The remains of Dian Fossey's Karisoke Research Centre - "Old Karisoke"
Dian Fossey set up a research centre in the Virungas in the early sixties and began the well documented habituation of the gorillas there. She became well known internationally through the film "Gorillas in the Mist". Although Fossey was killed in 1985, the Centre continued to operate in the forest with other researchers until 1992. During the ensuing civil war in Rwanda it was destroyed and although 

rebuilt in 1993, it was destroyed again. Since then it has not been rebuilt.
Visits to old Karisoke are available as one of the activities in the Virungas. Old Karisoke is located in a beautiful meadow between the Karisimbi and Visoke volcanoes with the Mikeno volcano in the distance. Remains of the old buildings can be seen as well as graves of some of the research gorillas that have died over the last 30 years, including the famous Digit which was killed by poachers, as well as that of Fossey herself.
The walk takes about 6-8 hours in all and is a fascinating way to explore the park and get a glimpse of the remains of this historic place. Prior booking is required and should be done when booking a safari.

Wooden Box - Gorilla

VOLCANOS NATIONAL PARK

Located in the Virunga Mountains, a magnificent chain of dormant volcanoes in the north of the country, the park forms part of the extension of the Congo-Nile Divide, separating two of Africa's most important watersheds.

They're also home to the world's last surviving mountain gorilla population, currently a mere 700 individuals.

The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International now runs its research on the gorillas in the forest from the Karisoke Centre in Ruhengeri town.


Gazetted: 1925 to protect the Mountain Gorillas. It was the first National Park in Africa.
Size: 12,500 Hac.
Location: Ruhengeri 1 hour 30 minutes drive from Kigali.

• The Virgunas with five peaks - Karisimbi (4507M), Bisoke (3711M), Sabyinyo (3634M), Gahinga (3474M) and Muhabura (4127M).
• The last families of mountain Gorillas on earth.
• Other animals including - the rare golden monkeys (Cercopithecus mitis kandti), Cape buffalo, black fronted duiker; a profusion of bird life including the Ruwenzori turaco and beautiful francolins.
• In the vicinity the beautiful lakes Burera and Ruhundo.
• The Viunga ecosystem is composed of 4 major vegetation zones: Bamboo (base altitude), Hagenia and Hypericum forest (2600-3300m), Sub-alpine (3300-4000m) and Afro-alpine (4000+m).
• Between Bisoke and Sabyinyo volcanoes lie lakes Ngezi, Nyirambubu, Gasindikira and Muraro. Crater Lake is at the peak of Bisoke. Visit to the lakes can be organized.

High altitude makes it generally cold, especially during the evenings. Gorilla viewing is possible all the year round.

Five families of gorillas are habituated for tourist. These are:

• Suza group - the largest group with recent count of 37 due to recent twin birth
• Amahoro group
• Umubano Group
• Sabyinyo group
• Group 13

Apart from Gorilla tracking other activities in the vicinity of Ruhengeri and Volcanoes include:

• Visit to the grave of Dian Fossey and her gorilla Digit
• Climbing Karisimbi 2 days
• Climbing Bisoke 1 day
• Tour of the lakes Burera and Ruhondo
• Cave exploration - visit Musanze cave and natural bridge
• Tracking the Golden Monkey