Karisoke Research Center

No country can truly advance without concentrating on scientific research amongst other fields. Rwanda being an evolving powerhouse in Africa realized this and houses the Prestigious Karisoke Research Center. 

Address: Ruhengeri-Gisenyi Rd, Ruhengeri, Rwanda

Founder: Dian Fossey

Date of Establishment: September 24, 1967

History & Development

Part of Rwanda's Volcano National Park, the research centre was founded by Dian Forsey on the 24th of September 1967 to study endangered species of mountain gorillas. 

Established in the area between mount karisimbi and Mount Bisoke. After the death of Dian in December 1985, the camp continued functioning and performing its research as usual.

It was not always smooth sailing for the centre it was temporarily shut down throughout the events of the genocide and civil war in Rwanda with most of the workers fleeing to Congo as refugees losing there hoses and possession in the war. 

By the year 1998 Karisokes expatriate staff had evacuated nearly five times with the facility itself brought to the ground almost three times and rebuilt two times. 

Fighting on and expanding through the turmoil of war the centre continued to evolve and upgrade its capacity for scientific research through Leading-edge technology and fresh partnerships, as the saying goes what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. 

Now the research centre is a beacon of animal protection in the area and greatly contributed in the perseverance and increase in the numbers of the mountain gorillas of the Virungas the only great ape species believed to increase in number in the recent decades.

Why Visit Karisoke Research Center 

It is a great chance for visitors to visit the small museum that the center offers. It includes exhibits that offer insights to conservation, biology, along with videos about customs of mountain gorillas.

It is also a chance to stand at the site where Dian Forsey, the founder of the center, was buried.