Dian Fossey museum is also known as Karisoke Research Center, located in the Volcanoes National Park in the northwest of Rwanda. The museum or research center is found in between Mount Karisimbi and Mount Bisoke from which its name “Karisoke” was derived, a combination of the two names.
Dian Fossey museum (Karisoke Research Centre) is one of the major attractions in Volcanoes National Park because it is one of the living memories of Dian Fossey an American primatologist and conservationist were known for undertaking studies and research about mountain Gorillas and advocating for their protection.
Karisoke Research Centre
The museum was started with two small tents which were headquarters for anti-poaching patrols on 24th September 1967 by Dain Fossey. Guests compliment gorilla trekking in Volcanoes with a visit to the Dian Fossey museum tour. A visit to Karisoke Research Centre Rwanda is one of the best things you can do at Volcanoes National Park. There is a museum with exhibits which have much more information regarding conservation, biology, and videos about the customs of mountain Gorillas.
Dian Fossey had got involved in the conservation of mountain Gorillas because she was worried that they would be extinct by the 20th century. She was murdered in 1985 by unknown people who dropped her body near her cabin. Her conservation effort provoked conservation organizations to get involved in the protection and conservation of the endangered mountain Gorillas after her death and the work is still going on to date. Today, Karisoke Research Centre uses modern technology in conducting a number of activities. It also partners with conservation organizations and local authorities to strengthen conservation work of the endangered mountain Gorillas. It established started using GPS to monitor the movement of Gorilla groups whereas the mapping of Gorilla habitat in the park was undertaken using hyper spectral remote sensing imagery. Karisoke Research Centre habituated golden monkeys in the park and works with university of Rwanda and provides led research opportunities for research purposes.
The Dian Fossey museum has also now become a center for training of the next generation of conservationists and scientists in Rwanda. The Fossey Fund brings hundreds of local university students to Karisoke each year for field courses, and training in conservation and scientific methods. Karisoke also hosts important educational programming, as well as regional conservation and scientific meetings.
Other must do in Rwanda include a Canopy walk tour in Nyungwe forests, an opportunity to explore the living forest with primate and bird watching above the tree tops plus a wildlife experience in Akagera National Park to encounter the Big 5 African mammals.