Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda boasts a rich and complex history, deeply intertwined with conservation and the protection of endangered mountain gorillas. Originally established in 1929 as part of Albert National Park, it stretched across present-day Rwanda and the Belgian Congo (now the Democratic Republic of Congo). Managed by the Belgian Colonial Authorities, the park was created to protect the mountain gorilla population and their fragile ecosystem. However, political shifts in the early 1960s saw Rwanda and Congo gain independence, leading to the division of the park. By the close of that decade, Volcanoes National Park had been reduced to nearly half its original size.

A pivotal moment in the park’s history came in 1967 when renowned American primatologist Dian Fossey sought refuge from unrest in Congo and established a research base between Mount Visoke and Mount Karisimbi, a location that would become the iconic Karisoke Research Center. Fossey’s groundbreaking work in studying and protecting mountain gorillas marked the beginning of a fierce conservation campaign. She relentlessly fought against poaching, raising international awareness and securing resources to safeguard these gentle giants. Tragically, Fossey was murdered in 1985, but her legacy endures she was laid to rest at the research center beside her beloved gorilla, Digit, and several other gorillas that had fallen victim to poaching.