Kakum Canopy Walk, Ghana

Undoubtedly, this may come across as an improbable adventure. However, it is a thrilling experience that Amizade volunteers get to frequently enjoy when taking canopy walks through Kakum National Park during volunteer programs in Ghana.

The Canopy Walk at Kakum National Park is made up of 7 bridges that extend a length of over 330 meters and rest over 30 meters above the forest floor. It was first constructed by a Canadian non-governmental organization to trap parrots in the forest canopy as a source of income. Across over 1,000 feet of walkway, the bridges look as though they are constructed like a traditional rope bridge made from the materials of the forest. However, the sturdy spans are made of wire rope, aluminum, and wooden planks, and even have safety netting to keep people from plummeting off the trail.

Today, Canopy Walk is a majority tourist attraction in the area and has become one of the most significant drivers for economic development in the region. The appeal of the Canopy Walk is the fascinating viewpoint that it provides. Instead of a typical ground tour of the forest, one gets to trek along the narrow rope bridges several stories above the forest floor and gaze at the breathtaking scenery from a bird’s point of view. This unique experience has sparked a significant amount of tourism in the area, which has subsequently enhanced economic development in the region.