Dian Fossey Facts, Biography (What did Dian Fossey Discover?)

Dian Fossey was an American primatologist and conservationist known for undertaking an extensive study of mountain gorilla groups from 1966 until her murder in 1985. She studied them daily in the mountain forests of Rwanda, initially encouraged to work there by paleoanthropologist Louis Leakey.

Dian Fossey Narrates Her Life With Gorillas in This Vintage Footage | National Geographic

The 1973 National Geographic film The Mountain Gorilla documented zoologist Dian Fossey’s study of and interaction with the great apes of Central Africa from 1967 to 1972.

Brief facts about Dian Fossey

American primatologist and environmentalist Dian Fossey spent her life studying and protecting Rwanda’s mountain gorillas. He entered this world on January 16, 1932, and left it on December 26, 1985.

Both Dian Fossey and Jane Goodall are regarded as forerunners in the field of primatology. To facilitate her day-to-day study in the Virunga Region, Dian Fossey founded the Karisoke study Centre in Rwanda in 1967.

She devoted 18 years of her life to learning about the endangered mountain gorillas before her untimely death in 1985.

She requested to be buried next to her beloved silverback gorilla, Digit. She is also responsible for founding the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, which continues Dian Fossey’s work to protect mountain gorillas in their native environment.

The Dian Fossey Hike

After being briefed at the Kinigi park offices in the morning, you will begin your hike to the Dian Fossey site. The journey to the tomb itself begins at 8:00 a.m. and takes roughly two to three hours. Expert rangers from Volcanoes National Park will take all of the tourists on the trip to Dian Fossey’s burial.

Travelers who have a lot of luggage can employ porters, and those who are having difficulty keeping up physically can start out on their journey with a walking stick. The trail to the tomb of Dian Fossey, located at an elevation of 2,967 meters, is a detour off the Mt. Bisoke walk. Take a stroll in the hagenia-filled terrain near Karisimbi Volcano.

You may see more of the park on the way to the Dian Fossey tomb site. Visit Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to see the stunning Virunga Volcanoes. You never know what kind of beautiful birds and other animals you might come across on your travels.

How much is hiking to the Dian Fossey tomb site?

Visitors to Rwanda who want to visit the Dian Fossey tomb site on a safari will need to bring USD $75.

You can get your Dian Fossey hiking permit through the Volcanoes National Park offices in Kinigi, or from the tourism offices in Kigali. Travel, lodging, and food expenses are not included in the quoted fee.

Can I see mountain gorillas on a hike to Dian Fossey tomb site?

While seeing the critically endangered mountain gorillas is not a given, it is a possibility. Alternatively, you can hike to the Dian Fossey tomb as part of a gorilla excursion.

Due to the great demand, tour permits to see the gorillas in Volcanoes National Park must be booked in advance and cost $1500 per person.

Is the Dian Fossey trek challenging?

All types of hikers can enjoy the path to Dian Fossey’s tomb. Beginner hikers should not worry about making it to and from the tomb site.

The difficulty of the Dian Fossey climb may increase if you plan to visit the park during the wet or rainy season, as the trail ascends to an altitude of roughly 2900 meters.

When it rains, the trails to the Dian Fossey tomb site become muddy and slippery, and the surrounding vegetation can get quite high (if not dense).

What should you expect?

Hikers should prepare for the journey to the Dian Fossey tomb site by bringing along food, water, and appropriate clothing, including waterproof boots, long pants, long-sleeved shirts, bug repellent, a sweater, and more.

Visitors will have the benefit of knowledgeable park rangers as companions throughout the hike. The park is home to a variety of avian and mammalian species, which can be spotted during a stroll.

When you get back to the lodge or Kigali from the Dian Fossey tomb site, you can reward the guides with a tip.