Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund

Dian Fossey was one of the most influential primatologists in history. In 1967, she established the Karisoke Research Center in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, where she spent nearly two decades living among and studying mountain gorillas. Her work revolutionized our understanding of gorilla behavior and brought international attention to their plight. She fiercely opposed poaching and habitat destruction, often putting herself at great personal risk to protect these endangered animals. Her book “Gorillas in the Mist” and the subsequent film helped inspire a global conservation movement.

Today, her legacy lives on through the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, and more recently, the Ellen DeGeneres Campus near the very forest where Fossey once worked. The campus is a modern conservation center that combines education, research, and community programs. Visitors can explore immersive exhibits about Fossey’s life and the gorillas she protected, walk through indigenous gardens, and learn how conservation efforts are continuing to evolve.

Located just outside Volcanoes National Park, the campus is also a gateway to incredible eco-tourism experiences—gorilla trekking, golden monkey spotting, hiking ancient volcanoes, and discovering Rwanda’s rich culture and biodiversity.

A visit here offers not only a deep connection to Dian Fossey’s work but also a chance to actively support gorilla conservation and sustainable travel in one of Africa’s most beautiful regions.