Dian Fossey and the Mountain Gorillas: The Woman Who Studied Gorillas
Fossey's decades of fieldwork helped the world understand and protect mountain gorillas.
Dian Fossey was an American primatologist who began studying mountain gorillas in the Virunga Mountains in the 1960s. She founded the Karisoke Research Center in Rwanda in 1967 and wrote Gorillas in the Mist. She was killed in 1985, and the case is still debated.
Her work drew global attention to the threat facing gorillas. Today you can trek gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda. See Uganda vs Rwanda and gorilla conservation.
This guide is part of our animals of Uganda and East Africa guide. When you are ready to plan, see our Uganda safari packages or the Ameera Africa Safaris.
At a glance
- Researcher: Dian Fossey
- Base: Karisoke, Rwanda, 1967
- Book: Gorillas in the Mist
- Impact: Global conservation awareness
Her Work
Fossey built trust with gorilla groups through patient observation and campaigned against poaching.
Visiting Today
See the 3-day Rwanda gorilla trek or Uganda's Bwindi.
Want to see them in the wild? Send us your dates and we will arrange permits and a guide.
Related Tours, Guides and Resources
- Ameera Africa Safaris homepage: Uganda safaris, tours and holidays
- Uganda safari packages
- Uganda travel guide
- How to book a Uganda safari
- Plan your safari with our team
Itineraries That Include This Experience
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Uganda Safari Pages
- Are Gorillas Endangered? Population, Poaching and Conservation in Uganda
- Gorilla Species and Subspecies: Mountain, Eastern Lowland, Western Lowland and Cross River
- Chimpanzee Height, Weight and Size: How Big Is a Chimp?
- Chimpanzee Lifespan, Diet and Habitat: Where Chimps Live and What They Eat
- Chimpanzee Intelligence and Tool Use: Is There a Chimp IQ?
- Animals of Uganda and East Africa: Gorilla, Chimpanzee, Big Five and Bird Fact Guides
Ready to Plan Your Uganda Safari?
Tell us your dates, group size and interests and our Kampala team will reply with a clear, personal itinerary.
Explore Uganda safari vacations for Uganda safaris and tours, our featured tours and the latest Uganda park fees.