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Canopy Walk in Nyungwe Forest
The canopy walkway is the highest suspension and provides the best view of the forest’s ancient trees and biodiversity.
The Nyungwe canopy walk hangs over a valley in the spectacular montane rainforest of Nyungwe National Park. The canopy walkway is the highest suspension and provides the best view of the forest’s ancient trees and biodiversity. Nyungwe Forest National Park, with its canopy walk and chimpanzees, is a one-stop destination for visitors on Rwanda safaris from all over the world. Green Heart, a non-governmental organization, was created in 2008, and construction began in 2010. The canopy walkway debuted in 2017 and has since grown in popularity as a Rwanda tourist destination.
Canopy Walk in Nyungwe Forest
The Igishigishigi trail, one of the several hiking trails in Nyungwe Forest, leads to the canopy walkway. The canopy walk tour, therefore, entails hiking over the 2.1km long Igishigishigi route, with the canopy walkway serving as a type of bridge or shortcut along this looped track. The canopy walkway is 160 meters long and hung 70 meters above the ground across a steep valley densely forested with trees. The Canopy Walk in Nyungwe national park can also be accessed from Imbaraga and Umuyove trails in Nyungwe forest.
The canopy walk activity in Rwanda’s Nyungwe Forest is a thrilling trip that nature enthusiasts and adrenaline junkies should not miss out on if they visit Rwanda and Nyungwe Forest for any tour, whether it’s birding, chimpanzee trekking, or any of the park’s other natural activities.The canopy walk is now an iconic activity of Nyungwe National Park that is not to be missed on Nyungwe tour itineraries. The hike provides stunning views of East Africa’s largest and oldest Afro-montane forest, as well as the opportunity to witness species such as monkeys and birds that dwell in the forest canopies but are difficult to see from the ground.
The two-hour guided hike to the forest canopy begins at the Uwinka Visitor Centre. Every day, the journey begins at 8 a.m. and finishes at 10 a.m., with evening excursions commencing at 3 p.m. The Canopy walk & trek is a fun and thrilling trip that takes you through the 200m Canopy walk path. This is the most difficult part of the trek, especially for those who are not afraid of heights.
The roads leading to the Canopy can be perilous and hard, necessitating physical fitness, patience, and persistence. Use suitable hiking footwear for embarking on the forest canopy trek. The Canopy Walkway in Nyungwe National Park is a bridge that goes across the forest and rests 60 meters above the forest floor. Many butterfly and bird species, as well as cheeky and curious primates such as blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, and L’Hoest’s monkeys, may be seen when crossing the bridge.
The canopy walk allows visitors to explore the natural beauty of the forest, with hardwood trees in the upper half of the forest and a wide variety of purple orchids with lush, green flora in the lower portion of the forest canopy.
Cost of visiting the Canopy Walkway in Nyungwe Forest National Park
The canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest National Park will cost $40 per person under the revised prices for 2023-2024. Those who want to perform the canopy walk at Nyungwe National Park, however, must pay park admission fees of $100 per day, $150 per person if staying two nights, and $200 per person if staying three nights.
What is the age limit for persons doing the Canopy Walk In Nyungwe Forest National Park?
Only persons aged 6 years and above are accepted to do the Canopy Walk in Nyungwe Forest National Park. However, children aged 6-10 years must be accompanied by an adult.
What is the best time for the Canopy Walk in Nyungwe Forest National Park?
The Canopy Walk in Nyungwe Forest National Park is open to visitors all year round, with the best time to visit is during the dry season. Unfortunately, there is a good chance of rain when climbing, so carry a raincoat with you on the day you go trekking to the canopy. The canopy walk is a one-of-a-kind and amazing experience for daring tourists, but for those who are terrified of heights, it may be defined as an unending journey to hell. The only place in East Africa where such a stunning canopy trek is worthwhile is Nyungwe Forest. The park offers chimpanzee trekking, birding, hiking, and other activities.
How fit should one be for the Canopy Walk in Nyungwe National Park?
To take part in the canopy walk experience at Nyungwe Forest National Park, tourists should be free of any health conditions that may interfere with the ascent. Individuals with heart difficulties or lung disorders that may cause shortness of breath should avoid engaging in the workout. A canopy walk is not suggested for anyone who is afraid of heights or suffers from acrophobia. Individuals who participate in the activity, however, must follow the rules established by the park guides.
Getting to Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Visitors interested in canopy walks can access the park by car from Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, or by flying into Kigali International Airport. It is approximately 190 kilometers and takes around 6 hours to drive along a well-surfaced highway.
