Wild new Busch Gardens attraction will swing riders at more than 60 mph

TAMPA, Fla. — Busch Gardens is adding to its already deep supply of thrill rides with a “screaming swing” attraction that will fling riders high into the air when it opens next spring.

The Tampa theme park already has 10 thrill rides, the most of any theme park in Florida. On Tuesday it announced that the Serengeti Flyer will join the club with twin dueling arms that progressively sway back and forth, reaching speeds of 68 mph and a 135-foot height at its peak.

The ride will levitate guests out of their seats with each swing as their legs dangle while they soar, reaching multiple negative-G moments before plunging back toward the ground.

Riders will be seated back-to-back in rows of 10 across two gondolas, allowing for 40 guests to experience the ride at once.

Workers tend to frame construction on the operator's building for the Serengeti Flyer, in the background, on Oct. 11, 2022, at Busch Gardens in Tampa, Florida. The 135-foot-tall attraction, expected to open in spring 2023, will feature two pendulum-like arms, seating 40 riders that fly progressively higher with each swing, providing sweeping views of the park's Serengeti Plain and downtown Tampa. (Douglas R. Clifford/Tampa Bay Times/TNS)

“Serengeti Flyer’s thrilling ride experience is bound to provide riders with a pulse-pounding encounter that can only be found at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay,” said Neal Thurman, park president of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. “We believe that Serengeti Flyer will be the perfect high-thrill addition to our world-class portfolio of attractions.”

In March, Busch Gardens opened Iron Gwazi, which won a Golden Ticket Award in September for Best New Roller Coaster from Amusement Today, a prestigious industry award.