DIAN FOSSEY TOMB HIKE · KARISOKE · VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK

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

Name: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
Address: Musanze-Kinigi Road, Musanze, Northern Province, RW
Telephone: +250 789 924 969

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.

Where to Stay Near the Park Compare 2, 3 & 4-Night Stays

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

WRITTEN & REVIEWED BY

Florian Goppold, Head of Marketing & Sales at Five Volcanoes

Florian works on the ground in Rwanda and has trekked to the gorillas in Volcanoes National Park himself. He photographs and films the treks for Five Volcanoes and checks this page against what our guests experience on site.

Permit details are confirmed by Odile, our Reservations Coordinator in Kigali, who is in daily contact with the Rwanda Development Board.

FACT CHECK

Last reviewed: November 2026

Permit prices: official Rwanda Development Board (RDB) rates. Source: rdb.rw and visitrwanda.com

Hotel and package prices: Five Volcanoes rates 2026/27

Found something outdated? Tell us and we correct it.

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.

WHICH JOURNEY IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

Which gorilla trekking package should you choose?

All three journeys include your official gorilla permit, Full Board at Five Volcanoes and a private vehicle with driver. The difference is time: how many treks you do and how much rest you get between them. Prices are per person, two guests sharing, Standard Room, Low Season.

ESSENTIAL

2 nights · Essential Stay

From USD 2,435 per person

Best for: travellers short on time who want the gorilla trek with a lodge 15 minutes from park headquarters.

Not ideal if: you also want Golden Monkey trekking, a Dian Fossey hike or a slower pace. There is little room if your trek day has to move.

What you get: gorilla permit, Full Board, private vehicle and driver from Kigali.

RECOMMENDED

3 nights · Signature Journey

From USD 2,815 per person

Best for: most travellers: gorillas and golden monkeys on separate mornings, without rushing.

Not ideal if: you only have two nights, or someone in your group is under 12 (Golden Monkey minimum age).

What you get: gorilla permit, Golden Monkey permit (USD 100 per person) when you book direct, Full Board, private vehicle and driver.

SLOW

4 nights · Slow Volcanoes Journey

From USD 3,295 per person

Best for: couples, photographers, travellers aged 50 and over and anyone who prefers a slower pace.

Not ideal if: your time or budget is tight. The 3-night journey covers the same two treks.

What you get: gorilla trek, a full rest day with pool, sauna and gardens, Golden Monkey trekking, Full Board, private vehicle and driver.

OUR RECOMMENDATION

First gorilla trek and three nights to spare? Choose the 3-night Signature Journey. You trek with the gorillas, add Golden Monkey trekking on another morning, and keep room in your plan if your trek day has to move.

Celebrating, travelling as a family or as a group? Our Honeymoon & Anniversary Journey, Family & Multigenerational Journey and the private Volcano Manor are quoted on request. Gorilla trekking minimum age is 15, Golden Monkey trekking 12, set by the Rwanda Development Board.

Price calculator · 2026/27

What will your gorilla trekking trip cost?

Choose your nights, room, season and group. You see the package price per person and for your whole group, with the gorilla permit, Full Board and a private driver included.

Nights at Five Volcanoes

Room

Season

Low Season: 1 March to 31 May and 1 October to 15 December. High Season: all other dates.

Guests

Package prices: solo in its own room, or two guests sharing one room. Travelling as three or with children? Choose 3 guests and Florian sends you a personal quote.

Your gorilla permit rate

Promotional permit rates set by the Rwanda Development Board: valid until 31 December 2026 and not from June to October 2026. Proof of citizenship or residency is required.

Your estimate

USD 2,815per person

Total for your groupUSD 5,630

Gorilla permit, Full Board and a private vehicle with driver for every day.
Golden Monkey permit included when you book direct.

Send this estimate to Florian on WhatsApp

Estimate based on published 2026/27 rates. Your written proposal confirms the exact price for your dates before any payment. Honeymoon Cottage, Family Suite, Triple Deluxe Room and Volcano Manor are quoted on request.

Travelling in 2028? Lock in today's prices.

Our 2028 rates are not released yet. Confirm your booking with us by 31 December 2026 and we guarantee today's prices for your 2028 stay: room, transport, activities and your gorilla permit. We will not raise them.

