The canopy walk is one of the must-do travel activities in Nyungwe Forest National Park. Yes, over 90% of travelers on Rwanda primate safaris to Nyungwe Forest National Park choose to add canopy walk as a complement to chimpanzee trekking and waterfall hiking among other activities in Nyungwe Forest National park. The canopy walk was initiated in 2010 as a new tourism product in Rwanda to diversify tourism products and enhance long stays in Rwanda and mainly in Nyungwe Forest National Park. Travelers are 60 meters above the forest which gives them clear aerial views of Nyungwe Forest, Virunga Volcanoes and the neighboring local communities. The canopy walk bridge is adjourned between huge trees in a tree a copy that gives travelers a fresh feeling of the natural environment enjoying the sweet melodies of birds in the trees. Nyungwe Forest is the only place to experience canopy walk in the whole of East Africa and the 3rd in Africa. Travelers aged below 6 years are not allowed to take part in canopy walk and kids must be escorted by a parent or a park ranger.
Cost of canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest
Each traveler partaking in canopy walk MUST have a valid permit allowing him to be part of this adventurous experience. The Rwanda canopy walk costs $60 for each traveler. Booking and payment is required in advance for proper and timely planning. Booking a canopy walk can be done directly with Rwanda Development Board or through Gorilla Trek Africa, the ultimate Rwanda safari company.
Time for canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest
Canopy walk is done in the morning at 8:am and in the afternoon at 3:00pm. The walk is commenced by a briefing about safety precautions at Uwinka Information Centre. Thereafter, travelers embark on a 2 hours’ canopy walk to cover up the 60 meters long distance. Depending on traveler’s choice and available time, canopy walk can be done via Igishigisha trail, Umoyove or Imbaraga trail. Each trail is unique in its own kind offering a different experience. Based on the past traveler’s reviews, canopy walk is best done in the afternoon when the forest is clearly soon. During the morning, the forest is normally covered with fog which disrupts forest and Volcano views.
What to pack for canopy walk?
Yes, travelers going for canopy walk are ought to park appropriate essentials to ensure peaceful, enjoyable and less challenging experience. Among the things you should carry for a canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest National Park include:
1. Hiking boots/ shoes for easy hiking
2. Rain jackets for the unpredictable forest weather
3. Sweaters/scarf for warmth in the cold canopies
4. Bottled drinking water
5. Hat to protect your hair and head from tree droplets
6. Hand gloves
About tourism in Nyungwe Forest National park
Located in southwestern Rwanda, Nyungwe Forest is one of the three major national Parks in Rwanda. The montane natural forest is a center of chimpanzee and colobus trekking in Rwanda hence a must-visit travel destination in Rwanda. Nyungwe Forest was established in 2004 and is home to 13 primates, over 300 bird species, over 33 amphibians, over 80 mammals, over 1070 plants and 40 reptiles. Vegetation in Nyungwe Forest National Park includes Montane forest, ferns, Orchids, Carapa, Moses, Lichens and Newtonia which provide food and shelter for birds and animals in the park.
Top Tourist activities in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Besides canopy walk, Nyungwe Forest offers travelers with a variety of exceptional travel activities rewarding you with a lifetime experience. The top tourism activities in Nyungwe Forest include among others:
1. Chimpanzee trekking (number one activity)
2. Bird watching
3. Forest/Nature walk
4. Waterfall hiking
5. Colubus trekking
Primate Species in Nyungwe Forest National Park
List of primate species in Nyungwe Forest National Park include among others:
• Common chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)
• Silver Monkey (Cercopithecus doggetti)
• Golden Monkey (Cercopithecus kandti)
• L’Hoest Monkey (Cercopithecus l'hoesti)
• Red tailed Monkey (Cercopithecus ascanius)
• Vervet Monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus)
• Olive Baboon (Papio anubis)
• Grey Cheeked Mangabey (Lophocebus albigena)
• Dent’s Mona Monkey (Cercopithecus denti)
• Ruwenzori Colubus (Colobus angolensis ruwenzori)
• Hamlyn’s ,monkey (Cercopithecus hamlyni)
Conclusively, a canopy walks is an exceptional travel experience you should not miss on your Rwanda safari to Nyungwe Forest National Park. Contact Gorilla Trek Africa today, book a canopy walk and be park od this lifetime experience.
