Welcome to Nyungwe Forest National Park is one of the reasons why Rwanda has become the top tourist destination in the world over. This is not only the place for relaxation but also one of the 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 being 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 on 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 extra ordinary tropical forest is also shelter to a 200m canopy walk way that will give you an excitement that can hardly be compared by 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 that are fear heights, this 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 walk way also gives a unique face to face meeting with the butterflies, birds and the monkeys.
The hard wood trees also occupy the upper canopy as the lower part is dominated with the large selection of the purple orchids and the lush flora as well as fauna that curl better in the higher altitudes.
And 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 the ten mud trails that takes you deep into the heart of the forest.
And finally, you will reward yourself after the 10km hike with a visit to Nyungwe’s Ishuno waterfalls that 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 the oldest Afro – Montane forest. This walk way 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 live in the canopy.
This canopy walk also takes close to 2 hours and its starting and end point 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 of viewing the ground level nature before taking on the canopy walk way 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 rain coat. 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.
Canopy walk experience has several time schedule from 8:00am /10:00am, 1 :00pm or 3:00pm and depending on your time of arrival and stay in this park. Therefore you should carry for the canopy walk the following like 1 liter of drinking water, the hiking boots, the rain Jacket, cameras, small back pack bag, walking stick and camera batteries.