Gorilla permit prices are set by the Rwanda Development Board and may rise from 2027. When you book with us now, we reserve your permit at today's price and secure your date while it is still available.

Your room moves to new dates free of charge, subject to availability. Moving a gorilla permit carries a fee of USD 300 per permit.
Cancellations 60 or more days before arrival carry no fee.

Secure my 2028 dates

What changed in 2026

Rwanda Development Board promotional permit rates: USD 200 per permit for Rwandan and East African citizens and USD 500 for African citizens and foreign residents in Africa, valid until 31 December 2026.
New price calculator: package prices per person for 2, 3 and 4 nights, with your permit rate included.
2028 price guarantee: confirm with us by 31 December 2026 and keep today's prices for your 2028 stay.

Last updated: 14 November 2026

How we price

Package prices are our public 2026/27 website rates, per person with two sharing. They include the gorilla permit at the official Rwanda Development Board price, Full Board and a private driver. You book direct with us, with no commission and no DMC mark-up.

See the full cost breakdown

WHAT OUR GUESTS SAY

Planned by one team in Rwanda. Reviewed by our guests.

Real words from real guests, from the first enquiry to the gorilla trek and the airport drop-off.

4.7 / 5

TRIPADVISOR RATING

333

TRIPADVISOR REVIEWS

No. 3 of 13

HOTELS IN KINIGI

2026

TRAVELLERS' CHOICE AWARD

GUEST REVIEW

“Exceptional service from the first message to the airport drop-off”

“Florian, the Sales Manager, contacted me within 30 minutes. He listened carefully, answered every question and prepared a clear proposal with the total cost, room photos, transfers and permit process.”

“Five Volcanoes is ideal for travellers who want trustworthy permit coordination, transparent pricing, excellent food, attention to mobility needs and one reliable team handling everything from the first enquiry to the airport transfer.”

Eva G.

GUEST REVIEW

“An absolute standout experience”

“From the outset, Florian made the planning and booking process effortless, while Odile ensured all on-the-ground logistics and daily details ran without a hitch.”

“The highlight—the mountain gorilla trek itself—was nothing short of extraordinary and exceeded all expectations.”

Guest, 4-day gorilla trekking trip

Read every review: Tripadvisor · Google. Tripadvisor figures as of November 2026.

BEFORE YOU BOOK

Your 5 biggest questions about gorilla trekking in Rwanda

These are the questions guests ask us most. Straight answers, no small print.

1. Will I get a gorilla permit for my dates?

Permits are limited each day, and the best dates go first. When you book direct, we secure your gorilla permit for you and confirm it together with your stay. Send Florian your dates and he checks availability for you.

2. How do I get from Kigali to the lodge?

A private vehicle and driver from Kigali is included in every package. You do not book a taxi, a tour or a transfer on the side. Your driver brings you to Five Volcanoes, takes you to the park on trek day and drives you back.

3. Am I fit enough? What about age and children?

The minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15 and for Golden Monkey trekking 12, set by the Rwanda Development Board. Tell Florian about your age, fitness and any health concerns. He plans your days around them, with a rest day when you want one.

4. What does the whole trip cost?

One package price covers your gorilla permit, your stay, Full Board and your private vehicle and driver from Kigali. Packages start from USD 2,435 per person, two guests sharing. Use the calculator on this page for your dates and group size. International flights are not included.

5. Why book direct with Five Volcanoes?

You deal with the team on the ground, not a call centre. Florian answers you personally and plans your trip with the lodge. When a higher room category is free on your dates, direct guests get a complimentary upgrade.

FREE ADVICE · NO OBLIGATION

Plan your gorilla trek directly with Florian

Ask your questions before you book: travel dates, permits, which journey fits you and the full cost. Florian advises you personally. Free, with no obligation to book.

Chat with Florian on WhatsApp

Prefer email? Write to marketing@fivevolcanoesrwanda.com

PLAN YOUR NEXT STEP

Everything you need to plan your gorilla trek in Rwanda

Prices, permits, preparation and where to stay. Every guide is written and checked by the Five Volcanoes team in Rwanda.

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.

Enquire About Your Dates View Packages

Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel

Information

Contact

Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel

+250 789 924 969 | +250 780 440 648

marketing@fivevolcanoesrwanda.com

Musanze-Kinigi Road,

Ruhengeri | Rwanda