The Nyungwe canopy walk at a glance
The Nyungwe canopy walk is a suspension bridge that is 160 m long and up to 70 m high, stretched over a gorge in the rainforest. It is one of the main activities in the park. The canopy walk in Rwanda is a guided activity that starts from the Uwinka Visitor Centre, and it runs all year.
You reach the bridge on foot. The Igishigishigi trail leads there, and you can combine it with the Imbaraga or Umuyove trails. From the Uwinka Reception Centre the walk to the bridge takes about 1 hour. That is the way out only, so plan more time for the return and for the bridge itself.
Our picks: canopy walk tours
Day trips and a short stay, all with the canopy walkway on the route.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Canopy walkway and zipline from Kigali
- Park entry and permit
- Canopy walkway
- Three-section zipline
Safety gear, staff and lunch are included. Chimpanzees are not part of this tour.
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Two days at Nyungwe with canopy walk and waterfall
- One night included
- Canopy and Ndambarare waterfall
- Meals as listed
Tea plantations line the trail on the way to the canopy walk and the waterfall. Park entry is extra, and so is a chimpanzee permit if you choose one.
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Nyungwe canopy walk day trip from Kigali
- Pick-up and return
- 4x4 transport and guide
- Lunch and water
A long day with a guided walk to the canopy walkway, leaving Kigali at about 6 am. Park fees are extra.
Check availability →Nyungwe canopy walk and forest tours
Guided trips that include the canopy walkway, chimpanzee trekking and forest walks, with live prices and availability.
Canopy walk price in 2026
Per person, 2025 to 2026 tariff. A guide is included, park entry is extra.
| Visitor category | Canopy walk | Park entry, one night |
|---|---|---|
| International and African visitors | $40 | $100 (international), $60 (African outside the EAC) |
| International residents of Rwanda or the EAC | $20 | $60 |
| Rwanda and EAC citizens | RWF 5,000 | RWF 10,000 |
The canopy walk price covers the guided activity. The park entry is charged on top, and it rises with the number of nights, so check the full fee table. Special activities run for 2 to 8 guests, and a smaller party pays for 2. Payment is cashless: card, online payment, mobile money or bank transfer. For one night, an international adult pays $100 of entry plus $40 for the walk. Check the current amount before you book. Tour prices show whether park fees are included.
What the walk involves
Four things to plan for.
Timing and rain
The walkway is open in principle all year. Afternoons are more likely to bring rain, so a morning start is the safer choice. Ask for the start time when you book.
Best time to visit →Paths after rain
The forest trails can be slippery and muddy after rain. Wear shoes with grip. A light rain jacket is recommended, and boots and rain gear can be rented at the park. Ask there for the rental prices.
If you are afraid of heights
The bridge is open and high above the ground, and the drop is real. If heights bother you, talk to your guide at the start and decide before you set out.
Zipline and rope course are separate
The park also offers a zipline and the Gisakura Rope Course, presented in August 2025. They are different activities from the canopy walkway and have their own prices.
Combine the canopy walk with a hike
The bridge sits on a trail network.
Because the bridge is reached on foot, the canopy walk is also a short hike. The Igishigishigi trail is 2.1 km and is rated easy. The Umuyove trail, at 5.5 km, is rated moderate. The hiking page lists all the mapped distances. If you also want to see monkeys, the colobus tracking starts at the same visitor centre, where a group of more than 400 Angola colobus is followed. For a bigger challenge, see chimpanzee trekking. If you come from Kigali, the road to the park takes 5 to 6 hours, so plan an overnight stay near the park.
Getting to Uwinka
Where the walk begins.
The day visitor centres on the main road are open from 07:00 to 17:00. That does not mean every activity starts at that time, so ask for the start time of the canopy walk when you book. Uwinka has park-run camping on platforms and a guesthouse with 2 bedrooms and 4 beds for self-catering, and there is parking at the camping area. If you drive yourself, the forest activities are still guided, and you cannot enter the forest alone. Rules for self-drive safaris in other parks do not apply here. The getting there page covers the road from Kigali.
Plan the rest of your trip
Where to go before and after the bridge.
Nyungwe canopy walk: frequently asked questions
How much is the Nyungwe canopy walk?
For international visitors the canopy walk price is $40 per person, plus park entry from $100 for one night. Rwanda and EAC citizens pay RWF 5,000, plus their own entry rate. Check the current amount before you book.
How long is the canopy walkway?
The bridge is 160 m long and up to 70 m high. The walk from the Uwinka Reception Centre to the bridge takes about 1 hour one way.
Can I do the canopy walk without a guide?
No. It is a guided activity, and unaccompanied walks in the forest are not allowed. The guide is included in the activity price.
What should I wear?
Shoes with a good grip and a light rain jacket. Boots and rain gear can be rented at the park, and the trails are muddy after rain.
Is the canopy walk open all year?
It runs all year in principle, and afternoons have a higher chance of rain. Ask for the current status when you book.
Is nyungwe-national-park.org the official booking site?
No. This is an independent travel guide with no link to African Parks, the Rwanda Development Board or any tour operator. Prices here help you plan, and the park and the tour cards show the amount you pay.