Follow Dian Fossey's Story into the Saddle Between Karisimbi and Bisoke
Gorilla permit US$1,500 pp · trip price quoted for your dates
In 1967 the American primatologist Dian Fossey set up the Karisoke Research Center in the saddle between Mount Karisimbi and Mount Bisoke. Her work, and her death there in 1985, put the mountain gorillas on the world stage. Today you can hike through the forest to the ruins of the camp, where she is buried beside Digit and other gorillas she studied.
This four-day trip adds that hike to a gorilla trek and golden monkey tracking, with three nights in one lodge. It suits travellers who want the full story of the park — the animals, the conservation history and the landscape — rather than a single quick visit.
Photo: Azurfrog, CC BY-SA 4.0
Trip Highlights
Mountain Gorilla Trek
One hour with a habituated family, after a guided hike through bamboo and Hagenia-Hypericum forest.
Dian Fossey Tomb Hike
A steep forest walk to the Karisoke camp site and the gorilla graveyard where Fossey is buried.
Golden Monkeys
A lively hour with a habituated troop of these endangered monkeys in the bamboo belt.
Your Permit Supports Conservation
Gorilla permit fees pay for ranger patrols and veterinary care, and a share of park revenue funds schools, clinics and water projects around the park. How permits work.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1Kigali to Volcanoes National Park
Pick-up in Kigali and drive north to Musanze. If time allows, visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial before leaving the city — it gives essential context for the country you are travelling through.
Day 2Mountain gorilla trekking
Morning briefing at Kinigi and your gorilla trek. The afternoon is free; an optional community visit or a walk through the surrounding farmland is easy to arrange.
Day 3Dian Fossey tomb hike
After the briefing, drive to the trailhead and hike up through farmland and into the forest towards the Karisoke site, at roughly 3,000 metres. The return walk takes most of the day, depending on pace and conditions. Buffalo and forest elephants share this part of the park, so armed rangers accompany the group.
Day 4Golden monkeys and return to Kigali
Golden monkey tracking in the morning, lunch, then the drive back to Kigali for your onward flight or hotel.
Accommodation
We match lodges to your budget. These are examples we use on this trip; we will suggest alternatives if they are full.
What's Included
Included
- Gorilla permit (US$1,500 per person), booked in your name
- Golden monkey permit
- Dian Fossey tomb hike permit
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof and an English-speaking driver-guide
- Airport or Kigali hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Accommodation at your chosen lodge level, with meals as listed each day
- Park entry fees for the activities named in the itinerary
- Bottled drinking water in the vehicle
- Help with permits, timings and pre-trip questions from our Kigali office
Not included
- International flights and your Rwanda visa
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended — it should cover medical evacuation)
- Porter fees on trek days and tips for guides, trackers and lodge staff
- Drinks at lodges, laundry and personal purchases
- Optional activities not listed in the itinerary
Physical Requirements
Two of the three activities are genuine hikes at altitude. The Dian Fossey hike is steep and muddy, and is a full morning or more on foot. You should be able to walk uphill for several hours with rests. Porters are available for every activity.
Request This Trip
Tell us when you would like to travel. We will check gorilla permit availability for your dates and send a quote within one working day. No obligation.
Why Travel with Us?
Rwanda specialists, based in Kigali
We plan Rwanda trips and Rwanda–Uganda combinations, so our advice on permits, lodges and timings is current and first-hand.
Permits checked before you pay
We confirm gorilla permit availability for your date before asking you to pay for it, then build the itinerary around the permit.
Private trips only
Your own vehicle and driver-guide, on your dates, at your pace — no shared minibuses and no fixed departures.
Honest advice on trek difficulty
Your guide talks to the rangers at the briefing so the gorilla family you visit suits your fitness as closely as possible.
Lodges chosen for location
We favour lodges close to the Kinigi park headquarters, so trek mornings start calmly rather than before dawn.
Conservation and community
Every permit funds park protection and community projects around Volcanoes National Park, and we work with local guides and porters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a separate permit for the Dian Fossey hike?
Yes. The tomb hike, golden monkey tracking and gorilla trekking each have their own Rwanda Development Board permit. We book all three together.
Can I swap the Dian Fossey hike for Mount Bisoke?
Yes. The Bisoke climb to the crater lake is a full-day hike of roughly six hours and is a popular alternative for fit hikers.
Is a second gorilla trek possible instead?
Yes — many people choose a second gorilla trek, which usually means meeting a different family. Permit availability decides the dates.
