders,
Kumba has been one of the park’s premier attractions since it opened in 1993. It features seven inversions.
Fun Facts
Kumba was the first B&M coaster with interlocking
corkscrews and a dive loop. And it’s one
of only three in the world with a vertical loop encircling the lift hill.
Ride Experience
The ride begins with a right turn out of the loading
station. The train ascends a 143-foot
chain lift hill, navigates a pre-drop and drops 135 feet to the left. It then goes up into a 114-foot vertical loop
followed by a dive loop. The next
element is a zero-g roll which packs a punch.
This leads up into a cobra roll, the last element before the block
brake. After the block brake the train
navigates two interlocking corkscrews and flies through two tunnels before
returning to the loading station. Kumba means "roar" in South African congo language - and roar it does, with no sand or other dampener to mute the sound of the trains.
Final Thoughts and Rating
Kumba offers a ride which is both thrilling and
wonderfully smooth. The elements flow so
fluently that there is no need to brace oneself or ride defensively. It features a great layout which was copied
to at least one later, floorless B&M coaster. In addition, the ride duration is 2:54,
which is longer than that of a number of operating coasters. Although this coaster is 25 years old it rides
as well as the supposedly new and improved models. I really got a kick out of it and ended up
riding repeatedly. Kumba rates a 4 on a
scale of 1 to 5. For more information
about rides at Busch Gardens Tampa, visit buschgardens.com/tampa/https://
