A new tree-top canopy walkway is expected to open in Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Western Cape, early in March. The Boomslang Aerial Walkway will be situated in the Kirsten bosch Arboretum, which houses a collection of over 450 indigenous tree species. It is 130m long and peaks at roughly 11.5m above the ground, giving guests views above the forest. The canopy walk follows two years of planning and will be free to anyone who has entered the gardens, for which an entry ticket is required. In some states of Africa, canopy walk is anew activity but mostly liked by tourists because, it provides them a top view of the variety of special birds, plant species, animals among others.

In Rwanda, the canopy walk is operating in Nyungwe forest National park which is also known as the home of the amazing chimpanzees. From chimpanzee tracking, visitors transfer to Volcanoes national park for mountain gorilla trekking before leaving the land of a thousand hills.

The new canopy walk was designed by architects Mark Thomas and Christopher Bisset, the walkway was inspired by the form of a snake’s skeleton. It has been constructed from galvanized steel and will be painted to attract moss and growth. The walkway offers 360-degree views of Cape Town and the city’s mountain slopes. It also allows guests to experience the forest from high above the ground and see birds and other animals that are otherwise difficult to spot.

About Kirstenbosch

Kirstenbosch is South Africa’s world-famous national botanical garden, set against the backdrop of Table Mountain and Devil’s Peak, and home to more than 22 000 indigenous plants. Kirstenbosch grows only indigenous South African plants. The Kirstenbosch estate covers 528 hectares and supports a diverse fynbos flora and natural forest. The cultivated garden (36 hectares) displays collections of South African plants, particularly those from the winter rainfall region of the country. The Kirstenbosch Visitors’ Centre includes an information desk and various retail outlets and a coffee shop. The Centre for Home Gardening has outlets for plants and other services to support the home garden.

The canopy walk will be wheelchair accessible and was made possible by private funding but predominantly Mary Mullins. It is adventurous to move o the canopy walk as it rewards with the view of unique bird species which can not easily be seen while at the ground.