Dian Fossey Grave Tour Trek

• Rwanda Excursions

Tour Ref MSA 1710

Tour Highlight: Kigali City / Dian Fossey Museum / Kigali city

This tour takes half of the day and is suitable for travelers of 15 years of age and above. As well, you must be physically fit for the tour. Today, you will start your tour early and drive to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters where you will meet your local guide. After a short briefing on your tour, you shall be driven around 30-minutes to the starting point. You will pass through dense bamboo and hagenia forest en route and you may spot golden monkeys jumping through the trees. The trek takes around 3-4 hours, and on the journey your guide will be able to give you more information on Dian Fossey and the impact of her research

Dian Fossey is famous for her research work on the mountain gorillas. She first visited Rwanda in 1963 and started studying their physiology and behavior for over 18 years. During her research work, she raised awareness of their vulnerability and promoted conservation initiatives including setting up the Karisoke Research Foundation.

During her work, she made friends and enemies in equal measure. Some of her enemies were the poachers and those who wished to convert the gorillas’ habitat to farmland. Sadly, in 1985, she was found murdered at her research station. In her memory, the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International was founded to advance her legacy and the conservation work. She was buried on the slopes of Mt Karisimbi near the graves of the same gorillas that she studied. One of such graves is that of her favorite gorilla named Gigit as well as others killed by the poachers. You will see the ruins of her house and her grave. From the grave, you will head back down the mountain to meet your vehicle.