Dian Fossey grave hike.

Dian Fossey went down in history as a celebrated American primatologist and conservationist who is renowned for her works in the Great Lakes region particularly in the Virunga massif.

Dian Fossey extensively studied mountain gorillas from the period between 1966 up to 1985 when she was murdered.  She studied mountain gorillas regularly and she is highly credited for pioneering mountain gorilla habituation activities in the Virunga massif, particularly in Rwanda which made the other researchers follow suit in the rest of the East African countries with mountain gorillas that is to say Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. 

Gorilla habituation processes are indeed paramount in tourism since they make mountain gorillas familiar with human beings’ presence in their natural habitat which is vital for tourism and gorilla tracking.

Dian Fossey’s legacy continues to live even today as she is commemorated through her grave site and her research work and other many projects she left on the way.

Hike to Dian Fossey grave site near Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.

The hike to Dian Fossey gravesite gives travelers experiences and inspiration from the life of the conservationist who is celebrated because she dedicated her entire life to the habituation of mountain gorillas and taking care of them.  Her activities contributed to the restoration of the numbers of mountain gorillas in the Virunga conservation area because she intervened at a period when the mountain gorillas were facing extinction due to human activities such as poaching and encroaching on their habitat in the name of cultivation and settlements. 

The hike to the gravesite is usually carried out in the morning and starts off with a briefing at the base of Mount Bisoke.  Visitors are provided with hiking sticks for extra support on the slopes of the mountain as they hike to the higher altitudes. The stunning views of the Virunga volcanoes are seen clearly while at the gravesite which makes it a good viewpoint and thus worthwhile.

Dian Fossey tomb trail branches off Mount Bisoke hike trail at approximately 2,967 meters above sea level.  Continue with the hike through the forested zone up to her grave.  She was buried next to her wild friend Digit and near many other gorillas that succumbed to death at the hands of poachers.

Its unique attributes as a top site.

Dian Fossey gravesite is close to Karisoke Research Center which was started by Dian Fossey.  She used to conduct her research and other activities of mountain gorillas from this Research Center and after her death, it is being used by other researchers for scientific purposes.

The Dian Fossey gorilla fund which was started by the conservationist continues to support various gorilla activities in the region for example habituation, treatment of communicable diseases,  remunerating the researchers and many others as the funds are obtained from tourism activities and international conservation bodies.

The gravesite is a top sightseeing destination since it provides good views of the Virunga ranges in its vicinity.  This therefore provides a golden opportunity for travelers to take beautiful photographs and videos of them that remind them of their East African adventures.

History of Dian Fossey gravesite.

The gravesite was at first a burial ground for gorillas but it later became famous for keeping the body of Dian Fossey after whom it is named. Tourist guides at the gravesite provide information about the life of the conservationist which helps other researchers and tourists to imitate her activities. The site was typically rebuilt to commemorate the activities and the life of Dian Fossey.

Location of Dian Fossey gravesite.

The gravesite is perched on the slopes of Mount Bisoke next to Karisoke Research Center in the Kinigi area near Volcanoes National Park. It is located in the Saddle land in between Mount Karisimbi and Bisoke at approximately 2,967 meters above sea level.

Dian Fossey tomb hike.

The hike to Dian Fossey gravesite is usually led by the Rangers of the National Park and professional tourist guides and could possibly go on for about one to three hours depending on the speed and fitness of the travelers.

Ecological significance of Dian Fossey gravesite.

Visits to the gravesite inspire travelers to be harmonious with wildlife and copy from the actions of Dian Fossey who dedicated her entire life to the well being of mountain gorillas that were on the verge of extinction.

Tourist guides and researchers at the gravesite explain the importance of wildlife to humans and to the entire ecosystem. Lessons that are learned from the site inspire travelers all over the world to be more tolerant of wildlife since we are meant to coexist with them.  This in the long run reduces the bad acts towards wildlife, especially poaching and other human-wildlife conflicts.

It should be noted that Dian Fossey and her team are credited for improving the numbers of the endangered mountain gorillas that were on the verge of extinction in the pre-1966 era mainly due to human activities.