Canopy Walk in Nyungwe
Canopy Walk in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Nyungwe Forest National Park is one of the reasons why Rwanda has become the top tourist destination in the world. This is not only a place for relaxation but also a place for adventure and insight into Rwanda‘s single beauty. This forest is the largest protected mountain forest in Africa that covers between 1600 and 2000 sq meters and is a five-hour drive into the middle of Rwanda, this long drive to Nyungwe also gives the guests an opportunity to drink in the country’s diverse scenery and the imposing landscape as you move to the main attraction. Once you get to the park, you will then prepare to join one of the most unbelievable adventures you will ever have, the canopy walk.
In addition, the beautiful scenery large, centuries-old trees, and the added thick forest, and this extraordinary tropical forest is also sheltered by a 200m canopy walkway that will give you an excitement that can hardly be compared to anything else.
Getting to the canopy is also about 2 hours from the starting point at Uwinka Visitor Centre. The forest is on a mountain and the hike is also slippery due to the mere fact that the ground on which the guests’ trek is wet and so moist. Viewing the canopy on arrival, most especially for those who fear heights, could also be described as the endless walk to hell.
This bridge adjourned between the huge trees one on the feel of the fresh air, 60m above the forest floor. Apart from the freshness in the air and the wonderful aerial view of the trees, you will also enjoy the sights of the fantastic birds that fly across as you enjoy the walk. This canopy walk is the most preferred activity for the park visitors and it’s one of those you want to try before you die. it was opened in 2010 and it’s the only one of its kind in East Africa and the third on the African continent. This 90m long canopy walkway also gives a unique face-to-face meeting with the butterflies, birds, and monkeys.
The hardwood trees also occupy the upper canopy as the lower part is dominated by the large selection of purple orchids and the lush flora as well as fauna that curl better in the higher altitudes.
Apart from the canopy walk, this national park also offers many trails into the different parts of the forest for the hikers and the walkers. All the guided walks start from the central Uwinka reception Centre, the western Gisakura entrance as well as the eastern Kitabi entrance.
Since the view might be good from above, this attraction is also good from the forest floor. There is also a network of ten mud trails that take you deep into the heart of the forest.
Finally, you will reward yourself after the 10km hike with a visit to Nyungwe’s Ishuno waterfalls which are beautiful. It may also be small in size, but this calm waterfall strikes its way and the breeze to which one is also welcomed will feel one of life’s greatest pleasures.
This park of Rwanda from 50m in the air on the canopy walk and access imposing insights into East Africa’s largest and oldest Afro-Montane forest. This walkway of about 200m also hangs across a steep and deep valley that is filled with thick forest. This walk gives breathtaking views across the misty forest and the sightings at the eye level of the variety of wildlife that lives in the canopy.
This canopy walk also takes close to 2 hours its starting and endpoint being Nyungwe National Park headquarters- the Uwinka tourist reception center. The first 200m is a walk along the forest trail under the thick canopies for an opportunity to view the ground-level nature before taking on the canopy walkway to get to the top level of the forest. The prominent sightings here include; the monkeys, including the blue monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, black and white colobus, the red-tailed monkeys, and the birds. The minimum age for this walk is 6 years and the kids must be escorted by the adults. The cost of this activity is $60 per person paid to the reception center. More so, the activity is present throughout the whole year. The chances of rain failing are high so, remember to carry a raincoat. The hiking shoes are also vital and both of these can be rented from the reception center. The walking sticks are provided free of charge. About the difficulty, this hike is so easy and takes only 2 hours to complete it.
The starting time of the canopy walk
8:00am /10:00am, 7 :00pm or 3:00pm
What you should carry for the canopy walk.
1 liter of drinking water
The hiking boots
The rain Jacket
Cameras
Small backpack bag
The walking stick
Camera batteries