Dian Fossey Grave Visit
Dian Fossey Grave Visit, Tomb Hiking Safaris Rwanda | Guide
Can you visit Dian Fossey’s grave? –Yes! Learn everything essential about hiking to Dian Fossey grave or tomb site in Volcanoes National Park.
A visit to her grave offers nature lovers the chance to reflect on the remarkable conservation journey Dian Fossey undertook during her 18 years as a devoted researcher and environmentalist.
Nestled in the picturesque meadows between Karisimbi and Bisoke Mountains, Dian Fossey’s graveyard is located in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda.
At the tomb site, the graves of gorillas she deeply cared for rest nearby (includes the Digit tomb)
If you are passionate about conservation or wildlife protection, retracing Dian Fossey’s steps to her grave is a rewarding experience.
Guide to the Dian Fossey Graveyard/Tomb Site
How long is the hike to the tombs of Dian Fossey?
A memorable day trek to the Dian Fossey grave begins with a briefing and allocation of the park ranger guides. The session runs from 2 to 5 hours or less, depending on the visitors’ walking speed.
At the graveyard, you can be shown the Digit grave, where Digit, the silverback gorilla that Dian Fossey loved.
Digit was laid to rest next to his guardian in the beautiful landscapes of Karisimbi and Visoke Volcanoes slopes.
About Dian Fossey’s life – Rwanda Safaris
Dian Fossey began her conservation journey to protect the gorillas in the Virunga.
She settled at the Volcanoes National Park, where she spent 18 years till she met her death in 1985.
We commemorate the life of Dian Fossey today, given her remarkable efforts to save mountain gorillas.
The world boasts of 1063 mountain gorillas today, but the journey to save their lives and habitats started a long time ago.
At the Virunga, Dian Fossey fought so hard against the poachers and also helped to bring her story and the plight of the mountain gorillas to the world stage.
The need to protect mountain gorillas remains urgent given their status.
Dian Fossey set up the research base at the Virunga slopes to enable her research activities.
She initiated the Digit Fund, currently referred to as the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.
Today, what started as a research camp is an established Karisoke Research Center, which still plays a pivotal role in conducting research on mountain gorillas and habitat management.
What Should You Expect?
The Dian Fossey grave visit involves walking through the reasonable elevation to reach the tomb site.
The visit is done with the lead of a professional guide assigned to you by the park authorities.
As you walk, you can come across some amazing birds and flora.
What is the Cost of the Dian Fossey Tomb/Grave Visit?
The foreign non-residents can pay US Dollars 75, foreign residents USD 60, and East African citizens USD 55 per person.
The Rwandan nationals pay RWF 4,000, and the cost covers the hiking experience and park ranger services.
Add on Activities to the Dian Fossey Tomb Visit
Volcanoes NP Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla trekking is the top-listed primate adventure that offers you a rare opportunity to explore mountain gorillas in the wild.
An addition of gorilla trekking to the Dian Fossey graveyard visit is a perfect way to spice up your holiday.
Like Dian Fossey’s tomb/graveyard visit, mountain gorilla trekking also mainly focuses on hiking through the rainforest.
The walk with mountain gorillas allows you to interact with unusual apes in their habitat, which isn’t the case with several gorillas that are spotted in the zoo.
The Volcanoes gorilla trekking experience begins from Kinigi park offices with an orientation that can extend for 3 hours.
During the orientation, expect to learn a bit of the gorilla trekking guidelines, and for the park official to assign you a family of mountain gorillas that you can visit.
The standard trek with the Rwanda mountain gorillas lasts for 2-6 hours and covers one mandatory hour for an up-close and personal encounter.
Visiting the Volcanoes mountain gorillas is possible, but only for persons who have valid permits. The Rwanda gorilla permits cost US Dollars 1500 per person.
The permits for Rwanda gorilla trekking can be booked through a trusted tour operator.
Flawless Adventure Planners Ltd is the right company to contact for you to secure a valid Rwanda gorilla permit.
Rwanda golden monkey tracking
Visit Volcanoes National Park not only for up close with mountain gorillas or exploring the Dian Fossey legacy, but also to encounter the beautiful golden monkeys.
The stunning golden monkeys reside within the Volcanoes National Park, with visits conducted to the habituated troops.
Compared to most trekking experiences, golden monkey tracking is a light adventure offering visitors 2-4 hours of searching.
Later, you enjoy an absolute 1 hour for taking pictures or observing them in the jungle.
Golden monkey tracking permits in Rwanda cost US Dollars 100 per visitor and can be booked through Flawless Adventure Planners.
Cultural experience
At Flawless Adventure Planners, our packages offer visitors a chance to also enjoy the unique cultures and traditions of the Rwandan people.
An addition of the cultural safari experience at the Iby’Iwacu village lets you explore more about Rwandan traditions and cultures.
At Iby’Iwacu village, expect to have a close interaction with locals, especially the ex-poachers who have become strong advocates of gorilla conservation.
Volcano hiking experiences
Volcanoes National Park is where you can find the 5 Virunga Mountains, offering excellent volcano hiking opportunities.
The ideal volcanoes to conquer on guided mountain climbing include Bisoke (3711m) and Karisimbi (4507m).
Other Virunga volcano mountains include Muhabura, Sabyinyo, and Gahinga.
Majority of these (Gahinga, Sabyinyo, & Muhabura) are best hiked on the Ugandan side, particularly in the Mgahinga National Game Park.
When to visit
The best time to travel to Rwanda is during the dry season, which is from June to September. Or December. January. February.
The peak dry months offer excellent hiking conditions for tourists as they conquer the high elevation to reach the Dian Fossey graveyard.
Visits to explore Dian Fossey’s graveyard can also be made during the low or off-peak months – March to May/October to November.
The only challenge associated with the wet or off-peak months is heavy rainfall, which can cause inconvenience.
Accommodation
Luxury accommodation to book during the Dian Fossey grave visit includes Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Bisate Lodge, Singita Lodge; One & Only Gorilla’s Nest.
The midrange lodge options include La Palme Hotel. Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge. Mountain Gorilla View Lodge. Gorillas Volcanoes Hotel, and Da Vinci Lodge.
Budget lodges to consider include Hotel Muhabura, Urugano Virunga Palace, and Kinigi Guesthouse.
How to get to Volcanoes National Park to visit the Dian Fossey tomb site
From Kigali to Volcanoes National Park can take you a total of 2-3 hours when driving a 4×4 safari.
Flights can also be organized whereby you can take off from Kigali International Airport and land at Musanze Airport.
Visitors around Nyungwe can also connect to Volcanoes National Park in about 4 to 5 hours’ drive.
Brief 4 Days Dian Fossey Tomb Hike Package
Day 1: Pick up at Kigali Airport & Drive to the Hotel
Day 2: Kigali City Tour; travel to Volcanoes NP
Day 3: Gorilla trekking-Iby’Iwacu combo
Day 4: Dian Fossey graveyard hike & Return to Kigali