Dian Fossey Grave in Rwanda is one of the most popular key attractions in Volcanoes National Park. One of the greatest wonders inside Volcanoes National Park, there’s a trail to her former research camp and grave. This walk to the Dian Fossey Grave is about 2 to 3 hours with rest stops in between to get there, and you can see all kinds of animals on the way. The Dian Fossey grave is at an altitude of about 3000 meters above sea level.
Dian Fossey Grave
Dian Fossey was a primatologist, who loved animal’s right from the time she was a child. She spent nearly 18 years studying the gorillas in Congo and Rwanda, and she established the Karisoke Research Centre in between the two mountains Karisimbi and Bisoke in the year 1967, Dian Fossey was the first human to study and understand the complex behavior of mountain gorillas. She learned their body language, played with them and managed to win their acceptance.
She fought with poachers which won her many enemies through using extreme methods to scare them off hence reducing poaching significantly, but this didn’t go far and she was rested with her assistants in Congo in July 1967 by the army. Later, she escaped with the help of guards Park and this forced her to continue her work in the Rwandan side of the park where she set up the research center which still carries out research on gorillas to this date.
By the time of her brutal murder In December of 1985, Dian Fossey had won herself many enemies including some important players in animal trafficking and poaching. She was found murdered in the middle of the night in her home up to the mountains. Dian Fossey was buried in the research center alongside the gorillas she had given her all to protect.
Despite her tragic murder, Dian Fossey left a great legacy behind. She is credited for protecting the few mountain gorillas then from total extinction by using tough methods to stop poaching. It was Dian Fossey who first discovered how to make wild gorillas used to humans around them. Because of heavy poaching, the mountain gorillas feared humans and would attack anyone who came near them. Most of the principles used currently for gorilla habituation were first used by Dian Fossey. Rwanda gorilla safaris are therefore possible for visitors all over the world because of the early work of Dian Fossey.
During the Dian Fossey grave hike, you’ll go together with park rangers. The role of the rangers is to protect hikers from any stray wild animals or poachers. Poachers are almost non-existent and animals rarely attack park visitors but the park authorities will take no chances. This makes it a very safe African country. On your way to the ruins of Dian Fossey grave, you can observe plenty of wildlife. There are small primates and many different birds. You might even get lucky and spot the endangered mountain gorillas and golden monkeys along the mountain slopes. As you climb the mountains, you can observe the beautiful Albertine rift valley among the volcanoes.
Once you reach the grave, you have enough time to pay homage to Dian Fossey and learn about her work with the gorillas. She is buried in a cemetery with several of her favorite gorillas including Digit. After taking time in the gorilla cemetery, you can proceed to her former Karisoke Research Centre and living quarters.
Dian Fossey Grave hiking permit.
You need to acquire a permit before embarking on the Dian Fossey hike. If you are planning to go between the months of June to September, you should buy the permit a few months in advance. It’s the high season and many tourists visit the park. Yet, this hike is not as in demand as those of gorilla trekking. The permits can be secured from the official website of the Rwanda Development Board or use the services of a tour operator. A permit costs 75 USD and includes a guide.
How difficult is the Dian Fossey Hike?
The hike to her grave takes about two to three hours with rest stops in between to eat a snack and drink water. It’s not difficult for regular hikers but beginners may get tired of it. The terrain is very muddy during the rainy season so you have to take careful steps so as not to fall. Walking sticks are great to keep balance and you should definitely get hiking boots.
You can explore Dian Fossey grave while observing rare gorillas in their natural habitat. When you plan your safari in Rwanda, you should definitely include this hike. This experience will enrich you spiritually as you will get a deep understanding of Dian’s lifework. Rwanda has millions of secrets to explore in the most experiential way possible including the most iconic visit to the Chimpanzees in Nyungwe forests. The forest is home to a high population of primates including the colobus monkeys. Visitors get to learn about the most prolific, iconic and rare species, so get your cameras ready during your visit to this remarkable place in Africa!