The hike to Dain Fossey’s grave in Rwanda
Dian Fossey came to East Africa in the early 1960th and later in 1967 started working towards the conservation of mountain gorillas in Rwanda, Uganda, and DR-Congo, Dain Fossey is one of the first primatologists to come to East Africa to do research on the mountain gorillas in the 20th century, Dain Fossey was born in 1932 in San Francisco United States of America, arrived in Africa in December 1966 via Nairobi Kenya and later killed by poachers on 26 December 1985 in Volcanoes national park of Rwanda.
Most of Dian Fossey’s life was spent doing extensive research on mountain gorillas in Rwanda, Uganda, and DR-Congo, Dian Fossey set a research bass at Karisoke Research center located in Volcanoes national park in Rwanda where she would come and visit other parks in Uganda and Congo, Dian Fossey advocated for mountain gorilla conservation, protected them from different diseases and poachers and also made sure that the world gets to know about mountain gorillas in Rwanda, Uganda and in DR-Congo.
The hike to Dain Fossey’s grave in Rwanda gives travelers the opportunity to know more about Dain Fossey’s efforts to mountain gorillas’ conservation in the world, Dian’s work with her connection with mountain gorillas reduced poaching and encroachments on the habitant of the gorillas.
Dain Fossey’s contribution toward gorilla habituation
Her contribution to habituating wild mountain gorillas so that they can feel comfortable with human presence during the trekking was one of the greatest contrition Dain Fossey contributed to Uganda and Rwanda because currently, gorilla trekking is the main tourist attraction in both Countries bringing in a lot of money which is about 10% GDP to both Uganda and Rwanda.
Habituation is the process that helps mountain gorillas to gain the trust of humans who had been fearful due to large-scale poaching, after mountain gorilla habituation is now possible for many other gorilla families/groups, and it is now possible for tourists and visitors to see those gentile creatures and interact with them at close-range in the deep jungles Bwindi Forest and in Virunga mountains.
The first person who started gorilla habituation in Africa was Dr. Leakey then later in 1960th he invited Dian Fossey who arrived in East Africa in December 1966 to study the behavior and life of mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, after the arrival of Dian Fossey she learned more about the gorillas (apes), Dain Fossey at some point channeled her efforts from gorilla research to gorilla protection and conservation which led to her death in 1985 as she opposes poaching, the good work Dain Fossey did attract hatred as she was killed in at her house in the middle of Volcanoes national park in Rwanda where she had her research bass.
Dain Fossey was buried in the middle of the park next to some of the gorillas she died trying to protect so the hike to Dain Fossey’s grave in Rwanda takes you to her grave and to the graves of some of the gorillas who died while she was trying to protect them.
The hike to Dian Fossey’s grave in Volcanoes national park?
For those who are interested in this hike to Dian Fossey’s tomb and gorilla, the cemetery is located close to Karisoke Research enter which was the main bass for all Daian Fossey work of research and conservation work, hiking to the Dain Fossey grave is an amazing experience of a daily activity that can be done a day before or after gorilla tracking in Rwanda or Uganda
The hike to Dain Fossey’s grave in Rwanda is the only way for those who love mountain gorilla conservation can appreciate the work of the greatest mountain gorilla researchers, on this hike tourists will get the opportunity to learn more about Dain Fossey’s work and also reflect on many things and challenge you physically as you hike up and down, apart from learning about Dian Fossey’s work and research on the mountain gorillas, this hiking activity gives you a chance to see the beauty of volcanoes national park in Rwanda.
While on the hike to Dian Fossey’s grave in Rwanda, you will see many other interesting things along the way such as different birds spices, and plants, if you a lucky you may meet gorillas and golden monkeys along the trail among the many other animals you can see along the way.
Is the hike to Dain Fossey’s grave in Rwanda very difficult?
The hike to Dian Fossey’s grave is not difficult and it can be hiked by both adults and children however some leave of physical fitness is required because at some points you will find it muddy especially if you are hiking during the rainy season, and at the starting point, it can be challenging but again not very difficult for beginners and experienced hikers.
This hike to Dain Fossey’s grave in Rwanda takes only between two hours for beginners and one and a half for experienced hikers, this starts in the morning with a briefing from the park rangers at Kinigi park heard offices for volcanoes national park, after the briefing you drive for 30 minutes to the starting point no the foot of the Mount Visoke.
During the hike there will be frequent stopovers for you to rest and also enjoy the amazing beautiful scenes of Rwanda as you also take photos for such important memories, when you finally reach the graveyard Dain Fossey at Karisoke research center, this site offers amazing views of the Virunga Mountain ranges which combines three nationals in three countries which are Virunga national park in DR- Congo, Mgahinga gorilla national park in Uganda and Volcanoes national park in Rwanda.
After visiting her grave, you will also visit the remnants of the house where she was killed on the night of 26 December 1985, feel free to take as many photos as you want, and also to understand more it is advisable to ask as many questions as you want from the ranger/guides who will be guiding.
What is the cost of Dain Fossey’s hike in Rwanda?
The hike to Dain Fossey in Rwanda costs only $75 per person so for those who have plans to add the Dain Fossey hike to their Rwanda safari, the first thing one needs to do is to book a hiking permit which can be booked through a local tour operator like us Kisoro tour or through any other trusted local company but you can as well book it directly from Rwanda Tourism Bord at their head offices in Kigali however booking through a tour operator is much convenient and easier.
You can reach us at info@kisorotoursuganda.com or call us at +256 785 790 925 also on WhatsApp for free information or a free quote
