Walking to the Dian Fossey Tomb| Rwanda Safari

When we talk about the Dian Fossey Tour, many people will wonder: What is there to see at the grave or even at the Research Center? How to reach there? How much this trek costs? And how long the walk is? They also ask themselves How it to organize this tour? What else is there to see besides her tombstone or even hoe the research center looks like.

Where is the Dian Fossey Tombstone located?

In Rwanda, among the most renowned hikes while on a Rwanda Safari in Volcanoes National Park found is that to Dian Fossey’s Tomb as well as the nearby gorilla cemetery within the formerly Karisoke Research Camp. Back in time, Dian Fossey established this Karisoke scientific center in the area just between 2 volcanoes of Mt Visoke as well as Mount Karisimbi (from which its name Karisoke was derived).  This camp site is found at an altitude of nearly 3000meters (more than 9000 feet) and was deserted during the wars of the early1990’s.

How Long is the Walk to the Dian Fossey Tombstone?

This amazing trek incorporates a 30-minutes drive from the park headquarters to the trailhead, and from there you will walk for about 10 minutes to the park border. then you will ascend through the verdant forest and this may take about one and a half hours to 3 hours, depending on one’s physical fitness and how the number of stop you will make to enjoy the stunning scenery. Later you will descend back and this will take approximately 2 hours. Today the living quarters of Fossey which she nick-named ‘mausoleum’ stands in ruins.

What To See on this Walk?

There are also a couple of other landmarks to be seen around this camp besides the tomb, and there are clear sign posts to direct. This hike offers a great opportunity to see different types of birds plus some smaller animals especially monkeys.

By visiting this well-known site one will have a chance to personally see the actual house in which the icon Dian Fossey was oddly murdered in 1985. You will also see where she was buried right close to the grave of a gorilla that she loved most. Unfortunately this mountain gorilla was brutally killed by poachers.

Some of the words Engraved on the tomb stone of Dian Fossey say “No one loved mountain gorillas more.. ” this is in memorial for her great love and true dedication to the conservation of mountain gorillas in Rwanda.

In her journal, among the last words Dian Fossey wrote that once one discovers the value of life, they certainly will depend less on the past and put more focus on conserving the near future.

The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund

Today, the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund is monitoring Ten gorilla families (out of the 15 living in Rwanda), plus other projects to help conserve gorillas as well as other animals living in that region.

This trekking experience will reward you physically intellectually and also emotionally. It is very inspiring to find out about a person who dedicated her entire life and left behind a great legacy concerning gorilla conservation that is to date still being remembered not only in Rwanda but in the entire world.

For those of you on safari in Rwanda and are interested in taking part on this walk, A Park-entrance charge of US$75 is paid per individual, and this includes the fee for the guide. The walk starts at the headquarters of the park by 7:00am in Kinigi. Permits may be acquired on the real hiking day at the headquarters; there you may also hire porters to help you carry your bags.