Kwita Izina Gorilla Naming Ceremony in Rwanda

The Kwita Izina is one of the most popular conservation activities in Rwanda.  It is held  at the foothills of Volcanoes National Park in Kinigi, Musanze District annually .Kwita Izina is Rwanda’s annual Gorilla Naming Ceremony, an internationally recognized event that celebrates the birth of new mountain gorillas and Rwanda’s achievements in wildlife conservation.The name Kwita Izina means “to give a name” in Kinyarwanda. The event is based on a centuries-old Rwandan tradition in which newborn children are given names in the presence of family and members of the community. Rwanda adapted this tradition to celebrate newborn mountain gorillas and to emphasize the importance of protecting them. The official annual ceremony began in 2005.

The 21st edition was particularly important because it demonstrated how Rwanda has developed Kwita Izina from a simple gorilla-naming event into a major international platform for conservation, sustainable tourism, community development and environmental protection.

The theme of the 21st edition was “Conservation is Life: Sustaining the Future.” This theme emphasized that protecting wildlife and ecosystems is not only about preserving animals today but also about ensuring that future generations can benefit from a healthy natural environment.

Gorilla in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda

Where Did the 21st Kwita Izina 4th September, 2026 Take Place?

The main ceremony took place in Kinigi, Musanze District, Northern Rwanda, at the foothills of Volcanoes National Park.This location is extremely important because Volcanoes National Park is home to Rwanda’s mountain gorillas. Holding the ceremony close to the gorillas’ natural habitat allows the event to connect directly with the conservation work taking place in the park.

Kinigi therefore becomes the centre of attention for conservationists, tourists, government officials, community members, researchers and international visitors during Kwita Izina.The choice of location also demonstrates the close relationship between wildlife conservation and tourism in Rwanda. Volcanoes National Park is one of Rwanda’s most important tourism destinations because visitors come to the area for mountain gorilla trekking and other nature-based experiences.

The Guest of Honor at the 21st Kwita Izina was Rt. Hon. Justin Nsengiyumva, Prime Minister of Rwanda. He attended the ceremony alongside other important national and international guests. The event brought together representatives from government, conservation, tourism, business, sport, entertainment, philanthropy and public service.

The Prime Minister’s participation demonstrated the importance Rwanda attaches to mountain gorilla conservation and sustainable tourism.During the ceremony, Prime Minister Nsengiyumva emphasized the value of Rwanda’s natural heritage and the importance of communities in protecting biodiversity. He also highlighted the role of Volcanoes National Park in the development of the people and the country.

How Many Gorillas Were Named?

One of the main activities of the 21st Kwita Izina was the naming of 22 baby mountain gorillas.The gorillas were given names by distinguished Namers selected from Rwanda and other parts of the world. These Namers came from different sectors, including conservation, tourism, business, sport, entertainment, philanthropy and public service.

Giving each gorilla a name is significant because it helps give individual animals an identity while also celebrating their birth and the continuing growth of the mountain gorilla population. Since the beginning of the official Kwita Izina ceremony in 2005, 438 mountain gorillas had been named through the ceremony before the 21st edition. The 22 gorillas named in 2026 brought the celebration of named gorillas to an even higher total.

Who Were Some of the Namers?

The 21st edition attracted a diverse group of internationally recognized personalities. One of the Namers was Shaikha Al Nowais, who is the incoming Secretary-General of UN Tourism. She named a female baby gorilla Ishakwe, a name meaning “determination.” Another Namer was Miguel Ángel Gil Marín, CEO and majority shareholder of Atlético de Madrid and a member of the UEFA Executive Committee.

Sports personalities were also represented. Former French international footballers Mamadou Sakho and Patrice Evra were among the Namers.Mamadou Sakho named a baby gorilla Ntwarane, representing the idea of people being united in pursuit of a common goal.Patrice Evra named another gorilla Muganura, a name connected to the idea of harvest and thanksgiving in Rwanda.

The 21st edition also included Kenza Johanna Ameloot, Miss Belgium 2024, who named a baby gorilla Nkwakuzi, and meaning “brave persons.”These names demonstrate that the ceremony is not simply about assigning identification labels to animals. The names often carry messages about determination, unity, courage, conservation, heritage and hope for the future.

What Actually Happened at the Ceremony?

The central activity was the official naming of the 22 baby mountain gorillas.The ceremony brought together local communities, conservationists, government officials, tourism representatives, international guests and partners.

The Namers were presented with the opportunity to give names to individual baby gorillas. Each name carried a particular meaning connected to conservation, Rwandan culture or a broader message about the future.

The event also celebrated the people responsible for protecting the gorillas. These include:

• Park rangers
• Gorilla trackers
• Veterinarians
• Researchers
• Conservation organizations
• Tourism workers
• Local communities
• Government institutions
• International conservation partners

This is important because mountain gorilla conservation requires continuous cooperation. Protecting the animals is not something that can be achieved through a single ceremony. It requires daily monitoring, habitat protection, scientific research and cooperation with communities.

The Meaning of the Theme: “Conservation is Life: Sustaining the Future”

The theme of the 21st Kwita Izina was “Conservation is Life: Sustaining the Future.”The theme communicates an important idea: human life and wildlife are connected to the health of the environment. Mountain gorillas depend on forests for their habitat, food and survival. Human communities also depend on healthy ecosystems for resources and economic opportunities.

