The Dian Fossey grave hike is an extraordinary experience in Volcanoes National Park, northwestern Rwanda. The Dian Fossey grave hike will surely leave you with powerful memories long after you have finished this experience. The Dian Fossey grave is where her body rests after her mysterious murder on December 27th, 1985. Dian Fossey is a name that will forever echo in the hearts of many primatologists in particular and conservationists in general.
What was Dian Fossey known for?
Dian Fossey was a great primatologist and anthropologist, born in the United States of America in 1932. Before her passing, she had spent around 18 years making significant research on the mountain gorillas of the Virunga area. She put significant effort in ensuring that anti-poaching patrols are done in Volcanoes to capture people who were hunting mountain gorillas. Some of the poachers were jailed.
Exploring the Dian Fossey grave also offers opportunities to learn about the Karisoke Research Center. She established this scientific base in 1967 between Mount Bisoke and Mount Karisimbi. At Karisoke, many of her gorilla friends were buried after their deaths, some of which were in the hands of poachers. You will also understand why she desired to be buried next to the graveyard of ‘Digit.’ Digit was a silverback she loved so dearly before his death.
How long is the Dian Fossey grave hike?
You should be at the Volcanoes National Park headquarters before 7:00 AM to avoid missing out. From here you will drive for an hour to the starting point for your hiking experience. From the Volcanoes National Park boundary, the Dian Fossey grave is 1 hour and 30 minutes away on foot. Also, you may enjoy a 3-4 hour hike to the Karisoke Research Camp. Other highlights during the hike include views of forest elephants, forest hogs, birds, and trees, etc.
How much is the Dian Fossey hike?
You must have a hiking permit to enjoy the Dian Fossey grave hike. It is also possible to reserve the permit through a reputable tour operator like Standard Safaris. This is because reservations are based on first come, first served. So, to avoid disappointment, we are there to help on the matter. Each permit per person per hike costs USD 75. You must be at least 15 years old to go for the Dian Fossey Grave hike in Volcanoes National Park.
What is the best time to go to Rwanda for the Dian Fossey grave hike?
The Dian Fossey grave hiking experience being an outdoor activity is more suited for the dry season. Although Volcanoes National Park can be accessed throughout the year for the hike, kindly come in the dry months of the year. The driest months of the year in Volcanoes National Park are June and July. However, August, December, January and February are also dry, but with more chances of rainfall expected.
A Dian Fossey grave hike is highly recommended for visitors who love to have their experience done on drier grounds or forest trails. The atmosphere is also clearer since the heavens are not as often cloudy as in the wet seasons. The undergrowth is also less dense, thus facilitating movement in Volcanoes National Park. The reduced chances of rain falling during the day also make the adventure continuous.
But, activities in Volcanoes National Park are desired by many visitors in the dry season. Therefore, the destination might be more crowded during this time than in the wet season. So, if you prefer a more tranquil experience, you should visit Volcanoes National Park during the wet season. The wet season occurs here in March to May. September to November is another wet season that you can make good use of while planning the tour.
How to get to Volcanoes National Park for a Dian Fossey grave hike?
Getting to Volcanoes National Park is exclusively by road or air transport. By road, private transportation being the best option starts from various places including Kigali, Lake Kivu, Akagera National Park, and Uganda. From Kigali, you must cover almost 130 kilometers northwestwards to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters at Kinigi. A comfortable 4-wheel drive safari vehicle is available from Standard Safaris with a knowledgeable guide to drive you.
But air transport is also available for those who need a luxury mode of travel with aerial views of Rwanda. This is a 30-minute flight aboard a private helicopter from Kigali Airport to Musanze Airport. Upon your arrival, you will be met and greeted by our representative. Then you will be taken to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters for a Dian Fossey grave hike. Booking in advance is recommended and Standard Safaris can do this on your behalf.
For more information about the Dian Fossey grave hike and any tour activities in Volcanoes National Park, kindly communicate with us. We at Standard Safaris have a team of experienced designers of excellent tour packages tailored to fit your desire and schedule. We also offer tours throughout Rwanda and other East African countries like Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi.
