The one-day experience brought together more than 60 participants, including popular personalities such as Social Mulla, Ndimbati, Fally Merci, Rusine, Umushumba and Papy Ndahiro, for a mix of adventure and exploration in one of Rwanda's most iconic natural reserves.
Setting off early in the morning, the group immersed themselves in three of Nyungwe's signature attractions: ziplining, the canopy walk and guided hiking through the rainforest.
The highlight of the day was the ziplining experience, which unfolded across three sections named after Nyungwe's famous primates. Participants first crossed the 335-metre Chimpanzee Section, followed by the 580-metre Colobus Section, before concluding with the Monkey Section, the longest stretch spanning 1,020 metres. The experience offered sweeping aerial views of the dense forest canopy below.
After ziplining, the group proceeded to the Canopy Walk, a suspended bridge that provided a bird's-eye view of the rainforest, allowing participants to experience Nyungwe from a rare and elevated perspective. The adventure concluded with a guided hike, during which participants learned more about the park's rich biodiversity, flora and fauna.
Speaking to IGIHE, event organiser Amen Babu Rugemana expressed gratitude to partners, sponsors and celebrities whose online engagement helped amplify the experience.
'I want to thank everyone who made this trip possible, our sponsors, partners and the celebrities who shared photos and videos from the tour. Their support helps showcase Rwanda's beauty and tourism potential,' he said.
Buoyed by the positive response, Rugemana revealed plans to organise more similar trips aimed at encouraging Rwandans to explore local destinations.
'This was just the beginning. Many people are eager to discover Nyungwe and other attractions. I want to continue making these experiences accessible and bring people together to enjoy Rwanda's natural beauty,' he added.
Beyond adventure and entertainment, the tour aimed to inspire greater appreciation of Rwanda's natural heritage, encouraging locals to explore and take pride in the country's ecological treasures.
The growing attraction and adventure facilities at Nyungwe are part of Rwanda's broader strategy to leverage its natural heritage for sustainable tourism growth. Over the past year, Nyungwe National Park welcomed more than 26,000 visitors, a 20 per cent increase from 2023, generating over $2 million in revenue.
Nationwide, Rwanda's tourism sector earned over $647 million in 2024, a 4.3% rise compared to the previous year. That figure stood at just $7 million in 2005. The country now targets $1 billion in annual tourism revenue by 2030, according to Rwanda Development Board (RDB) CEO Jean-Guy Afrika.
Located in Rwanda's southwest, Nyungwe is one of Africa's most biodiverse rainforests. It is home to 98 mammal species, including 13 species of primates, representing 12% of all primates in Africa. The park also shelters over 1,000 species of flowering plants, 240 species of trees, and 320 species of birds, some of which are endemic.
This richness led to Nyungwe's inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2023, further strengthening its role as a cornerstone of Rwanda's conservation and eco-tourism strategy.
Rania Umutoni
