Rwanda’s annual gorilla naming ceremony returns on September 5

The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) has announced that the 20th edition of the Kwita Izina Gorilla Naming Ceremony will take place on September 5, 2025. The event will be held at the foothills of Volcanoes National Park in Kinigi, Musanze District, bringing together communities living near the habitat of the endangered mountain gorillas to celebrate nature and conservation. Since its inception in 2005, over 390 baby gorillas have been named during the annual ceremony. Kwita Izina primarily serves as a platform to appreciate the local communities around Volcanoes National Park, along with rese

The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) has announced that the 20th edition of the Kwita Izina Gorilla Naming Ceremony will take place on September 5, 2025. The event will be held at the foothills of Volcanoes National Park in Kinigi, Musanze District, bringing together communities living near the habitat of the endangered mountain gorillas to celebrate nature and conservation. Since its inception in 2005, over 390 baby gorillas have been named during the annual ceremony. Kwita Izina primarily serves as a platform to appreciate the local communities around Volcanoes National Park, along with research partners, veterinarians, conservationists, rangers, and trackers who work tirelessly to protect the gorillas. Since 2005, Rwf 12.86 billion has been invested in 1,108 community projects, including schools, health centers, and dairy farms. These initiatives have empowered communities to become active participants in conservation, protecting both wildlife and the environment in and around national parks such as Volcanoes, Akagera, Gishwati-Mukura, and Nyungwe. According to the RDB Annual Report, Rwanda’s tourism revenue grew by 4.3% in 2024, reaching USD 647 million. This growth was largely driven by a 27% increase in gorilla tourism income and an 11% rise in air travel. In total, Rwanda welcomed more than 1.36 million visitors in 2024. Gorilla tourism was the main contributor to this growth, generating over USD 200 million in revenue.