Karisoke Research Center

Karisoke Research Center | Dian Fossey’s Gorilla Legacy in Rwanda.

Karisoke Research Center is a mountain gorilla research station in Rwanda’s Virunga Mountains. Dian Fossey founded it in 1967. The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund continues the research and conservation legacy established at Karisoke, and it is one of the longest-running field research programmes on any great ape in the world.

The centre’s work covers daily gorilla monitoring, scientific research, anti-poaching patrols and conservation education. For travellers, Karisoke is the place where the story of Rwanda’s gorilla tourism begins. The mountain gorilla research and conservation work developed at Karisoke helped shape the scientific and conservation foundation behind today’s protection of Rwanda’s gorillas.

If you want the personal story behind the station, our guide to Dian Fossey’s life and legacy covers it. This page focuses on the research centre itself.

The History of Karisoke Research Center

Fossey began her gorilla work in 1967 in what was then the Congo, but political unrest forced her out within months. She crossed into Rwanda and set up a new camp in the Virunga Mountains. That camp became Karisoke.

The early years were basic: tents, then simple cabins, and long days following gorilla groups through dense, wet forest. Fossey worked to habituate the gorillas, getting them used to a quiet human observer so she could watch them closely. Her observations changed how the world saw mountain gorillas, which had been widely feared as aggressive. Fossey documented stable family groups, strong social bonds and gentle behaviour.

Her work also brought international attention to the threats facing mountain gorillas, including poaching. Fossey pushed for anti-poaching patrols and the removal of snares, an approach that is still central to conservation here. In 1985 she was murdered at her cabin at Karisoke. She is buried at the site, beside the graves of gorillas she had known, including Digit.

After her death, the research and protection work continued, and the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund took over the stewardship of Karisoke.

Where Is Karisoke? Location in the Virunga Mountains

The original camp sits high in Volcanoes National Park, in the saddle between Mount Karisimbi and Mount Bisoke. The name “Karisoke” combines the two mountain names. The Virunga Mountains are a chain of volcanoes shared by Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. They are one of only two regions in the world where mountain gorillas live in the wild; the other is the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park region in Uganda.

The park’s forest here is cold, misty and steep. Bamboo, giant lobelia and moss-covered trees make up the habitat the gorillas depend on. The nearest town is Musanze, which is the usual base for travellers to Volcanoes National Park.

Dian Fossey’s Research and Legacy at Karisoke

Fossey’s studies built the foundation of mountain gorilla science. Her team recorded births, deaths, group movements, diet, social relationships and the dynamics between family groups. Researchers at Karisoke have continued that long-term record, which gives scientists decades of consistent data on individual gorillas and their families.

Her legacy has two sides:

• Scientific: Long-term monitoring turned a poorly understood species into one of the best-studied wild primates.
• Conservation: Her insistence on protecting gorillas from poaching shaped the patrol and protection model used across the Virunga.

Fossey’s methods and views were controversial then and are still debated, but few now argue with the value of the research base she established.

Karisoke Research Center Today

Today the work goes well beyond the original camp. According to the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, Karisoke’s current activities include gorilla protection, research, and conservation education. In practice that means:

• Daily gorilla monitoring: Trackers and researchers follow groups every day, recording health, behaviour and any threats.
• Anti-poaching and snare removal: Patrol teams sweep the forest for snares and signs of illegal activity.
• Scientific research: Studies include ecology, behaviour, health and climate-related pressures on gorilla habitat.
• Community conservation and education: Programmes work with people living around the park, because the long-term survival of gorillas depends on local support.

The Fossey Fund’s research and education facilities are based in Musanze, close to the park.

Why Karisoke Matters for Mountain Gorilla Conservation

Mountain gorillas were once on the edge of extinction, and conservation is a major reason the population has recovered. The combined mountain gorilla population across the Virunga and Bwindi populations has surpassed 1,000 individuals, although the species remains endangered.

Karisoke supports that recovery in three ways:

1. Data: Decades of observation show how gorilla groups are changing and where they are at risk.

2. Protection: Daily presence in the forest deters poaching and catches problems early.

3. Tourism and community connections: Revenue from gorilla trekking and community involvement help to deliver conservation as a business for Rwanda.

Responsible gorilla tourism and research are connected. Permit income funds protection, and research helps guide how tourism is managed.

Visiting the Karisoke Site from Volcanoes National Park

Travellers cannot simply walk into the research station, but you can visit the historic Karisoke site, including Dian Fossey’s grave and the gorilla graveyard, as a guided hike in Volcanoes National Park. The hike starts from the park area near Kinigi, takes you through farmland and then up into montane forest, and usually takes most of a day. Fitness and weather matter because the terrain is steep and often muddy.

Practical tips:

• Book through the Rwanda Development Board or a licensed tour operator, and arrange the hike in advance.
• Pack rain gear, sturdy boots, gloves and layers. Altitude makes it cold.
• Combine the hike with gorilla trekking for a fuller picture. Trekking is a separate activity with its own permit. See our Rwanda gorilla trekking guide for details.
• Stay near Musanze or Kinigi so you can start early. Our lodge guides cover options in the area.

Check current permit, hike and entry details before you travel, because they can change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who founded Karisoke Research Center?

Dian Fossey founded Karisoke in 1967 in Rwanda’s Virunga Mountains.

Where is Karisoke Research Center located?

It is in Volcanoes National Park in northwestern Rwanda, in the saddle between Mount Karisimbi and Mount Bisoke. Musanze is the nearest town.

What does Karisoke mean?

The name combines Karisimbi and Bisoke, the two volcanoes that flank the original site.

Who runs Karisoke today?

The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund continues the research, protection and education work associated with Karisoke and its conservation legacy.

Can tourists visit Karisoke?

Visitors can take a guided hike in Volcanoes National Park to the historic Karisoke site and Fossey’s grave. The research station itself is not a tourist attraction.

Is Karisoke the same as gorilla trekking?

No. Gorilla trekking visits habituated gorilla groups with a permit. The Karisoke hike is a separate activity focused on the historic site.

Is Dian Fossey buried at Karisoke?

Yes. She is buried at the original site, near the graves of gorillas, including Digit.

Karisoke Research Center became a defining centre for mountain gorilla research and conservation in Rwanda. From Dian Fossey’s first camp in 1967 to the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund’s work today, it has helped turn a species on the brink into a conservation story that visitors can now experience responsibly. If you are planning a trip to Volcanoes National Park, the Karisoke hike pairs well with gorilla trekking and adds historical depth to the journey.