The scenic though emotional hike to Dian Fossey tomb in Volcanoes National Park (160 square meters) in northwestern Rwanda is a memorable tour for any wildlife enthusiast. Dian Fossey was a primatologist and conservationist who dedicated her life to research and conserve the mountain gorillas in Rwanda. Dian Fossey was born in the United States in 1932 and died tragically in 1985 after 18 years of significant studies on the mountain gorillas in the Virunga area. As per her will, she was buried near Digit, a silverback she loved so much. She is also remembered for establishing the Karisoke Research Center in 1967. This was significant for conducting her research work in the Virunga region.
The Dian Fossey tomb hike
Ensure that you arrive at the park headquarters, Kinigi at around 07:00 to be intime for a briefing by the park rangers. You will be enlightened about the entire tour experience and the rules and regulations to follow. From around 08:00 an experienced ranger guide will lead you towards the tomb for 2 to 3 hours. This is a physically demanding adventure towards an altitude of 2,967 meters, so you should be physically fit to enjoy it. When you reach the tomb, you will, take photos, pay your respects, learn about and reflect upon the life of Dian Fossey and her works in the conservation of mountain gorillas. Before returning to the starting point, you could also enjoy spotting birds, various plant species, butterflies and other wildlife.
How to travel for a hike to Dian Fossey Tomb
Both road and air transportation options are available for visitors to travel to Volcanoes National Park in the northwest of Rwanda for a hike to Dian Fossey tomb. From Kigali city, the road trip covers almost 107 kilometers north-westwards to the headquarters at Kinigi. This scenic travel experience takes 2 to 3 hours on a comfortable safari vehicle. You could opt for private means, provided by a reputable tour company like Monteero Safaris. You will select from our various assortment of vehicles depending on your budget and desire for ambience. Vehicles range from drones, 4X4 safari vehicles, and saloon cars, each manned by a professional driver guide who provides expert knowledge about the entire tour experience.
With air transportation, you will reach Kinigi much more quickly since you will use a helicopter from Kigali International Airport to Musanze airstrip, which quite near to Volcanoes National Park. This luxuriously efficient flight offered by RwandAir takes around 30 minutes and should be booked in advance, again with Monteero Safaris. You will arrive at Musanze airstrip and be met by our representative, who will transport you to either Volcanoes National Park headquarters or your booked lodge. Endeavor to book your flight in advance so that all inconveniences are prevented so that you enjoy beautiful aerial views of Rwanda before going for a worthwhile hiking tour to Dian Fossey tomb.
Best time to go for a hike to Dian Fossey tomb
A hike to Dian Fossey tomb can be done all year round but the difficulty levels vary with the weather conditions in the region. For example, a less intense hike to Dian Fossey tomb is done during the dry season. The dry season occurs twice each year, especially in the months of January, February, June, July, August and December. The warm and dry weather conditions cause the hiking trails to dry up, thus less muddy or slippery for hikers. For a much more intense hiking tour, which is done on wet and muddy terrain, the rainy season is the best time to travel and have a hike to Dian Fossey tomb. The rainy season brings heavy rains and experienced during the months of March, April, May, October and November.
Other tour activities to enjoy at Volcanoes National Park
There are plenty of more tour activities to experience in Volcanoes National Park besides the memorable hike to Dian Fossey tomb. A gorilla trek is the most popular activity in the park, and allows visitors to track and spend an hour with a habituated group of mountain gorillas in their natural home. Birdwatching tours which is a chance to spot hundreds of vibrant bird species, including Albertine Rift endemics such as Rwenzori turaco, Rwenzori apalis and handsome francolin. Golden monkey trekking, which is also a chance for visitors to locate and spend an hour with the endangered primates in their natural homes. The Batwa Pygmies living adjacent to Volcanoes National Park offer opportunities for cultural tours.
What to pack for the hike to Dian Fossey Tomb
For an exciting experience of hiking to Dian Fossey tomb in Volcanoes National Park, carry the following essential items,
- Comfortable waterproof walking shoes with ankle support
- Lightweight clothing (trousers and long-sleeved shirt)
- Suncream and sunglasses
- Insect repellent
- Camera and extra battery
- Daypack
- Travel documents
- Warm sweater
- Light raincoat
- Refillable water bottle and snacks
- Trekking pole
- Basic first aid kit with bandages, antiseptic wipes, and pain relievers etc.