A Future for Gorillas and Conservation
The Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund
Explore the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund
The Ellen Campus, which opened in 2022 near Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park – home to the majestic mountain gorillas – is the realization of a 20-year dream. This world-class research and education center honors Dian Fossey’s legacy and furthers our mission to save gorillas from extinction.
The campus is open daily to the public, offering state-of-the-art exhibits showcasing nearly 60 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 with our dedicated staff.
Watch a tour of our exhibits at the Ellen DeGeneres campus.
Visit the Ellen Campus
The Ellen DeGeneres Campus is open every day from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., with the last entry at 4 p.m. and registration is required for all guests visiting the campus.
Self-Guided Tour
Explore our nearly six decades of gorilla research and conservation. Highlights 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.
No pre-booking is required, but registration is required. A suggested $20 donation per adult supports our conservation work. Donations can be made online or upon entry.
VIP Experiences
Behind-the-Scenes VIP Tour
Enjoy a full tour of the campus with a Fossey Fund senior staff member as your guide. 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. The cost is $800 for up to five people, with $100 per additional person up to a maximum of 10 people. Contact the gallery team for large-group pricing.
Silverback Sundowner
A special evening gathering featuring breathtaking views of the mountains and light refreshments with Fossey Fund staff. Guests are invited to tour the conservation gallery first and then meet up with our gorilla experts on the Virunga Overlook. Here you can share experiences and speak directly with those in the know. A selection of non-alcoholic drinks, wine, specialty cocktails and light snacks are included. Silverback Sundowner experiences take place beginning as early as 4 p.m.and require pre-booking. The cost is $1,000 for up to five people, $100 per additional person for up to a maximum of 30 people.
Note: VIP Experiences are non-refundable but can be rescheduled with 24 hours notice.
Preferred Travel Partnerships
Preferred travel partners of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund receive exclusive benefits, including priority access to the campus as well as marketing and promotional opportunities to the Fossey Fund’s more than 1 million followers on social media and direct supporters.
To become a preferred travel partner of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, an annual donation of $15,000 is required as well as a signed partnership agreement.
For more information on how to become a preferred travel partner, please contact Megan Golder
Our Preferred Travel Partners

Extraordinary Journeys
Luxury Travel for the Wild at Heart
Extraordinary Journeys, founded in 2008, believes that travel, when done right, has the power to be a transformative force for good. With roots dating back over 50 years in East Africa, this family-owned company maintains a deep connection to the continent. Established by a passionate mother-daughter team and operated by an all-female staff, Extraordinary Journeys sets itself apart with a commitment to ensuring that each client’s journey not only enriches their own life but also has a positive impact on the destinations they visit.
Specializing in sustainable luxury travel, Extraordinary Journeys offers elevated wildlife encounters, immersive cultural experiences, community-centered projects, distinctive culinary adventures, and active and off-the-beaten-path explorations. In Rwanda, the on-the-ground team arranges experiences such as personally guided, multi-day treks in Nyungwe Forest National Park, exclusive access to experiences and conservation professionals in Volcanoes National Park, and curated culinary and fashion tours led by the country’s top chefs and designers. Extraordinary Journeys provides insights on the best places to stay, eat, drink, and explore, fostering meaningful connections with the people, culture, wildlife, and landscapes of Rwanda. We also curate trips to other parts of East Africa, including Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya.
Their dedicated team believes in ever-so-gently encouraging clients to venture just a step outside their comfort zone—because that’s where the magic happens.
Contact Extraordinary Journeys

Safarious
Safarious is a not-for-profit platform created to support independent guides and give back to the wild places that have given us so much. It was founded by four of Africa’s most experienced private guides—each with decades spent walking these landscapes, learning their rhythms, and building lasting relationships with the people and communities who call them home.
We’ve always believed that safaris should do more than create beautiful memories—they should leave something behind. That’s why we created The Safarious Fund. For every safari booked through us, 2% of the trip cost goes directly into the Fund, supporting conservation efforts and community-led projects across Africa. It’s not a donation add-on or a nice extra—it’s built into how we work.
The journeys we design are never off-the-shelf. They’re tailored to you—your pace, your interests, your sense of adventure. Whether it’s tracking big cats on foot, exploring remote waterways, or simply slowing down to watch the wild unfold from camp, we believe in travel that’s personal, immersive, and deeply rewarding.
At the heart of it all, we want to create safaris that feel honest and unforgettable—for you, and for the wild places you’ll come to know.
Contact Safarious

Alexis Stein Travel & Design
Rooted in purposeful exploration, Alexis Stein Travel & Design is a boutique agency that curates one-of-a-kind safaris and conservation-minded journeys across Africa and beyond. Every itinerary is hand-built from the ground up, guided by a simple ethos: meaningful travel should enrich our guests’ lives while uplifting the people and wild places they encounter.
Why we do what we do
Founder Alexis Stein has served on the board of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund since 2017, giving her an insider’s perspective on Rwanda’s pioneering conservation work. Long before launching her agency, she worked in Rwanda teaching music, forging friendships that still shape our people-first approach. Today, Alexis is a mom of three adventurous boys (her eldest logged his first game drive at eight months) so we know exactly how to make Africa accessible, inspiring, and safe for families, too.
How we build a journey
We start by listening. Whether a client dreams of tracking silverbacks alongside Fossey researchers, shadowing anti-poaching canine units, or arranging a private veterinary day in the bush, we translate those passions into immersive, responsible experiences. Our on-the-ground network spans Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and beyond, and we partner only with camps and lodges that demonstrably invest in their communities and ecosystems.
Giving back, every step of the way
A portion of our proceeds supports field research, community education, and habitat protection through the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and other initiatives. By choosing Alexis Stein Travel & Design, travelers join a wider circle of guardianship, turning once-in-a-lifetime adventures into lasting impact.
Beyond the safari
Alexis also founded The Adventurous Women’s Club, a series of small-group expeditions for fearless female travelers, and is an affiliate of Travel Experts and Virtuoso. From multigenerational gorilla treks to women-led desert crossings, we say yes to the extraordinary, then make it happen with authenticity, creativity, and heart.
Contact Alexis
Travel With Us
Embark on the adventure of a lifetime with the Fossey Fund’s luxury travel experiences to Africa, personally led by our President and CEO/Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Tara Stoinski. These exclusive journeys offer unparalleled opportunities to explore Africa’s breathtaking landscapes, witness mountain gorillas in their natural habitat and gain unique insights into conservation efforts. For more information about upcoming trips, contact us today!
General Travel Information
To find out more about accommodations, gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking, and a trek to Dian Fossey’s gravesite, visit: https://www.volcanoesnationalparkrwanda.com/
To book a gorilla trek permit, visit: https://visitrwandabookings.rdb.rw/rdbportal/web/rdb/mountain-gorilla-tracking
Please note, the Fossey Fund is unable to book a permit on your behalf. Traveling with a group of six or more? Email us for more information and custom itineraries.