Nyungwe Forest Canopy Walk
Many people visit Rwanda to see wild gorillas in Volcanoes National Park or go on safari in Akagera National Park.
But there is another amazing adventure you should not miss—the Nyungwe Forest Canopy Walk.
This is a high bridge that lets you walk above the trees in one of Africa’s oldest rainforests. The walk is inside Nyungwe National Park, a huge forest in southwest Rwanda.
The park is very big—over 1,000 square kilometers—and full of life. There are many animals, including 13 kinds of monkeys, colorful birds, and even plants and animals that may not be discovered yet.
The forest is often covered in mist, which makes it feel magical and peaceful.
The Nyungwe Forest Canopy Walk was built in 2010. It is part of a hiking path called the Igishigishigi Trail (a word that refers to the tree-ferns below but doubles as a tongue-twister).
There are three bridges, and they are 70 meters above the ground. From the top, you can see the forest like never before. If you enjoy nature, love adventure, or want to try something new, this walk is a great choice. The Nyungwe Forest Canopy Walk is not just a walk—it’s a special way to explore the beauty of Rwanda from above.
In fact, Lonely Planet has named it one of the best canopy walkways in the world.
How Long Is Nyungwe Canopy Walkway?
The Nyungwe Forest Canopy Walkway is approximately 160 meters (525 feet) long and reaches a height of 70 meters (230 feet) above the forest floor at its highest point.
It is made up of sturdy suspension bridges and metal platforms, offering safe passage through the treetops.
The walkway is accessed via a guided hike starting from the Uwinka Reception Centre, typically along the Igishigishigi Trail, though it can also be reached through the Imbaraga or Umuyove Trails.
The hike to the canopy walk takes about one hour and includes steep and sometimes muddy sections, especially after rain. Walking sticks are provided at the start of the tour and are strongly recommended.
Along the trail, visitors may spot colorful birds, orchids, butterflies, and possibly one of the park’s 13 primate species, including chimpanzees. The forest, which escaped the last ice age, is known for its rich biodiversity, with many species found only in this region.
How Much Is Nyungwe Forest Canopy Walk?
The Nyungwe Forest Canopy Walk costs $60 per person for foreign non-residents.
This price includes the permit for the canopy walk and a guided tour with an official park guide.
Please note, the Nyungwe National Park entrance fee is separate and costs $100 for international visitors. Visitors must pay both the park entrance fee and the canopy walk fee to access the walkway
What Primates Live in Nyungwe Forest?
Nyungwe Forest is full of primates, and many of them are easy to spot.
There are two groups of wild chimpanzees that are used to people, so visitors can go on chimpanzee trekking to try and find them.
This is a fun and exciting activity. Nyungwe also has many different kinds of monkeys.
One special monkey is the owl-faced monkey, which was only recently seen in the forest. This is the only place outside the Democratic Republic of Congo where this rare monkey lives.
Another highlight is the Rwenzori pied colobus monkey.
Nyungwe has the largest group in Africa, with over 400 of these black-and-white monkeys living together. They are often seen with other monkeys too.
Here are the other monkeys you might see in Nyungwe:
- Grey-cheeked mangabey
- L’Hoest’s monkey
- Grivet monkey
- Syke’s monkey
- Silver monkey
- Blue monkey
- Red-tailed monkey
- Olive baboon
What birds can I find in Nyungwe Forest?
Nyungwe Forest National Park is one of the best places in East Africa for bird watching, especially for those interested in Afro-montane species.
Over 330 bird species have been recorded here, including many rare and Albertine Rift endemics—birds found nowhere else in the world.
The western part of the park offers the best birding opportunities due to its higher rainfall and richer plant life.
While finding some birds takes time and patience, the diversity is incredible.
Some of the special birds found in Nyungwe include:
- Albertine owlet (extremely rare)
- Rockefeller’s sunbird
- Red-collared Mountain babbler
- Mountain masked apalis
- Ruwenzori turaco
- Handsome francolin
- Dwarf honeyguide
- Neumann’s short-tailed warbler
- Shelley’s crimsonwing (very rare)
What Other Wildlife Lives In Nyungwe Forest?
While the primates and birds often steal the spotlight, Nyungwe is also home to a rich variety of other wildlife.
More than 75 species of mammals live in the park. Some walk along the forest paths, others climb trees, and a few hide deep in the undergrowth.
These include:
- Congo clawless otter
- Serval (a small, spotted wild cat)
- African golden cat
- Central African oyan (a rare, tree-dwelling relative of the genet)
- Lord Derby’s scaly-tailed squirrel (a gliding rodent that moves between trees like a flying squirrel)
Nyungwe is also rich in plant life, with over 1,000 recorded plant species, including:
- 250 Albertine Rift endemics (plants found nowhere else)
- 140 species of orchids, which bring beautiful colors to the forest
Incredibly, new species are still being discovered.
On one safari, a guide found a small, colorful frog hiding in the undergrowth.
It turned out to be the Bururi long-fingered frog (Cardioglossa cyaneospila), a species once thought extinct and never before seen in Nyungwe.
Where in Rwanda is Nyungwe Forest?
Nyungwe Forest National Park is located in the southwestern part of Rwanda, near the border with Burundi to the south and Lake Kivu to the west.
The park is about 225 kilometers (140 miles) from Kigali, the capital city, and takes around 5 to 6 hours to reach by car.
From Lake Kivu—specifically the town of Rusizi (Cyangugu)—Nyungwe is approximately 55 kilometers (34 miles) away, or about 1.5 hours by road.
If you’re coming from Volcanoes National Park in the north, the drive is longer—around 280 kilometers (175 miles) and takes 6 hours.
What’s the Scenery Like in Nyungwe Forest?
In one word: breathtaking.
Nyungwe Forest National Park is made up of lush tropical rainforest, with patches of grassland, wetlands, and mountain swamps.
The landscape is always changing—sometimes glowing in warm sunshine, other times wrapped in thick mist or gentle rain.
This shifting weather adds to the forest’s mysterious and magical feel.
The best way to take in the beauty of Nyungwe is indeed from the canopy walkway.
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