DIAN FOSSEY GRAVE SHRINE TOUR IN VOLCANOES PARK WITH AFRICANMECCA

Dian Fossey Grave Tomb Tour Guide For Volcanoes Park

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When talk turns to the famed mountain gorillas of Rwanda, the name Dian Fossey is sure to come up. As you spend time with these amazing, human-like animals, you cannot help but wonder about the heartlessness and cruelty of the poachers who were prepared to wipe them out for profit. While the gorillas still face threats to this day, visitors who have the opportunity to enjoy this experience feel eternally thankful for the efforts of this gutsy woman, who was instrumental in directing the attention of the global community to the plight of these endangered gorillas. Thanks to her unyielding efforts, wildlife vacationers today are able to view them in their native habitat and marvel at their gentleness and intelligence.

Dian Fossey was a primatologist and anthropologist who spent 18 years of her life studying the magnificent gorilla families of Volcanoes National Park. An American, Fossey loved animals as a child and spent most of her time on a friend's farm. She studied at San Jose State College and earned a degree in occupational therapy in 1954. Restless with her life in that field, in 1963 she spent her life savings on a trip to Africa. Here she met famed anthropologists Louis and Mary Leakey, who were conducting research at the Olduvai Gorge in northern Tanzania, as well as wildlife photographers Joan and Alan Root, who invited her along on one of their trips while producing a documentary on African gorillas. With the encouragement of the Leakeys, who believed studying the gorillas might add to their understanding of human origins, Fossey traveled to what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo and set up camp at Kabara in 1967, intending to study the gorillas of the Virunga Mountains.

After a brush with the Ugandan military, Fossey was advised by Louis Leakey to continue with her research in Rwanda. In September 1967 she set up a new camp at Karisoke, a location between the Karisimbi and Bisoke mountains. Using the Karisoke Research Center, at an elevation of 3,000 meters, as a base, she surveyed and toured the area extensively while trying to get the primates to accept her presence.

Having been exposed to poachers, the mountain gorillas were fearful of humans; but Fossey and her team patrolled the area and rescued as many of the babies as possible after their families were killed. As she continued her efforts in Rwanda, she soon earned the name Nyirmachabelli, or Nyiramacibiri, which translates to "the woman who lives alone on the mountain.” Not only did she gain the trust of the gorillas, but she was also able to get support from international organizations such as the Mountain Gorilla Project, Fauna Preservation Society, World Wildlife Fund, and African Wildlife Foundation. Unfortunately, her work also attracted the attention of poachers.

In December 1985, Fossey paid for her love for the gorillas with her life and was found murdered at her research camp. She was buried at the same site where she had interred her gorilla friends, including Digit, a beautiful silverback who was shot by poachers. Should you wish to pay your respects at her tomb, this is the place you will visit. The trip there begins at the headquarters of Volcanoes National Park, with a 30-minute drive to the starting point of the trail. You will need to hike for an hour to 90 minutes to reach the campsite at Karisoke. The trail is steep in places, but offers another opportunity to spot small animals and birds and enjoy the breathtaking natural beauty of this Rwandan reserve. Visiting Fossey’s grave is a poignant experience, as it adjoins the burial spots of 20 gorillas. You will come away from your travels inspired by her legacy and vowing to do all you can for the wildlife of the world.

Other Activities Around Volcanoes National Park

1. Golden Monkey Trek	2. Iby'Iwacu Cultural Village Tour
3. Dian Fossey Grave Shrine Tour	4. Musanze Caves Tour
5. Mount Karisimbi Hike	6. Mount Bisoke Hike
7. Buhanga Forest Eco-Park Tour