The Karisoke Research Center was founded by Dian Fossey, who was active in the Virunga region between 1967 and 1985. Alongside her advocacy work, she studied mountain gorillas for many years, and one of her greatest achievements was her fight against poaching and habitat destruction.
She was buried near Volcanoes National Park, and many visitors still come to her grave to pay their respects for her contribution to protecting the gorillas. Thanks to her work, people today can tour and enjoy the results of her conservation efforts. After her death, her work continued through an international organization called the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.
Founding and Purpose of the Center
The center was established to observe mountain gorillas in their natural habitat in the Virunga ranges. It is located between Mount Bisoke and Mount Karisimbi, shared by the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. However, the 1994 genocide in Rwanda significantly affected the center’s operations.
Many workers were displaced, lost their homes and belongings, or were killed, and some fled into exile. During this period, the center was temporarily closed, though a few staff members who remained in Rwanda kept track of the mountain gorillas they could find.
The Center During the Genocide Years
During the genocide years, the Karisoke Research Center had to relocate several times. Scientific research continued in secret, with many researchers working in hiding. The center moved three times in total.
Because of the destruction of its facilities, relocating and rebuilding in safer areas became necessary, which slowed research due to reduced staff and limited resources. Notably, the gorillas themselves remained in good health throughout this period. The ruins of the destroyed buildings are now tourist sites and reminders of Dian Fossey’s work.
Karisoke Research Center Today
Today, the Karisoke Research Center operates in Musanze. After the genocide, its headquarters were moved to this area. The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund continues to support the center’s activities. The center attracts people from all over the world, including environmental science students, scientists, and general visitors, offering a highly educational experience.
The center monitors mountain gorillas’ movements using various methods, particularly electronic tracking systems made possible by advances in technology. It also works with local and international organizations to protect the gorillas from poaching and illegal hunting. Another goal of the center is to research better conservation methods to help ensure the safety of gorillas in the Virunga region.
Impact on Conservation and Local Communities
The center also trains future environmentalists through internships and graduate programs. Visitor contributions to the fund also support local communities as part of its corporate social responsibility efforts. The center provides significant value to local communities, having improved healthcare and education in the area by building new structures and repairing existing ones.
It has also helped provide safe, clean water to local residents, another notable achievement of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. The Karisoke Research Center has produced over 300 research publications on animal species and conservation over the years.
Visiting the Center
This center is an important tourist attraction, and anyone visiting Rwanda is encouraged to include it in their trip. A visit offers a chance to learn and gain inspiration from the center’s work.
The center’s efforts are one of the reasons tourists can still enjoy mountain gorilla trekking in Rwanda today. It continues to play a significant role in gorilla conservation and in improving the Virunga ranges as a habitat for the species. As the center faces new challenges from climate change, it continues to advance and expand its activities. If you’re visiting Volcanoes National Park, be sure to include the Karisoke Research Center in your itinerary. Many travelers pair this visit with our Rwanda safari packages to build a full trip around it.
