Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund

The Ellen Campus, nestled in the foothills of Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, was created to accelerate scientific research and on-the-ground conservation work in the Volcanoes National Park which is the natural habitat of the mountain gorillas. The journey from Kigali city to the park takes around 3 hours. We take a lunch break in Musanze town before checking in the lodge and visiting the museum.

Iby'iwacu Cultural Village

We visit Iby'Iwacu Cultural Village, a vibrant community-based initiative that offers an immersive experience into traditional Rwandan culture. This authentic village showcases local customs, crafts, and performances, providing visitors with a unique opportunity to engage with and learn from the indigenous people. Through interactive demonstrations and hands-on activities, guests gain valuable insights into Rwanda's rich heritage and the daily lives of its rural communities.

Volcanoes National Park

Briefing for the trackers begins at 7.00am and vehicles begin transporting gorilla trackers to several gorilla trek starting points. If you don’t turn up at the appointed time you risk invalidating your permit and having to pay again. Guests are allocated a gorilla family on the very day of tracking. The guests who feel physically weak are allocated the nearest groups that only require at least an hour to find. Hikes in the mountains can last anywhere from 1 hour to 4 hours depending on the family allocated to your group and their location. The journey back can take just as long, but you are often carried along by the euphoria you feel seeing the gorillas!