The Canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest National Park is a unique experience of East Africa’s largest montane rainforest. The 160m walk of nature on a 70-meter-high suspended bridge gives the guest a vantage view point of the impressive landscape that is formed by the varying heights of canopy.
The sheer bio diversity of Nyungwe is stunning, but to view it from above is even more staggering. The memories born out of such views from a height of 70 meters above the ground are astonishing.
Getting to the canopy walkway.
Getting to this bridge starts from the Visitors reception center at Uwinka, where every guest is cleared and briefed about the experience, and expectations, by the deeply informed and well-trained park guides who gracefully share about the rich history of the forest. The trekkers then descend upon the Igishigishi trail that leads up to the canopy walk.
Nyungwe forest, from a 70-meter-high view point.
The plant life of Nyungwe forest is the most phenomenal that a guest will ever come across in the entire Albertine rift, some of with are endemics of the forest. 1100 plant species of which 200 of them are trees, 140 orchids, and form part of the spectacular view that unfolds to the tourist. Tall and gigantic trees rise from the forest ground into the near sky; branches are often infested with gripping plants, ferns, and orchids. Upon those freely swinging trees and expansive branches are primates like the chimpanzees, rodents, and rare amphibians, in sight after a keen search. The air is awash with colorful butterfly species, rare bird species that swarm the forest in search of nectar from flowers and fruits
When is the best time to undertake a canopy walk?
Like any other rain forest, the rain seasons are unattractive for guests, never the less, they bring along many migratory birds that would be exciting to see for bird lovers and photographers. This season occurs between the months of March to May with the heaviest rains occurring in April to May.
The best conditions, and probably best time within which to visit the park is during dry season, given that the forest ground is less slippery. Warm weather is also conducive for a canopy walk as one can conveniently stroll above the forest without fear of rain. Photographers too like the drier seasons because of the beauty that come with bright lights effect on the photos.
The dry season occurs from December to February and from June to early September.
What is the price of Rwanda canopy walk?
A canopy walk permit will cost you 60 USD per person for two hours. The early morning walk starts at 9:00 am, while the afternoon walk starts at 1:00 pm and the final walk of the day starts at 3:00 pm.
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