Ziplining in Nyungwe National Park from Kigali: Three sections up to 500m

Three zipline runs, a canopy walk 70 meters up, and a waterfall hike through rainforest

A one-day trip from Kigali to Nyungwe National Park combines ziplining, a canopy walk on a 160-meter suspension bridge, and a hike to Ndambarare waterfall. Pickup starts at 4 a.m., the drive takes about five hours each way, and a professional guide leads all activities. The zipline has three sections, the longest spanning 500 meters. Lunch, coffee, water and park entry are included depending on which activities you choose.

Step-by-step itinerary

Nyungwe National Park adventure

• Pickup from Kigali hotel early morning
• Stop at STAFFORD Coffee for breakfast
• Drive to Nyungwe National Park
• Zipline experience at Uwinka Visitor Center
• Canopy walk on Igishigishigi trail
• Lunch break at Uwinka Reception Center
• Hike to Ndambarare waterfall
• Return drive to Kigali

The experience

The day starts with a 4 a.m. pickup from your Kigali hotel in a private 4x4 vehicle. The drive to Nyungwe takes five to six hours on a scenic route, with a stop at Stafford Coffee for breakfast and a leg stretch. You arrive at the park ready to move, no waiting around. The zipline experience begins at the Uwinka Visitor Center, where you'll clip into three separate runs. The longest spans 500 meters and carries you out over the canopy. The sections vary in length and give you time to settle into the rhythm of it.

After ziplining, you move to the canopy walk on the Igishigishigi trail. This is a 160-meter suspension bridge anchored 70 meters above the forest floor, and it gives you a different kind of aerial view: slower, steadier, and long enough to spot the rare birds and primates that live in Nyungwe's upper story. A guide walks with you and points out what moves in the branches. Lunch follows at the Uwinka Reception Center, then you head to the Ndambarare waterfall. The hike is a 9.6-kilometer round trip and takes about three and a half hours. The trail cuts through rainforest and ends at a remote waterfall. The walk is the point as much as the destination.

Your guide speaks English or French and knows the park's history and wildlife. The return drive to Kigali leaves in the late afternoon, getting you back by early evening. Bring comfortable hiking shoes and rain gear. The forest is wet. A camera is worth carrying. The light through the canopy and the waterfall both reward it.

What’s included

• Pickup and drop-off from your Kigali hotel or airport in a private 4x4 vehicle.
• professional guide in English or French.
• zipline, canopy walk and waterfall entry fees based on your chosen activities.
• lunch at Uwinka Reception Center.
• coffee and breakfast stop at Stafford Coffee.
• chilled beverages and drinking water throughout the day.

Options for this experience

3 options

Zipline and Canopy WalkGuide in English or French · 04:00, 04:15 and 04:30Nyungwe Zipline and Canopy Walk: Travel from Kigali to Nyungwe on a striking route through rolling hills and spectacular scenery. Premium: Enjoy a thrilling zipline and stroll high above the ancient rainforest on the famous canopy walkway before returning. Duration: 1 day. Meals and drinks included: lunch, coffee, chilled beverages and plenty of drinking water. Kigali – Huye – Nyungwe Forest: Enjoy a magnificent scenic drive from Kigali through Huye to Nyungwe National Park and back. Vehicles: 4x4 SUV and 4x4 safari vehicle. Please note: this option does not include the zipline and canopy walk fees. International non-residents pay USD 125 per person upon arrival. Pickup is included.

Ndambarare Waterfall HikeGuide in English or French · 04:00, 04:15 and 04:30Guided Ndambarare Waterfall: Travel from Kigali through Rwanda's stunning hills and scenic countryside to Nyungwe National Park. Premium: Hike through the lush rainforest to the beautiful Ndambarare Waterfall before enjoying a comfortable return to Kigali. Duration: 1 day. Meals and drinks included: lunch, coffee, chilled beverages and plenty of drinking water. Kigali – Huye – Nyungwe Forest: Enjoy a magnificent scenic drive from Kigali through Huye to Nyungwe National Park and back. Vehicles: 4x4 SUV and 4x4 safari vehicle. Please note: this option includes the Ndambarare Waterfall hiking fee. Pickup is included.

Canopy Walk, Zipline and WaterfallGuide in English or French · 04:00 and 04:30Zipline, Canopy Walk and Waterfall: Get ready for a long but rewarding day discovering the highlights of Nyungwe. Travel from Kigali along a stunning scenic route. Premium: Enjoy the exciting zipline, the famous canopy walk and the Ndambarare Waterfall hike before heading back to Kigali. Duration: 1 day. Meals and drinks included: lunch, coffee, chilled beverages and plenty of drinking water. Kigali – Huye – Nyungwe Forest: Take in a magnificent scenic drive from Kigali through Huye to Nyungwe National Park and back again. Vehicles: 4x4 SUV and 4x4 safari vehicle. Please note: this option covers the Nyungwe zipline, canopy walk and Ndambarare Waterfall hiking fees. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 04:00, 04:15 and 04:30

Book up toStart time

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 31 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 100

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical level

Operated by Afri Safaris

Is this one for you?Choose the canopy walk and zipline option if you want the aerial views without the longer waterfall hike, or bundle all three if you have the fitness for a full day of walking and climbing. The early 4 a.m. start and five-hour drive are what fit all three activities into one day without rushing any of them.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and French.

What's the longest zipline section like?

The longest zipline spans 500 meters and carries you out over the forest canopy. The three sections vary in length, so you build confidence on the shorter runs before the longest one.

How high is the canopy walk suspension bridge?

The canopy walk is a 160-meter bridge suspended 70 meters above the forest floor on the Igishigishigi trail. It's a guided walk, and the height gives you views of the upper canopy where rare birds and primates live.

How long is the waterfall hike?

The Ndambarare waterfall hike is a 9.6-kilometer round trip that takes about three and a half hours. The trail passes through rainforest and ends at a remote waterfall.

What time does the day start and end?

Pickup from your Kigali hotel is at 4 a.m., and the return drive gets you back to the city by early evening. The drive to the park takes five to six hours each way.

What's included in the price?

Pickup and drop-off from anywhere in Kigali, private 4x4 transport, a professional guide, lunch, coffee, water, and entry to Nyungwe National Park are all included. The specific park fees depend on which activities you choose: waterfall hike only, canopy walk and zipline, or all three.