DIAN FOSSEY TOMB HIKE · KARISOKE · VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK

Dian Fossey Tomb Hike in Rwanda: Karisoke, the Grave and How to Plan It

A guided hike from Kinigi to the place where Dian Fossey began her gorilla research in 1967, and where she is buried beside the gorillas she protected. The permit costs USD 75 per person, the start is at 07:00, and it is a separate day from gorilla trekking. This page explains the route, the effort, the rules and how to combine it with a gorilla trek.

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Dian Fossey's grave and the gorilla graveyard at Karisoke in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

Dian Fossey tomb hike: the key facts

PERMIT

USD 75 per person for a foreign non-resident adult, set by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB). It is a separate permit from the gorilla permit. Always confirm the current price with RDB.

START

Report to the visitor registration centre at Volcanoes National Park headquarters in Kinigi by 07:00. Five Volcanoes is about 15 minutes away by road.

TIME

RDB lists about 3 to 4 hours to reach Karisoke, including a 30-minute drive to the trailhead and a walk to the park boundary. Plan the whole morning and a relaxed afternoon.

DIFFICULTY

Moderate. Forest walking and uphill sections. You need reasonable fitness and patience, and the trail can be muddy.

MINIMUM AGE

15 years, the same as for gorilla trekking. Rules can change, so we reconfirm with RDB for your dates.

BOOKING

First come, first served through RDB. Your passport and visa details must be accurate, as they are checked at the park gate. Five Volcanoes can help coordinate the request.

THE STORY

Who was Dian Fossey, and what is Karisoke?

Dian Fossey (1932 to 1985) was an American primatologist. In September 1967 she founded the Karisoke Research Center in the saddle between Mount Karisimbi and Mount Bisoke, deep in what is now Volcanoes National Park. She spent almost two decades there studying mountain gorillas and fighting poaching.

In 1977 poachers killed Digit, a young male she had come to know well. His death turned her research into a fight to protect the gorillas. She was found dead in her cabin on 26 December 1985. Her book "Gorillas in the Mist" and the 1988 film of the same name made her story known worldwide.

Today you can walk to her grave. It lies beside Digit and other gorillas in the small graveyard she built herself. The original camp was destroyed in the 1990s, so only remnants of her cabin remain. The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund continues the research and conservation work in Rwanda.

What the hike is like, step by step

This is a forest walk to a historic place, led by an RDB guide. It is not a gorilla trek. Here is how the morning usually runs.

1 · REGISTRATION

Arrive in Kinigi by 07:00, register, meet your guide and get a short briefing. Bring your passport.

2 · DRIVE AND WALK IN

About 30 minutes by vehicle to the trailhead, then roughly 10 minutes across farmland to the park boundary.

3 · FOREST TO THE GRAVE

A steady climb through bamboo and montane forest to Karisoke. Your guide explains the history at the graveyard and the remains of the camp. Then you walk back down.

What to wear and bring

Sturdy waterproof hiking boots, long trousers, a long-sleeved shirt, a rain jacket, gloves for nettles, a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent and at least one litre of water. The same kit as for gorilla trekking works well. Porters are available at the park and are worth hiring, as they support local families. If you want to know how demanding the terrain is, read our guide on how difficult gorilla trekking in Rwanda is.

PLAN YOUR DAYS

How to combine the Dian Fossey hike with gorilla trekking

The tomb hike and a gorilla trek are two separate activities with two separate permits. Both start at Kinigi in the morning, so you cannot do them on the same day. Plan them on consecutive days.

The best order for most guests: gorilla trek first, tomb hike the next morning. The gorilla permit is the scarce one and is booked months ahead, so fix that date first. Then add the hike on a free day, subject to availability.

A three-night stay gives you one trekking day, one hike day and a relaxed arrival. See our gorilla trekking packages for the options, and what a trek costs to budget the permits. On request we can add the tomb hike to your stay and coordinate the permit with RDB.

WHERE TO STAY

Stay 15 minutes from the start of the hike

Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel is about 15 minutes from the park headquarters in Kinigi. You wake up close, have breakfast without rushing and reach the 07:00 registration on time. Full board is included, so lunch is ready when you return from the forest.

The hotel has 17 rooms and suites. Read more about where to stay near Volcanoes National Park, or see what else you can do in the area in our guide to things to do near Volcanoes National Park.

Dian Fossey tomb hike: frequently asked questions

How much does the Dian Fossey tomb hike cost?

RDB lists USD 75 per person for a foreign non-resident adult and USD 65 for foreign residents. Prices can change, so confirm before you book.

How long does the hike take?

RDB gives about 3 to 4 hours to reach Karisoke, including a 30-minute drive to the trailhead and a walk to the park boundary. Plan the full morning.

How hard is the Dian Fossey hike?

Moderate. The trail climbs through forest and can be muddy. Reasonable fitness is enough.

Can I see gorillas on the Dian Fossey hike?

The hike is not a gorilla trek, and sightings are never guaranteed. For gorillas you need a separate gorilla permit.

Can I do the hike and a gorilla trek on the same day?

No. Both start in the morning at Kinigi, so plan them on separate days.

What is the minimum age?

15 years, as for gorilla trekking. We reconfirm the rule with RDB for your dates.

Where do I start?

At the Volcanoes National Park headquarters in Kinigi, with registration at 07:00. Five Volcanoes is about 15 minutes away.

Can Five Volcanoes arrange the hike?

Yes. Tell us your dates and we coordinate the request with RDB, subject to availability.

Add the Dian Fossey hike to your Rwanda stay

Tell us your travel dates. We check availability, suggest the best order for trek and hike, and coordinate the permits with RDB.

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