Therefore, protecting the forest protects not only gorillas but also the wider ecosystem and communities living around it. The theme also looks toward the future. Rwanda wants conservation to continue beyond the current generation so that mountain gorillas, forests and other wildlife can survive for many years.

The official Kwita Izina programme described the 2026 event as a celebration of more than two decades of conservation progress while looking toward a future in which biodiversity, ecosystems and communities can thrive together.

Conservation and the Mountain Gorilla Population

One of the biggest achievements celebrated during the 21st Kwita Izina was the continued recovery of the mountain gorilla population.More than 1,060 mountain gorillas now live in the wild across the Virunga Massif and Bwindi ecosystem. The mountain gorilla is currently the only great ape whose population is continuing to increase.

This is a major conservation achievement becausen moutain gorillas have historically faced serious threats, including habitat pressures and human activities.Rwanda’s conservation model involves cooperation between the government, conservation organizations, researchers, veterinarians, rangers, tourism stakeholders and communities.Kwita Izina gives Rwanda an opportunity to showcase this conservation progress to the international community.

The Role of Local Communities

An important message of the 21st Kwita Izina was that local communities are essential to conservation.People living around national parks interact with the environment every day. For conservation to succeed, these communities need to benefit from the protection of natural resources.Rwanda has therefore linked tourism revenue to community development.

Through the Tourism Revenue Sharing Programme, 10 percent of national park tourism revenues are reinvested in communities surrounding protected areas. According to the Rwanda Development Board, more than RWF 23 billion has supported nearly 1,300 community projects, including schools, health centres, water infrastructure and livelihood initiatives.This creates an important relationship between tourism and conservation.

Tourists visit Rwanda to see the gorillas. Tourism generates revenue. Some of that revenue supports surrounding communities. Communities therefore have a greater opportunity to benefit from the conservation economy.

Smart green village in Rwanda

The Smart Green Village

Another important development connected to the 21st Kwita Izina celebrations was the Smart Green Village project in Kinigi.The project was launched through a groundbreaking ceremony on 27 August 2026, shortly before the gorilla naming ceremony.The project is intended to improve the livelihoods of communities surrounding Rwanda’s national parks while connecting community development with conservation and sustainable living.

The broader Volcanoes Community Resilience Project includes plans to expand Volcanoes National Park by approximately 3,740 hectares and establish approximately 6,620 hectares of buffer zones.The programme is expected to improve livelihoods for more than 17,000 people.This demonstrates that the 21st Kwita Izina was not only about naming gorillas. It was also part of a wider strategy linking environmental protection, tourism and community development.

Gorilla Trekking and Tourism

Gorilla trekking is one of Rwanda’s most famous tourism activities. Visitors travel to Volcanoes National Park to experience mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. The activity creates employment and business opportunities for guides, trackers, rangers, accommodation providers, transport companies and other tourism workers.

The 21st Kwita Izina therefore helped promote Rwanda as a destination for wildlife tourism and sustainable tourism. The ceremony also included a special Namer Gorilla Trekking Experience on 3 September 2026, when Namers and invited guests had the opportunity to experience gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. This connected the symbolic naming ceremony with the real conservation and tourism experience taking place in the national park.

Other Activities during the 21st Kwita Izina Celebrations

The main naming ceremony was part of a much larger programme. Several activities were organized around the 21st edition.

Conservation Exhibition

A conservation exhibition was held in Kinigi, Musanze, from 28 August to 8 September 2026.The exhibition showcased Rwanda’s mountain gorilla conservation journey and highlighted the communities and partners involved in protecting the gorillas.

A Gorilla Story Screenings

On 2 and 3 September, special screenings of the documentary A Gorilla Story took place in Kigali and Musanze. The documentary was narrated by Sir David Attenborough, while a Kinyarwanda version was narrated by Félix Ndagijimana. The documentary helped tell the story of Rwanda’s mountain gorilla conservation efforts to wider audiences.

Community Celebration Concert

On 3 September, the evening before the main ceremony, a community celebration concert was held at Ubworoherane Stadium in Musanze. The event combined entertainment and community participation as part of the wider Kwita Izina celebrations.

Kwita Izina Concert

The celebrations continued after the naming ceremony with a major concert at BK Arena in Kigali on 5 September 2026.The concert was headlined by international Afro beats artist Rema, bringing together music, entertainment, culture and conservation. This shows how Kwita Izina has developed beyond a conservation ceremony into a major national and international event.

Why Is the 21st Kwita Izina Important to Tourism?

The 21st Kwita Izina is particularly important for Rwanda’s tourism industry because it promotes the country internationally. When international visitors, celebrities, conservationists and business leaders attend the event, they receive an opportunity to experience Rwanda directly. They can learn about mountain gorillas, visit Volcanoes National Park, experience Rwandan culture and interact with communities.

This can encourage visitors to return to Rwanda or recommend the country to others. The event therefore works as a form of destination marketing. Instead of promoting Rwanda only through advertisements, the country uses an internationally recognized conservation event to demonstrate its natural attractions, culture, infrastructure and tourism experiences.

Kwita Izina and Rwanda’s International Image

The 21st edition also strengthened Rwanda’s image as a country that places significant importance on conservation. The story of the mountain gorillas gives Rwanda a powerful international conservation identity.

The success of the gorilla population demonstrates what can happen when governments, conservation organizations, scientists and communities work together over a long period. Kwita Izina allows Rwanda to communicate this story to an international audience.  It also demonstrates that conservation can contribute to economic development