Canopy Walk Tour In Nyungwe Forest, Rwanda Wildlife Safaris
Things Tour in Nyungwe Forest: The only canopy walkway in East Africa in Rwanda's Nyungwe Forest. Though hiking on the ground of Nyungwe Forest National Park is rewarding, walking on a bridge suspended 200 feet above the Nyungwe Forest's ancient treetops is the most fascinating experience. The Nyungwe Forest canopy walkway is a 60-90 minute walk from the Uwinka Visitor Center along the Igishigishigi Trail, brimming with incredible umbrella trees, blooming orchids, and lush greenery.
Suspended above a ravine in the lush montane rainforest of Nyungwe National Park, the canopy walkway provides an exhilarating perspective on the ancient treetops and wildlife. The 160m long and 70m high suspension bridge is accessible as part of a guided tour along the Igishigishigi trail, or to those hiking the Imbaraga or Umuyove trails.
The canopy walk has now become an iconic activity of Nyungwe Forest National Park that is not missed on Nyungwe tour itineraries. The Nyungwe Forest walk offers breathtaking views across East Africa’s largest and oldest Afro-montane forest and also offers a chance to see at eye-level wildlife that lives in the forest canopies but is not easily seen from the ground such as monkeys and birds.
Your views change substantially once you reach the series of three suspension bridges that compose the canopy walkway. The safe, albeit wobbly walk gets your adrenaline pumping, and the views of the tree canopy and Uwinka Ridge at sunset make your heart soar.
Canopy walkways give travelers a new perspective on the destinations they visit, bringing people to eye-level with birds and other wildlife in an eco-friendly way. If you’re ready for the exhilarating experience of traversing suspended bridges between raised platforms high in the treetops, look no further than the Nyungwe Forest in Rwanda.
Brief About Nyungwe Forest National Park:
Nyungwe Forest National Park is situated in the southwest of Rwanda, 225 kilometers from Kigali and about a 5-hour drive to the park’s headquarters at Uwinka Overlook. The park has a remarkable diversity of wildlife, which includes 13 species of primates, more than 300 species of birds, 85 species of mammals, over 1000 species of plants, 32 species of amphibians, and 38 species of reptiles. Many of the species are endemic to the Albertine Rift region within which the forest lies.
Canopy Walk Trail in Nyungwe Forest
The canopy walkway is accessed from the Igishigishigi trail, one of the many hiking trails in Nyungwe Forest National Park. The canopy walk tour therefore involves hiking along the Igishigishigi trail 2.1km long, with the canopy walkway creating a sort of bridge or shortcut along this looping trail. The canopy walkway measures a total of 160 meters in length and is suspended 74 meters from the ground across a deep valley filled with thick forest.
The canopy walk tour starts at Uwinka, which is also the park’s headquarters, and the round trip takes from 1.5 to 2 hours. After registering at the Visitor’s Center, visitors take on a forest trail that connects to the Igishigishigi trail. The forest walk offers a beautiful nature experience and one gets to observe wildlife found at the ground level and enjoy beautiful views of forest-clad rolling hills.
The canopy walk appears after a hike of about an hour down the Igishigishigi trail and is accessible on a US$60 guided tour. Walking sticks are offered before the tour begins, and with frequent rain muddying the trail (which includes steep sections), it’s highly recommended to grab one.
The canopy walk tour is a guided activity led by an assigned park guide. Unguided tours are not permitted, and the minimum age for the canopy walk is 6 years and an adult must accompany children.
Also, besides the canopy walk, the park allows many trails into various areas of the forest for hikers. These guided walks start at the central Uwinka reception Centre, the western Gisakura entrance, and the eastern Kitabi entrance. There are over 13 hiking trails with over 130 kilometers of trails through the forest.
Besides, there is a reward for visiting the 10km hike to Nyungwe Isumo waterfalls which depict beauty. Though it might be small in size, this calm waterfall strikes its way and the gentle wind gives an illustration of one’s life’s greatest pleasures.
Where to stay when visiting Nyungwe Forest:
Nyungwe is nearly 220 km (about 4-5 hours) away from Kigali, the Capital of Rwanda. Many people make a day trip only for the Canopy walk!! (And combining a visit to the Royal Palace in Huye on the way!). However, we do not recommend this hectic trip at all.
Give some time to enjoy the rain forests, soak them in, and visit the Chimpanzees in the Cyamudongo forest as well. We recommend a minimum of a 2-day visit combining the Canopy Walkway, a forest hike, and Chimpanzee tracking. If you have more time, you can on the way back drive along Lake Kivu and make a pit stop at one of the beautiful Lake resorts.
There are broadly 4 options to stay in/near Nyungwe (from the cheapest to the most expensive).
Camping in Nyungwe Forest
The first (and the recommended) is the Camping site at Uwinka Centre. Experience the sounds of the tropical forest at night – a night in the jungle would be unforgettable!
Guesthouses and Hotels in Nyungwe Forest
There are many budget guesthouses and hotels near Gisakura town (between Uwinka and Cyamudong – near the Tea estates) and in Rusizi (southern Lake Kivu). However, the facilities can be quite basic.
Lake Resorts in Nyungwe Forest
There are many resorts by Lake Kivu in Rusizi. With beautiful views and moderate luxury, spending time in these resorts would be easy and pleasurable!
Arrange and Book with Ultimate Wild Safaris for the Canopy walk experience in Nyungwe Forest National Park, Rwanda.
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