Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund in Kinigi Rwanda
The Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund opened in 2022 in Kinigi, Ruhengeri near Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park which is home to the majestic mountain gorillas.
The Ellen campus is a realization of a 20 year dream with support from a generous donation from the Ellen Fund a gift from Portia de Rossi to American comedian and actress Ellen DeGeneres.
This world class research and education center honors Dian Fossey’s legacy and furthers the mission to save gorillas from extinction.
The Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund in Kinigi Rwanda is a journey that started in 2018 with the ground breaking for the construction of the state of the art site happening in 2019 until the campus was complete and opened in 2022.
The Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund is open daily to the public, offering state-of-the-art exhibition showcasing over 50 years of gorilla conservation, a gift shop featuring locally made crafts, delicious meals and coffee at the Gorilla Café, serene nature trails and the opportunity to connect.
The Ellen DeGeneres Campus is open every day from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Kigali time, with the last entry at 4 p.m. and registration is required for all guests visiting the campus.
Location of the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund
The Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund is located in Kinigi Rwanda a few kilometers from the Volcanoes national park head quarters and the Kwita Izina gorilla naming ceremony grounds in Kinigi.
The campus is located on the left as you head to the base of Mount Bisoke towards the Gorilla guardians village
What to do at the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund in Kinigi Rwanda
Enjoy a Self Guided Tour of the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund
Explore the architectural beauty and design of the Ellen campus with beautiful views of the towering Virunga volcanoes in the west; the campus houses over five decades of gorilla research and conservation.
Highlights of a self guided tour at the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund in Kinigi Rwanda include:-
- a replica of Dian Fossey’s forest cabin with original artifacts,
- a 360-degree theater with stunning gorilla footage and
- a virtual reality experience to take you on a virtual gorilla trekking experience exploring the life of the majestic mountain gorillas.
No pre-booking is required, but registration is required.
Enjoy an exclusive behind the scenes VIP Tour of the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund
Enjoy a full guided tour of the Ellen campus by a senior Dian Fossey Fund staff. This option includes a tour of the conservation gallery and a visit behind the scenes, where you will gain a greater understanding of the multifaceted work being done to protect gorillas.
These tours can be scheduled for any time of day, with the last booking at 3 p.m.
The tour duration is approximately 2 hours and requires pre-booking.
Enjoy a Silverback Sundowner at the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund
Enjoy views of the sun set over the towering Virunga mountains in the west of the Ellen campus from your couch at the campus.
This is a special evening gathering featuring breathtaking views of the mountains and light refreshments with Dian Fossey Fund staff.
As a visitor you are invited to tour the conservation gallery before a meet up with gorilla experts on the Virunga Overlook. You will get to share experiences and speak directly experts. Enjoy the views with selection of non-alcoholic drinks, wine, specialty cocktails and light snacks as you immerse in the information and views of the mountains and virunga national park from the Virunga Overlook. The Silverback Sundowner experience takes place from as early as 4 p.m. and requires pre-booking.
Gorilla trekking
Enjoy an exclusive gorilla trekking experience during your visit to the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund
Mount Bisoke Day Hike
A day hike to Mount Bisoke can be a challenging but rewarding experience during your visit to the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund in Rwanda as you hike through the forest to the crater at the 3,711m summit of Mount Bisoke.
This is one of the most rewarding day hikes in Rwanda with a chance to see the mountain gorillas during your hike.
Mount Sabinyo hike
Take on the challenge scaling Mount Sabinyo in Rwanda during your stay at Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund in Rwanda and enjoy views of Rwanda, Uganda and DR Congo atop the 3,669m summit
Canoe riding on Lake Bulera and Ruhondo
Go for a canoe ride on the twin lakes in Musanze of Bulera and Ruhondo as you connect with nature and the community
Golden monkey tracking
Golden monkeys can be tracked from Volcanoes national park near the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund in Rwanda
Cultural tour
After your tour of the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund in Rwanda, enjoy a cultural tour at the Gorilla guardians’ village formerly known as iby’iwacu in Kinigi Rwanda a few meters from the Ellen DeGeneres campus Rwanda
Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund entrance
How much is the entrance fee at the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund in Kinigi Rwanda
Entrance to the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund in Kinigi Rwanda is free of charge for visitors doing a self guided tour.
However, there is a suggested $20 donation per adult to support conservation work. Donations can be made online or upon entry. This does not require prior booking and entry can be between 9am to 4Pm Kigali time.
Entrance fees for visitors looking for a guided tour is $800 for up to five people and thereafter $100 per additional person up to a maximum of 10 people. Guided tours at the Ellen campus require prior booking.
Entrance fees for a VIP experience with exclusive access to the campus is $1,000 for up to five people and there after $100 per additional person for up to a maximum of 30 people. This fees includes light snacks, non alcoholic drinks and wines and a sundowner at the campus.
Note: VIP Experience fees are non-refundable but can be rescheduled with 24 hours notice
The Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund in Kinigi Rwanda offers an insight into the conservation work started by Dain Fossey in 1967 between Mount Karisimbi and Mount Bisoke in the Virunga mountains and the Volcanoes national park a camp she named Karisoke Research Centre spending years of research, data collection on gorilla behavior, ranging habits, forest diversity and gorilla habituation before she was murdered on December 26th in 1985.
This work has led to tremendous success in restoration of the mountain gorilla populations in the Volcanoes national park from barely 300 individual gorillas to over 1,000 gorillas in the span of nearly 60 years
A visit to the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund in Kinigi Rwanda can be added to your Rwanda safari during Rwanda gorilla trekking or mountain hiking in Rwanda in the Virunga mountains to Mount Bisoke, Mount Karisimbi, Mount Sabinyo or Mount Muhabura.
How to get to the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund in Kinigi Rwanda
The Ellen DeGeneres campus in Rwanda can be accessed from Uganda through Cyanika border, Kigali or Gisenyi Lake Kivu. The Campus located at the base of the Virunga mountains in Rwanda is just afew kilometers from the Volcanoes national park head quarters in Kinigi and the Kwita Izina gorilla naming site in Kiningi off the left on the way to Mount Bisoke in Musanze district of Rwanda.
Accommodation near the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund in Kinigi Rwanda
Looking for where to stay near the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund; look no further?
A range of accommodation options are available from Exclusive and Luxury stays, mid range accommodation and budget accommodation.
Luxury accommodation near the Ellen DeGeneres campus Rwanda include Amakoro Songa lodge, Wilderness Bisate Lodge, One & Only lodge.
Mid range accommodation near the Ellen DeGeneres campus Rwanda include Da Vinci gorilla lodge, Lodge, Le Bambou lodge, Kinigi Cottage
Budget accommodation near the Ellen DeGeneres campus in Rwanda include Karisimbi Cave resort, La Paillotte Kinigi
