NYUNGWE FOREST CANOPY, EAST AFRICA'S ONLY CANOPY WALKWAY

Nyungwe Forest is a renown chimpanzee trekking destination, but it is also a place to East Africa’s only Canopy Walkway. This time, we take a look at another perspective into the pristine rainforest canopy, and what a thrill it is walking upon the wildlife and centuries old treetops.

Nyungwe Forest National Park offers an adventurous Africa safari tour on a visit to this impeccable rainforest. The canopy is still untouched by the mass tourism, the trails are in good condition. And Nyungwe’s exceptional biodiversity makes it an exciting destination for hiking, not just only for primates but over 310 species of birds and hundreds of orchids along with over 1000 species of other brilliant plants find home here. In addition to the 13 primates, there are more than 60 species of other mammals hiding in the canopy of Nyungwe Forest, many of these endemic to this Albertine Rift montane forest. Covering approximately 2000sqkm, Nyungwe is one of the largest mountain rainforest in Africa. Though, it is also recorded as one of the last remaining mountain forest ecosystems in the whole world.

The Nyungwe canopy walk, along with the other amazing trails, starts at Uwinka Visitor’s Center. There are no park fees needed, but guides are mandatory, so you’re required to pay a trek fee which includes a guide. Canopy treks can be done all year-round and can cost up to 60$. You will need strong shoes and rain gear – it is rainforest after all. The hike is not really demanding, though there are some steep climbing and slops. The canopy walk is also accessible as a part of hiking Igishigishigi which is the official canopy trek, Imbaraga, or Umuyove trails. Nyungwe Forest Reserve has over 130 kilometers of trails for all levels of fitness. Some of the “uncolored” trails, take for example the popular Waterfall Trail that start at Gisakura Visitor Center.

For chimpanzee trekking tours, Nyungwe Forest has two habituated groups. This canopy walk has proved to be a perfect great adventure on its own, and going for chimpanzee trekking here may certainly not be a major highlight since this can also be done in some of the neighboring countries, take for example a Safari to Uganda for chimpanzees tracking in the primate capital of Kibale Forest National Park. 

One has to admit that there is something magical and pure on this Rwandan canopy experience, the fact that this canopy walkway is well set up in one of the oldest forests in Africa sets almost a surreal frame around the modern canopy walkway. Nyungwe Canopy is surely the perfect place to win your fear of heights.