Kumba is a steel roller coaster located at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in Tampa, Florida. Manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard, the ride opened in 1993. It stands 143 ft tall and has a top speed of 60 mph.[1] Kumba features a total of seven inversions across the 3-minute ride. It is Busch Gardens Tampa Bay's oldest roller coaster that is still operating, following the closure of Scorpion in 2024. Kumba closed for extensive maintenance in November of 2024, eventually reopening on September 26, 2025.
Etymology
The roller coaster derives its name from kumba, which means "roar" in the Central African language Kikongo.[1]
History
Kumba was officially announced in November 1992 as a record-breaking Bolliger & Mabillard roller coaster set to become the park's signature attraction.[2]