Zip-lining in Nyungwe National Park
Zip-lining in Nyungwe National Park, Ziplining is an amazing tourist adventure that is set to be opened in Nyungwe National Park. The exact dates haven’t been specified, but most anticipated in June 2025. So, visitors planning to visit Rwanda, don’t miss this breathtaking activity. It’s an electrified experience that will allow visitors to explore the beauty of Nyungwe Forest National Park in the treetops.
Nyungwe Forest National Park is one of Africa’s oldest National parks, found in the southwestern part of Rwanda, covering over 1,019 square kilometers, sharing borders with Burundi and the DR Congo. This forest park is blessed with rich biodiversity that cannot be found anywhere in East Africa. It comprises a montane forest that harbors over 13 primate species, birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and several plant species. and because of its outstanding universal value, biological and ecological biodiversity that it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The zipline tour to Nyungwe Forest National Park.
The zip line in Nyungwe consists of multiple platforms that provide different views of the park. The zipline stretches in sections at 350m, 580m, and 1020m in length at a height of 50 to 80 meters above the ground, thus rendering it one of the longest ziplines in Africa.
Zipline activity starts from the Uwinka reception Center, where the participants are guided on how the zip line operates. After the guidance, they are provided with helmets and safety harnesses. The activity involves some hiking from the park center to the starting point and even travellers with average fitness will find it beneficial. Both experienced and first-time travellers can get involved. The zipline goes through deep valleys and massive forests where guests enjoy uninterrupted views of the park’s landscape. It is one of Rwanda’s special outdoor recreational activities.
Cost of the zipline adventure in Nyungwe
- Foreign non-residents – $100
- African residents and citizens – $80
- East African citizens – 200,000 RWF
Importance of the zipline activity to the tourism sector and the community
The unique thing about Nyungwe ziplining is that it is committed to eco-friendly tourism in Rwanda. The tourism industry works with local conservation groups to keep the park’s ecosystem healthy and increase the earnings of the neighbouring communities.
Funds raised from ziplining activity are used to for conservation work, to employ and support guides and rangers who help to protect wildlife.
Travelers are advised to visit the local communities after exploring Nyungwe Forest Park. They can visit tea plantations and local artisans. Such visits provide a taste of Rwandan culture and tradition as they interact and share knowledge with the natives. At the end of these sessions, visitors can buy some of their local products as souvenirs, thus away of contributing to the uplift of their daily standards.
Combining the ziplining and canopy walk is also possible as they are both leisurely activities that involve observing the park from an aerial view.
The best time to visit Nyungwe National Park for the ziplining activity.
Travelling to Nyungwe National Park for the ziplining excursion is optimal in June to September and December to February because this period has comfortable dry weather conditions. Such conditions provide quick hiking and ziplining through the dense primate forest park, which makes your adventure so wonderful.
Other activities in Nyungwe National Park
Besides ziplining, Nyungwe Forest National Park offers more adventurous activities, including:
Chimpanzee tracking: This is the most popular activity in this park and can be done all year round. Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe provides an exciting opportunity to track and observe these endangered creatures as they interact with each other and the environment. You will have a guided trek through the forest, where you’ll hike for several hours in search of the chimpanzees. Once you find them, you’ll spend one hour watching them in their natural habitat, learning about their behavior and social structures.
Canopy walk: This is another amazing experience that involves walking on a suspended bridge 50m above the ground. The canopy walk provides stunning views of the forest’s treetops, allowing you to see a different side of the park. It’s also an excellent opportunity for birdwatching and observing forest animals from above. You will also see distant lakes and mountains. This adrenaline walk takes 2 hours.
Colobus monkey trekking: This is another thrilling activity in Nyungwe National Park. This forest park harbors large troops of black and white colobus monkeys with at lest 300 individuals in a troop. Colobus monkey tracking is a bit easier than chimp trekking because these monkeys are often spotted in the forest woodlands at the edge of the forest.
Birding: Nyungwe National Park is a bird watcher’s paradise with over 300 bird species, including the endemic and migratory species. birding can be done in the forest and wetlands within the park. Some of the common species include Grauer’s rush warbler, Rwanda’s black bird, African green broadbill, Mountain yellow warbler, and many others.
Hiking and nature walks: Nyungwe Forest National Park has several hiking trails that are used by visitors to explore the park’s diverse landscapes and ecosystems. They range from easy walks to challenging treks and can be traversed depending on fitness levels.
The trails take you through the lush forest vegetation, bamboo and wetlands. Some of the trails include Igishigishigi trail, Umuyove trail, Karamba trail, Uwinka trail, and Umugote trail among others. Whatever trail you choose for your adventure, expect to encounter wildlife, enjoy scenic views, and learn more about the park.
Tea plantation tours: At the western edge of Nyungwe forest National Park is Gisakura tea plantation, another tourist attraction in which visitors can interact with the local community. This plantation covers 1596 hectares and is mainly managed by smallholder farmers.
While on your visit to the plantation, you can join the locals to pick tea with your hands as you listen to their stories about their daily life. At the end of the visit, taste a cup of tea and buy some processed tea to support the initiative.
Community engagement and cultural experiences
Nyungwe Forest National Park is surrounded by local communities that have a deep connection with the forest. Visiting these communities offers a cultural experience where you can learn about their traditional ways of life and customs.
Your visit is a way of engaging in community-based tourism to learn of Rwandan culture and a deeper understanding of the park. Buying some of their handmade crafts is a way of improving their livelihoods.