Among the most renowned hikes in Volcanoes National Park found in Rwanda is that to Dian Fossey's Tomb as well as the nearby gorilla cemetery within the formerly Karisoke Research Camp.
Back in time, Dian Fossey established this Karisoke scientific center in the area just between 2 volcanoes of Mount Bisoke and Mount Karisimbi from which its name Karisoke was derived.
This camp site is found at an altitude of about 3000 meters more than 9000 feet above sea level. This trek includes a 30 minutes' drive from the headquarters of the park to the trailhead from where you will have a 10 minutes' stroll to the border of the park.
The climb through the green forest takes 1 to 3 hours, based on your fitness as well as how often you will make stopovers to enjoy the beautiful scenery after the ascent, the descent takes one to two hours making a total of about 5 hours of hiking excluding activity time.
Fossey's former living quarters that she nicknamed 'the mausoleum' are currently in ruins, and many other landmarks can be seen here at the camp with clear signposts. The hike presents an amazing chance to view birds plus other small creatures that live in the Virunga National park.
While on site, you will see the house in which Dian Fossey was strangely murdered back in 1985 and the place where she was laid to rest just close to her most-loved gorilla friend she has named Digit and close to 20 other gorillas some of which were killed by the brutal poachers and others suffered death due to other reasons.
Her tombstone reads: “No one loved gorillas more, Rest in peace dear friend eternally protected In this sacred ground For you are home Where you belong” In Dian Fossey's journal, some of her last words stated that when one discovers the importance of life, they will depend less on all that is past and focus more on preserving the future.
Currently, the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund is observing 10 Gorilla groups (of the total 15 found in Rwanda), and has a number of additional projects to assist conserve these gorillas plus other animals within the area.
This walk is a wonderful experience not only intellectually but physically and emotionally as well. It is really inspirational to learn about a person who was entirely dedicated and even left behind a legacy which still exists to date. In case you travel to Rwanda, this would be a nice place to visit before you leave the country.
A Park entrance fee of US$75 is currently paid for the Karisoke Trek per individual, and that includes a fee for your guide. This trek begins at 7:00am at the Park Headquarters found in Kinigi, where you will drive to the trailhead of the trek. The Permits can be bought on the very day of this trek at the headquarters of the park where you will also find porters to hire here.
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