The Rwanda canopy walk Nyungwe was established in Nyungwe forest national park in 2010 in order to diversfy tourism beyond chimpanzee and colobus monkey trekking. Stretching for 1,019 sq. km, Nyungwe lies at the southern end of Lake Kivu and is part of the Albertine rift valley Afromontane tropical forests. It was established in 2004 and is being managed by the African Parks Network to protect the park, strengthen law enforcement, and develope tourism. The park contains rich biodiversity including over 1,000 plants of which 140 are different orchid species. There are 13 primate species including chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, owl faced monkeys, olive baboons, red-tailed monkeys, Mona monkeys, red tailed monkeys, L’hoest monkeys, blue monkeys, velvet monkeys, among other prosimians like dwarf galago, and greater bush babies. In addition to primates, the protected area is also home to over 322 species of birds of which 16 are Albertine rift endemics including Albertine owlet, Kungwe Apalis, Rwenzori Turaco, Congo bay owl, Newman’s warbler, red collared babbler, Kivu ground thrush, handsome francolin, rock feller’s sunbird. There are 120 butterfly species which offer opportunities for butterfly watching. There are also several waterfalls within Nyungwe forest, the most spectacular of which are the Kamiranzovu and Isumo waterfalls. Nyungwe is best explored on foot and there are over 13 hiking trails including Bigugu trail (8 miles) that offers access to the highest altitude point where you can enjoy spectacular views of Lake Kivu and eastern Zaire forests. Among other trails include Imbaraga, a 6-mile long and winding path to the heart of Nyungwe forest and Kamiranzovu waterfalls.
The canopy walk offers a thrilling and unique perspective of the forest, as you walk on the suspension bridges towering 70 meters high above the forest floor, providing a bird’s eye of the lush vegetation and wildlife. It is a must visit gem for a keen photographer. The walkways stretch for 169 meters (295 feet) long allowing visitors to explore the upper levels of the trees to spot wildlife within the tree canopy. The canopy tour starts at Uwinka reception center from where you will walk for about 40 minutes along the Igishigishigi trail which winds through tree fern vegetation. The tour takes about 2-3 hours which means that it can be done in the afternoon after chimpanzee or colobus monkey trekking. The bridges were built with maximum safety measures by USAID in partnership with the Green Heart International. They’re strong and firm enough for children of 6 years old can participate in the canopy walk Rwanda. The canopy tour cost is $80 for a single traveler and $40 per person for two or more people available for booking through Rwandan Development Board or a tour operator.
Rwanda canopy walk has significantly contributed to the grwoth of tourism by creating employment opportunities for guides and the staff that do the maintainence who come from the adjacent communities contributing to improved livelihoods. The canopy walk supports conservation given that visitors walk above which keeps the fragile ecosystems untouched by human activity.
Nyungwe forest national park is open all year round and can be visited with Lake Kivu, Volcanoes national park for gorilla safaris, and Akagera to see the big 5 animals and then to Kigali capital city.