The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International

You might have heard about the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International! Well, the body is a non-profit organization located in Rwanda at the Ellen DeGeneres Campus near Volcanoes National Park.  The gorilla fund was started in 1978 by Dian Fossey, a primatologist, with the sole purpose of conserving, protecting, and supporting the study of mountain gorillas in the Virunga Conservation area and the whole of Africa. The main headquarters of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund is located in the United States in Atlanta, Georgia. In Africa, the body operates in Rwanda and partly in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The organization was initially called the “Digit Fund” by Dian Fossey, and it was the main funder for Dian Fossey’s conservation campaigns and anti-poaching programs. Dian Fossey was killed by the heartless poachers who opposed her conservation program. After her death, the name of the organization was changed to “Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund” in honor of her efforts. Even after her death, her campaigns and conservation campaign were continued, spreading all over the world. This has seen the population of mountain gorillas increase over time, which gives hope for sustainable gorilla tourism in the world.

Pillars of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund

The fund aims at promoting gorilla conservation and ensuring sustainable gorilla tourism and well well-being of local communities near gorilla arks in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The four main pillars of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund include

Protection of Mountain Gorillas

As said already, the main focus of the gorilla fund is protecting the endangered mountain gorillas in the Virunga Conservation Area and other gorilla regions. Field team and anti-poaching team members have been trained to spread the gospel of gorilla protection in their natural habitats of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Scientific Research

Another focus for the gorilla fund is ensuring scientific research funding for the study of gorillas and other animal species in the wild.  The study has promoted advanced knowledge and effective conservation methods in East and Central Africa

Conservation training and education

In addition, the Gorilla Fund International aims at training and educate the next generation about conservation and sustainable tourism

Improve Local communities

The Dian Fossey Fund also collaborates with local communities near and around gorilla parks. The organization supports local initiatives, education, and provides some basic needs which improve local people’s standards of living

How to partner with Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund

You can partner with the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International by supporting their programs and work.  The best way to work is by donating. Donate to support any of their purposes. Also, you can choose to adopt a gorilla, run an online fundraising and personally visit the Ellen DeGeneres campus on your gorilla tour to Volcanoes National Park

About the Ellen DeGeneres Campus

Situated in Kinigi in Musanze north northwestern Rwanda, near Volcanoes National Park, the Ellen DeGeneres campus is a permanent world-class headquarters of the Dian Fossey Research and Gorilla Fund International in Rwanda. The campus was established by the prominent Ellen DeGeneres with her wife and publicly launched in February 2022.  The eco-friendly, beautiful architecture was designed by MASS Design Group. The campus is built on 12 hectares

Visitor experiences at the Ellen DeGeneres Campus

• Self-Guided Tour of the Conservation Gallery
• Interactive Exhibits
• Dian Fossey’s Cabin Replica
• 360-Degree Theater
• Virtual and Augmented Reality
• Gorilla Café and Gift Shop

Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Covering 16 square kilometers of Land in northwestern Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park is a center of gorilla trekking in Rwanda.  The small country with a thousand hills is home to over 450 mountain gorillas, which live in 10 families. Each day, the park receives roughly visitors coming to trek the endangered gorillas. Each year, the Rwanda Development Board hosts the gorilla naming ceremony, in which baby gorillas are given names for easy identification.

Rwanda Development Board issues 80 gorilla permits each day for available travelers. In 2017, Rwanda doubled the cost of a gorilla trekking permit from $750 to $1500 each, making it a luxury gorilla tour destination in the world. The gorilla groups in Volcanoes National Park include the Agashya group, Umubano Group, Kwitonda Group, Amahoro Group, Hirwa Group, Pablo Group, Titus Group, Karisimbi Group, and Susa A group, among others

Other safari activities in Volcanoes National Park

Besides gorilla trekking, Volcanoes National Park offers a variety of interesting activities worth doing. These include golden monkey trekking, Dian Fossey graveyard hike, nature walking, visiting the Musanze caves, cultural tour to the Gorilla Guardian village, Bird watching, Twin Lakes, Mount Bisoke and Mount Karisimbi hiking, among others. Our Rwanda safari packages include 1 Day Rwanda gorilla trekking, 5 Days Rwanda gorillas and chimpanzee safari, and 10 Days best of Rwanda safari, among others. Superfine Safaris Limited customizes your preferred Rwanda safari suiting your budget, travel dates, and interests