The Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund at Kwitonda Lodge

Set alongside Volcanoes National Park, the Ellen DeGeneres Campus recently opened its doors to the public and this extensive facility vividly depicts the story of mountain gorilla research and conservation from Dian Fossey’s time to today.

The campus – which is located a few minutes’ drive from Singita Volcanoes
National Park –features original artefacts that have never been displayed before, including items from Fossey’s almost two decades of living among the gorillas. Visitors can also immerse themselves in stunning visual effects through a 360-degree experience; augmented and virtual reality; and various highly engaging edutainment opportunities – all bringing the science and people behind the conservation of mountain gorillas to life.

“This project has focused on creating a space to engage the many stakeholders in conservation – students, scientists, tourists, conservation partners, community members – to advance our collective goal of saving gorillas and, more broadly, the planet,” says Dr. Tara Stoinski, the Fossey Fund’s president and chief scientific officer. “It is our hope that people who visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus will leave inspired to make a difference, just as Dian Fossey did.”

Once feared to be extinct by the year 2000, mountain gorillas now represent a story of hope, and the conservation successes tied to their survival are a tribute to the dedication and hard work of the boots-on-the-ground protection provided by organisations like the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund – the world’s largest and longest-running organisation dedicated entirely to gorilla conservation.

Their studies of individual gorillas are coupled with people-centred programs aimed at training the next generation of African conservationists – as well as addressing the basic needs of communities who live alongside the gorillas through food and water security, livelihood and education programmes.

“Dian Fossey has always been a hero of mine, and so it’s been the honor of a lifetime to support this project.” – Ellen DeGeneres