SheiKra Review

sheikra_busch_gardensI recently returned from a week-long trip in Florida. We decided to take a break from Disney for one day and travel over to Tampa to check out what Busch Gardens Africa had to offer.

As you approach the park, SheiKra, Kumba, and Montu rise high above the rest of the park, preparing you for what all you’re going to be conquering that day. As you enter the gates, SheiKra is out of sight, due to the massive trees around. But as you approach the Stanleyville section, SheiKra’s dark red track and blue supports become more prominent.

SheiKra is a show in itself, I could’ve easily stood on the plaza below and watched guests plunge vertically all day. It’s a scene. To add to that, Busch thought it would be great to get water involved, so everyone (except the riders) has a chance to get drenched. Now onto the actual ride.

You enter under the immelman in a queue that zig-zags near the station before heading up in a more enclosed queue. I knew I had been at Disney World to long when I thought, “this queue sucks.” Disney can get to you after a while. Since the crowds weren’t bad, we were fortunate enough to be able to pick our seat – the front seat. I sat on the very left edge. The train rolls out of the station, and onto the lift. The view is worth it alone, Tampa, and the surrounding area can be seen. But that doesn’t last for long, as you make a 180 to the holding brake – the most antagonizing part of the ride.

When I saw pictures and videos of SheiKra, I didn’t how far you were held. But you were, I had to put my feet on the rail in front of me (you won’t be able to do that much longer), so I was practically standing, looking straight down. What’s maybe 10 seconds feels like an hour.

The train plunges down, you feel like gravity has been lost, until you near the bottom of the drop, where the g’s come into play. The train soars through the immelman, which also provides great forces. You then enter the “turning carousel” element I think is what they call it. This leads up to the second drop. They give us a break by not holding us again, as you plunge vertically yet again but this time underground, then into an over-banked turn which then leads to the water element. Two funnels attached to the back of the train create two huge rooster tails of water, which slam down onto the onlookers below. Riders stay bone dry. The ride then circles back around to the brake run.

SheiKra is a powerful, unique ride that gives a smooth, intense experience. I highly recommend making the trip to Busch Gardens Africa to take a spin on it for yourself.

John Stevenson

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