Dian Fossey Hike

Enjoy the Dian Fossey hike to her tomb

Dian Fossey is one of the famous wildlife conservationists who spend a lot of time in Rwanda studying and protecting the gorillas. Until today, he research and legacy still remain and many tourists from all over the world are interested in visiting her gave and research Center. Different travelers have different questions like how can I get to the tomb, how long is that trek, how much the trek cost among so many others.  Besides the grave site, you can also check out the research center and from there, you will learn more about her and her work in Rwanda.

Hiking to the Dian’s grave is one of the popular hikes done by tourists while in Volcanoes National Park. Besides Dian Fossey’s grave, there is also a gorilla cemetery close by in the previously known as the Karisoke Research Camp which was set up by Dian Fossey and strategically located between 2 volcanic mountains Visoke on one end and Mount Karisimbi on the other end thus he reason it was named Karisoke after combining both mountain names.

It takes about 30 minutes to get to the park headquarters where the trek starts from and there, you will find your guide who will guide you to the grave and the research centre. The trek itself takes between 90 minutes to 3 hours climbing through thickets and green forests but the time basically depends on how fast you are and long you take between breaks to enjoy the view. This hike is also perfect for those that also love birds because then you get an opportunity to see various bird species and so many other small creatures along the trail.

At the site, you will find the house where Dian Fossey is said to have been murdered from back then in 1985 and close by is her resting place where she was buried, very close to the home of the animals that she loved the most which are the mountain gorilla. Close to her grave are graves of about 20 other mountain gorillas that were killed by illegal hunters or died from other causes.

At the moment, this Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund does care for about 10 gorilla groups alongside other projects that help in conserving the gorillas and other animal species that live in this forest.

Just like the gorilla trek itself, the Dian Fossey trek is similarly an amazing experience and an emotional one as well. It is such an inspirational to many wildlife lovers and to those that are interested in learning more about her, her work and her legacy that still exists until to date.

If you are planning a trip to Rwanda, this is one of the places that you should not miss visiting especially if you love the mountain gorillas. This is the perfect additional activity to the mountain gorilla trek and the trek costs only US$75 per person and that figure includes the guides’ fees. The exercise starts at 7:00am from the Park Headquarters Kinigi and you follow trails indicated by the guide.  Unlike with the gorilla trek where you have to get the tracking permit before the tracking day, you can get the permit to go for the Dian Fossey trek in the very day and porters as well to help you carry your stuff for you if you can’t carry them. This might turn out to be one of the most educative wildlife journeys anyone has ever taken.