Visitors who want to fly can book charter flights with RwandAir, the country’s main airline, from Kigali International Airport to Kamembe, which is close to the national park. After roughly a 10-minute drive from Kamembe town, you may access the park by road. Visitors can also book private planes from Akagera Aviation that land at One and Only Nyungwe House.
About Nyungwe Forest National Park
Rwanda genuinely is known as the “Land of a Thousand Hills.” The country’s gorgeous and well-terraced hills, glittering lakes such as Lake Kivu, clean streets, and friendly residents generally captivate many visitors. Visitors to the Central African country have a lot to see and do, from the bustling capital city of Kigali to the country’s national parks, one of which is Nyungwe Forest National Park. The national park is located in the southwest corner of Rwanda in Rusizi province.
It is bordered to the south by Burundi, and to the west by Lake Kivu and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The national park is located within the famed Nyungwe forest, which is the biggest tropical rain forest in East and Central Africa. This woodland is thought to have been there for thousands of years. The park is strategically placed inside the Congo River basin as well as the Nile River basin. The Nyungwe forest national park in Rwanda has an area of 1,019 square kilometers. It was designated a national park in 2004 and is mostly made up of rainforest, grassland, bamboo, marshes, bogs, and other ecosystems.
The national park of Nyungwe forest is home to 14 primate species, 300 bird species, 2000 plant species, 90 animal species, and 38 reptile species. This national park is certainly a gift from nature, and visitors to the park will find enough to see and do while there. The German colonial government named Nyungwe a forest reserve in 1903. Between 1958 and 1973, the overall land area of this tropical African rainforest was drastically reduced owing to forest fires, large-scale deforestation, and wildlife hunting. Poachers slaughtered the last buffaloes that lived in Nyungwe Forest in 1974.
Nyungwe Forest National Park was created as a national park in 2004, following Rwanda’s classification as one of the top ten tourist destinations by Lonely Planet. Nonetheless, the national park was designated as a protected area in 2005, and visitor visitation to the park surged during this period. The chimpanzees are the major draw of the national park. Nyungwe national park is home to over 1068 plant species, 13 primate species, 322 species of bird, 32 amphibians, and 38 reptile species. It is situated in the center of a tea plantation, with the Cyamudongo forest being the most popular hiking destination for visitors. The Canopy bridge, Isumo waterfalls, and golden monkeys are among the other spectacular features in the national park.
Other Activities in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe or Cyamudongo Forest.
The Nyungwe Forest National Park in Rwanda is home to 25% of Africa’s primate species, with the bulk of its chimps being habituated. Tracking chimps in the park is one of the joys of a visit, and there are around 500 individuals living within Nyungwe Forest National Park. A monkey trekking permit in Nyungwe Forest National Park costs USD $40 per person and lasts between 2 and 6 hours. Tracking begins at 8 a.m. from three primary points: Uwinka, Kitabi, and Gisakura. Guests interested in chimpanzee trekking activities in Nyungwe or Cyamudongo forests in Nyungwe Forest national park should arrive by 5 a.m. for registration and a briefing from the park’s head ranger.
Bird Watching
The national park is home to approximately 300 bird species, including Archer’s Robin-Chat, Weird weaver, Chapin’s Flycatcher, and Rockefeller’s Sunbird, among others. The fee for birding in Nyungwe National Park is USD 40 per person per day, excluding park entry fees.
Hiking to Isumo Waterfalls
Visitors to Rwanda’s Nyungwe Forest National Park may take a guided trek to the famed Isumo waterfalls. The falls are 17 meters high and provide travelers with excellent views of caverns and even the Kamiranzovu wetland. Certain hiking pathways will allow visitors to witness snakes, birds, butterflies, wildflowers, and rare tree and plant species.
There are hiking paths that begin in car parks 1 and 2, which may be shorter hikes than other head trails in the national park. Additional activities available to travelers when visiting Nyungwe Forest National Park include a Congo Nile guided trek, a three-day hiking adventure, and camping in the forest.
Hiking and Guided Nature walks in Nyungwe Forest.
Rwanda’s Nyungwe Forest National Park is a hiking paradise. Hiking trips in the forest may take between 1 and 8 hours and cost USD 15 for half-day hikes and USD 25 for full-day hikes. There are 13 hiking paths in all. Additional activities in Nyungwe Forest National Park include trekking the Congo Nile Trail, tracking golden monkeys, and camping.
