Dian Fossey hike is extraordinary and one of the most exciting experiences you should add on your list while planning to visit volcanoes national park in Rwanda. If you are good at hiking it can take you about 1.5 hours to reach Dian Fossey grave and Karisoke Research Center started by her and all these are found at an elevation of 3000 meters on mountain Karisimbi. Dian Fossey research center was once abandoned most especially during the Rwanda genocide that happened in 1990s. However there has been some rehabilitation at the center because it’s now an independent tourism attraction. If you want to visit these two we can help you and book for you to go see the grave yard.

About Dian Fossey

Dian Fossey was an American primatologist, researcher and a conservationist the world is proud of today. She studied primates and the good thing she loved children since she was a child.  Dian Fossey met Dr. Louis Seymour Bazett Leakey who got impressed by her love for wild animals and it was from here that Dian Fossey was told to study about primates in Africa and she specified in studying about mountain gorillas. She did her research for about 18 years in Virunga mountain ranges but on the side of DR Congo.

Dian Fossey arrived in DR Congo in 1967 and started her research but unfortunately she was arrested alongside her assistants when she was still conducting her research. By the help of prison guards, Dain Fossey escaped and went to Rwanda by September where she started up Karisoke research center between mountain Visoke / Bisoke and mountain Karisimbi. Her lovely mountain gorilla was called Digit and he is buried right in the gorilla cemetery. Dian Fossey did everything she could to save mountain gorillas, she fought poaching by chasing away poachers and burning their houses in volcanoes national park. Unfortunately Dian Fossey was found dead in one of her rooms in her cabin on 26^th December 1985 and she was buried near her beloved gorilla Digit.

Hike to Dian Fossey tomb site.

A hike to Dian Fossey grave starts with a briefing at Kinigi park headquarters of volcanoes national park at 7:00 am. After the briefing, the hikers are lead to the grave and this takes 1 – 2 hours depending on the speed of hikers. You will need a walking stick for balancing and a porter in case of heavy luggage.

What to pack for Dian Fossey hike.

Hikers to Dian Fossey grave are advised to have good waterproof hiking boots, water proof bag, insect repellents, to protect them from insects, energy giving snacks, a hat, walking stick, long sleeved shirts, and rain jack among others.

What to expect on Dian Fossey hike.

On Dian Fossey tomb trail hike, expect to hike through elevation of 3000 meters from mountain Bisoke trail to mountain Karisimbi via Hagenia forest zone. Because hiking to Dian Fossey trail is a bit difficult, you are advised to be physically fit. Hiking to Dian Fossey grave might take you 1 – 2 hours and you will have stunning views of mountain Karisimbi and mountain Bisoke, different vegetation, birds, golden monkeys and mountain gorillas if you are lucky.

Cost of Dian Fossey hike.

Dian Fossey hike might cost you $75 and this includes ranger guide fees. Visitors must have a hiking permit to participate in this activity.

Best time to hike to Dian Fossey tombs

Hiking to Dian Fossey tombs is done throughout the year in volcanoes national park. However the best time to hike to Dian Fossey grave is during the dry season which happens in the months of June to September and in December to February. During these months there is less rainfall and the trails are less slippery. The dry months are referred to as the peak season in al Rwanda national parks. You are therefore advised to book your gorilla permit in advance in order to avoid disappoints. A gorilla permit in Rwanda is bought at $1500 per person per trek.