Where Can I Learn the Most About Gorilla Conservation?
Article from the series: Frequently Asked Questions about Rwanda, Uganda and DR Congo
If gorilla tracking is more than a selfie opportunity to you, add the Ellen DeGeneres Campus to your itinerary. Even from Uganda, it’s worth a day trip — located about an hour from the Cyanika border post in Kinigi, Rwanda.
This 12-acre (5-hectare) facility is home to the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. Yes, that Fossey — murdered in the Virungas in 1985 for her fierce protection of mountain gorillas.
Fossey became a hero to many, including TV host and comedian Ellen DeGeneres. In 2018, her wife Portia de Rossi (best known from Ally McBeal) launched a conservation fund as a birthday gift to Ellen. Their first major project — supporting the campus — turned out to be a gift to the entire region.
Since opening in 2022, the site has welcomed more than 100,000 visitors, half of them from Rwanda and nearby countries. It keeps growing more impressive, as its 250,000 plants (from 110 native species) help restore the former farmland, creating habitats for birds (58 species recorded), insects, jackals, and other mammals.
For a traveller, the centrepiece is the Conservation Gallery. Like other buildings on the campus, it bears the name of a major donor — a common American tradition. But let’s end the list of names and numbers, and dive into the experience itself.
The gallery explores Fossey’s life and work, features a replica of her mountain hut, introduces her favourite gorillas, and illustrates gorilla behaviour. It then transitions to modern conservation efforts and wraps up with a cafeteria and gift shop. Interactive VR and multimedia features make it engaging for kids — over 10,000 schoolchildren visit each year — and a solid alternative for those who can’t afford a tracking permit. A USD 20 donation is required for foreign visitors; locals enjoy free access.
But there’s more: the campus includes nature trails, Gorilla Fund offices, modern labs, and a well-supplied library. It’s a cutting-edge science and education centre with regular trainings for stakeholders from Rwanda and beyond.
text and photos by Miha Logar
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