The adult life and times of Dian Fossey are synonymous with gorilla conservation within Volcanoes National Park, in the Northern Province of Rwanda. She greatly contributed towards the study and protection of wild mountain gorillas in the country, which moved the hearts of conservationists, tourists and nature lovers across the world. Dian Fossey was an American primatologist and conservationist born in 1932 within San Francisco, California and was raised by her mum and stepdad. She was by all standards a brilliant student and had passion for animals from an early age.
By the age of 6, Dian Fossey started horse riding lessons and by high school she had already received a letter to be in the horse riding team. When she joined Marin Junior College, her focus as on Business following the advice of her stepdad, a wealthy and influential Businessman. She studied while working from the age of 19 and during the summer break of her freshman year went to work at a ranch in Montana. It is from here that she developed more passion and love for animals but abruptly left after contracting chicken pox.
Working with animals convinced Dian Fossey to follow her passion by returning to school as a Veterinary student at the University of California. Some subjects especially Physics and Chemistry became challenging for her hence changing her focus to Occupational Therapy at San Jose State College, of which she graduated in 1954. She went on to volunteer at a number of Hospitals in California, working with Tuberculosis patients.
After years of saving and taking a bank loan, Dian Fossey fulfilled her dream of working with animals. She travelled to Kenya in September 1963, then continued to Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania and Zimbabwe where she met with John Alexander, who also served as her guide. Two of the sites during her tour were Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania, an archaeological site of Louis and Mary Leakey as well as Mount Mikeno in Virunga National Park, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. American zoologist Dr. George Schaller conducted his pioneering study of mountain gorillas in Congo and his work opened doors for Dian Fossey’s Research work.
Her turning point was meeting Dr. Louis Leakey, where he talked about Jane Goodall’s work with chimpanzees in Tanzania. Dian Fossey also received Dr. Leakey’s permission to tour the evacuated sites during her visit to Olduvai Gorge and returned to Kentucky (Kosair Children’s Hospital. During one of the lectures in Louisville, Dr. Louis Leakey also informed Dian of a long-term project to study mountain gorillas. Dian was able to secure funding for an initial trip to Africa and in 1966 made her way to the Continent. First stop was Nairobi, then made way into Gombe Stream Research Center where she met with Jane Goodall to observe her research works on chimpanzees.
Dian Fossey made a stop at Traveller’s Rest Inn, small accommodation facility within south-western Uganda and near the Virunga Mountains. She was advised to meet Alan and Joan Root-wildlife photographers from Kenya for footage of mountain gorillas for a photographic documentary. She began her trek in the forest to search for mountain gorillas and fell in love with them.
Even when she returned back to Kentucky for work at Kosair Children’s Hospital to repay her local, her heart was still in Africa and dreamed of the day she would return. It’s during her return that she learnt about gorilla habituation when she understood that they fled on sighting. However, she escaped from the Democratic Republic of Congo due to insecurity for Nairobi where she again met with Dr. Louis Leakey who advised her to continue with her work in Rwanda.
In 1967, she founded Karisoke Research Center on the slopes of Karisimbi and Bisoke. Her research and study on mountain gorillas aided by a number of people such as Rosamond Carr who had stayed in Rwanda for many years and was familiar with the area, Alyette DeMunck – a Belgian woman that had lived in Congo from childhood and many others. Beginning her studies, Dian Fossey was disappointed to find the Mount Karisimbi slopes grazed by cattle and the frequent sight of poachers irritated her even more.
During her time in Rwanda, she made friends and enemies alike, achieved several milestones towards gorilla conservation, faced several challenges, gained scientific credentials, protecting mountain gorillas through joining Law Enforcement Rangers and even made friends with the Mountain gorillas including Digit who became her favorite. Unfortunately Digit was murdered on 31st December 1977 and this infuriated her more. Digit was buried in Volcanoes National Park and 8 years later (1985), Dian Fossey was also murdered. She was laid to rest behind her Karisoke Cabin, close to her beloved Gorilla. Her life and conservation journey was documented in the 1988 film “Gorillas in the Mist”.
Dian Fossey Gravesite Hike.
You will need a permit costing $75 to hike to the Dian Fossey Gravesite. Treks begin with briefing at Kinigi Park Headquarters, followed by 30 minutes’ drive to the trailhead at the foot of Mount Bisoke. At the trailhead you will interact with the armed rangers, porters before heading outside Volcanoes National Park for the start of the hike. Walk on the same trail used by visitors hiking Mount Bisoke and at approximately 2900 meters you will divert from the trail to head for the Dian Fossey Gravesite.
Come across different wildlife species especially mountain gorillas, elephants and plethora of bird species. Take photos of the grave while asking question. Begin descending to the trailhead then back to the next destination according to your tour plan. The entire Dian Fossey Gravesite Hike takes 3-4 hours depending on your level of fitness and pave of movement.
