Canopy Walk in Rwanda: Rwanda is a beautiful country with many hills, which really translates to “The Land of a Thousand Hills,” lush green forests, and many incredible animals. This must surely be one of Rwanda’s finest natural attractions which tourists must explore by going for a canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest National Park. Located in a dense forest this canopy walk provides a magnificent view of the forest floor below The canopy walk therefore gives people a chance to experience the forest in a thrilling way and also understand the aspects of the forest around them.
Discovering Nyungwe Forest National Park
Situated in the province of the southern part of Rwanda, Nyungwe Forest National Park is considered to be one of the oldest and least disturbed rainforests in Africa. The park occupies more than 1000 km2 and serves as a center of nidification of more than 300 bird species, 13 kinds of primates, butterflies, reptiles, and amphibians. It has areas of abundant vegetation cover, waterfalls, and steep slopes which makes it a one-stop place for nature enthusiasts.
Nyungwe also has big trees and a complex canopy which is better appreciated from a bird’s-eye view. One of the major attractions of the park is the Canopy Walk which enables tourists to go for a suspended bridge tour about half of which is above the forest canopy of Kibale.
The Canopy Walkway Experience
The canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest National Park is also the only canopy walk in East Africa and therefore a must-do attraction in Rwanda. The walkway has been constructed since 2010 is 50 meters above the ground and spans over 160 meters to cross over the forest and offer the visitors spectacular views over the canopies and valleys.
From the moment you set your foot on a walkway, you feel like you are enclosed in a canopy of trees with the sound of the forest. The walkway is made up of three sections: two shorter spandrels at the ends, and one longer at the middle which is called the panel or the middle bay. It does not have to go up or down to reach the peak; it may tilt a little from side to side as you tread; which will make it even more exciting to conquer. This is highly recommended for adventure and forestry lovers who would love to have a different experience of the forest.
A Journey Through the Treetops
The canopy walk in Rwanda begins with a short nature trail that takes one through the forest to the canopy walkway. Getting to the canopy is as exciting an experience as is the canopy itself, the trail passing through the thick cover and the ability to see some of the animals that are unique to this region is quite fulfilling. In the category of primates, the L’Hoest’s monkey, the blue monkey, and the black and white colobus monkey are some of the most found species in the forest. These primates are mostly in the trees or on the ground searching for food hence you can sometimes catch a glimpse of them in their natural habitat.
While progressing up to the walkway, the following explanations appear that describe the significance of the forest and all the inhabitants inside the ecology. When you arrive at the walkway you’re technically in the real part of the experience. As you amble across the treetop hanging bridge, there are trees that can grow to a world record of 60mtrs (198ft) tall. It is also a place where one can observe the different stories of the forest from a bird’s eye view by taking to the canopy.
Birdwatcher’s Paradise
Nyungwe forest is a birder’s haven and getting up close with some of the bird species on the canopy is particularly thrilling. The use of forests is a nomadic one and several Albertine Rift endemic species have been recorded making it a hub for bird watchers in Africa. While on the canopy walk, you are likely to see the Great Blue Turaco, a bird basically blue and green in color, or the Rwenzori Turaco which prevails only in this part of the world.
Other birds include White-headed Woodhoopoe, Mountain Masked Apalis and Stripe-breasted Tit bird among others. The place where the canopy walkway is situated has you face-to-face with these birds and increases your chances of seeing them in their natural environment. photographers and bird watchers are strongly advised to carry along their binoculars as well as a good camera for capturing the rich birding diversity in the forest.
Safety and Accessibility
The canopy walkway that is present in Nyungwe Forest National Park is safe and is recommended for most visitors. It is often cleaned and also has safety barriers and handrails to guarantee that the users are safe. Nevertheless, it is said that the walk is dangerous for people with severe vertigo or for those, who are scared of heights: the walkway is really shaking slightly, and it is very high.
It requires some level of physical exercise to go to the canopy walkway since there are steep areas as well as sharp inclines. Sturdy walking shoes should be worn, one should also make sure to carry a lot of water and the activity involves some physical exercise. Children of age less than six are not allowed on the walkway, for this reason, the canopy walk is friendly for all ages.
Best Time to Visit Nyungwe Forest National Park
Nyungwe Forest National Park is one park that can be visited all year round though the recommended period for the canopy walk and other activities is during the dry seasons of June-September and December-February. These months experience less rainfall which contributes to easy walking in the moors and forests and an uninterjected view of the canopy way.
The rainy season comprises March to May and October to November producing more precipitation and this makes the terrain slippery and difficult to travel. On the other hand, the wet season is also advisable in tendency as the forest is hardly rich in green trees and the birds are most active during this period.
Conclusion
Nyungwe Forest National Park now offers the canopy walk in Rwanda which is an appealing and creative adventure to explore nature. Nyungwe with its primates, scenic views, and different activities makes it an eloquent park, especially for adventurous tourists, bird watchers, and lovers of nature. Whether you’re being transferred on a canopy walk, following tracks of chimpanzees, or just listening to the sounds and taking in the sights of the rainforest, Nyungwe is unforgettable. Hence if you’re interested in an adventurous and thrilling encounter of Rwanda’s attractions, you should spare your time for a canopy walk.
