Kwita Izina is the annual gorilla naming ceremony at which Rwanda gives names to the baby mountain gorillas born during the year. It takes place in early September in Kinigi, at the foot of Volcanoes National Park, in the northwest of the country. The 21st edition was held on September 4, 2026, with 22 babies named.
Origins and meaning of the Kwita Izina gorilla naming ceremony
In Kinyarwanda, “kwita izina” means to give a name. The ceremony draws on a very old Rwandan tradition: naming a child in the presence of family and friends. Since 2005, Rwanda has applied this rite to mountain gorillas, according to the tourism office Visit Rwanda.
The idea is to give value to each animal, and to thank those who protect them: communities living around the park, researchers, vets, rangers and trackers. The background explains what is at stake. In the early 1980s, only about 250 mountain gorillas remained in the Virunga massif, Prime Minister Justin Nsengiyumva recalled in 2026. Today there are more than 1,060 in the Virungas and Bwindi, according to the Rwanda Development Board.
Part of the tourism money goes back to the villages. Ten percent of national park revenue is shared with them. According to the RDB, more than 23 billion Rwandan francs have funded nearly 1,300 local projects this way.
This is an extraordinary conservation success, but also a reminder that our work must continue.
How the ceremony unfolds
The baby gorillas are not there: they stay in the forest with their families. The names are given from a stage. Each baby receives a Kinyarwanda name, chosen by an invited namer, along with its meaning.
In 2026, the namers included figures from diplomacy, business and sport, as well as a ranger from Nyungwe National Park. Among them were former footballers Patrice Evra and Mamadou Sakho, and David Lappartient, president of the Union Cycliste Internationale. A few of the 2026 names:
| Name | Meaning | Namer |
|---|---|---|
| Muganura | the harvest | Patrice Evra |
| Ntwarane | common goal | Mamadou Sakho |
| Muhuza | the one who connects | David Lappartient |
| Ndahiro | commitment | Jeannette Uwimbabazi, ranger |
The ceremony comes with Rwandan dance and music performances. The 2026 theme was “Conservation is Life: Sustaining the Future.” The same day, the foundation stone of a “green village” was laid in Kinigi, as part of a project to extend the park.
Dates and places
| Edition | Date | Babies named |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 (20th) | September 5 | 40 |
| 2026 (21st) | September 4 | 22 |
| 2027 | early September, date not announced |
Everything happens in Kinigi, headquarters of Volcanoes National Park, in Musanze district. The 2027 date will be announced by the Rwanda Development Board.
Attending
Registration. At past editions, entry was free with online registration, according to the Gorilla Highlands guide (2018). These arrangements may change: check with the RDB each year. The same guide advised arriving before 8 a.m. to get a spot, as the ceremony draws large crowds.
Seeing the gorillas. The ceremony does not let you see any gorillas. For that, you need a tracking permit, sold for $1,500 per person per day according to Visit Rwanda. Only eight permits are issued per gorilla family per day, the encounter lasts one hour at most, and you must be at least 15 years old.
Our advice
September is a very busy time in Volcanoes National Park. Book your permit on the Irembo platform or through a licensed tour operator several months ahead, even before booking your flights.
Entry requirements. Visa rules depend on your nationality: check your case on our Rwanda entry requirements page. French passport holders receive a free 30-day tourist visa on arrival. Your passport must be valid for six months after entry.
Weather. Early September is the turning point between the dry season, from mid-June to mid-September, and the rainy season that follows.
Watch out
Volcanoes National Park is close to the border with DR Congo, where France Diplomatie (the French foreign ministry's travel advice) asks travelers to be very careful. Inside the park, visits must be made with a guide. Plastic bags are banned in Rwanda and confiscated as early as the airport.
Also check your own government's travel advice. For the rest of your trip, see our Rwanda guide and the other festivals in Rwanda, including Umuganura.
Frequently asked questions
Do you see the baby gorillas during Kwita Izina?
No. The gorillas stay in the forest. The ceremony takes place on a stage, with the list and photos of the year's babies.
Can you suggest a name for a gorilla?
Names are given by namers invited by the organizers. The public attends the ceremony but does not choose the names.
Do you need a gorilla permit to attend the ceremony?
No. The ceremony and gorilla tracking are two separate things. The $1,500 permit only covers visiting a gorilla family in the park.
