Everything You Need to Know About The Dian Fossey Hike

Alongside Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey was a pioneering primatologist. She founded the Karisoke Research Centre in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park in 1967 and studied the endangered mountain gorillas for 18 years.

But on the 26 th of December in 1985, she was brutally murdered in her home in the misty forests of Volcanoes National Park at her research center. Her murder still remains a mystery as well as unsolved.

According to her will, Dian wished to be buried alongside her loved ones – the gorillas. So her body was returned to her research Centre where she was laid to rest amongst the gorillas she had worked tirelessly to protect.

Unlike Rwanda’s other national parks where you need a permit to get in. if you are planning on going in high season (June to September), it is advised to book your permit about three months in advance. However, Dian Fossey Hike is not as popular as gorilla trekking so you can get the permit even last minute.

You can purchase a Dian Fossey Hike Trekking Permit for $75 at the Tourism Offices in Kigali, or from the Volcanoes National Park Headquarters in Kinigi.

This fees included a professional guide.

Caution – before you pay for your permit, keep in mind that you cannot change the dates. If for some reason the date you booked no longer works for you, you will have to pay full price again.

Getting to Volcanoes National Park is a short drive from Kigali City, about 2-3 hours. You can use either private vehicles or catch a public bus from Nyabugogo Taxi Park in Kigali to the town of Musaze.

Note: The buses between Kigali and Musaze run from about 9:00 am to 6:00 pm every day. This makes it easy to finish up your hike and head back to Rwanda’s capital city on the same day

Once in Musaze, you can either stay in this town or head to Kinigi where Volcanoes National Park Headquarters is based.

It is amazing to spend some time in Musanze, a town where Dian Fossey would visit for supplies and is now home to her research centre. It has recently opened a small museum and is worth the visit if you want to learn more about her work with the gorillas as well as Rwanda’s latest conservation efforts.

Where you are staying in Musanze or Kinigi, you will need to hire either a driver or a vehicle for your trek that is if you are traveling public.

Regardless, you will need a vehicle because the road to the beginning of the trail is about 30 minutes away from the Volcanoes National Park Headquarters.

Most lodges offers transportation services in 4×4 vehicles with a driver at affordable costs, the driver will fetch you and drop you off at the end of your hike.

There are several accommodation options in Kinigi and Musanze ranging from budget, midrange to luxury to suit every type of travel. For nature lover, I recommend staying in Kinigi for magic views and sunsets. It also gives you a chance to interact with the locals in the nearby village.

Accommodation options include Kinigi Guest House, Singita Kwitonda Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Volcanoes Virunga Lodge, The Bishop’s House, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Amakoro Songa Lodge among others.

Though it is not guaranteed, chances of seeing gorillas is high. Keep your eyes out not to miss a chance.

For some who hikes or works out regularly, the hike is not too challenging.

The hikes takes almost two hours one way with stops for water in between, the terrain itself is also very muddy and you will need to take care where you steep to avoid falling or losing a shoe. Luckily, the walking stick you will be given help with this a lot.

With the above information, it is recommended to exercise for a while before setting for a Rwanda Safari to take part in The Dian Fossey Hike.

Before

• Pack some light snacks and two bottles of water
• Bring your own gaiters to avoid the red ants or hire a pair at affordable price
• Wear shoes that have grip and you won’t mid getting muddy
• Cover up, the park is full of stinging nettles, wear long pants and a shirt to be on the safe side
• Arrive at the Park Headquarters for registration and a debriefing at 7:00 a.m.
• Don’t forget your passport and permit

During

• You will be escorted by armed Rwandan soldiers. Don’t be scared, this beautiful country has a strong countries in Africa
• Your guide will give you lots of information about Dian Fossey, her research centre and the surrounding vegetation
• If you are lucky, you might also see elephants, buck and a variety of birds
• You will visit the ruins of Dian Fossey’s House where she was murdered
• You will see the gorilla graveyard where Dian Fossey is buried. Her tomb is next to her favorite gorilla Didget and 20 others.
• After visiting all the different ruins of the research centre, you will stop for lunch before heading back down the mountain.

After

• Had to your lodge or nearby restaurant to get your shoes and socks cleaned at about RWF 2,000.
• Do not forget to tip your guide
• From here, you can head back to Kigali City to catch your flight back home or spend more time in Kinigi. In conclusion, The Dian Fossey Hike is an epic, magical and all kinds of awesome experience. It offers you a deeper insight about conservation, Dian Fossey and discover how much she fought for the survival of mountain gorillas.