Kwita Izina 2026: How It Went

On the morning of September 4, 2026, thousands of Rwandans, conservationists, rangers, and international guests gathered in Kinigi, Musanze — the same foothills where Dian Fossey once worked, and where mountain gorillas have slowly been brought back from the edge of extinction.

This year's ceremony was the 21st edition of Kwita Izina, held under the theme "Conservation is Life: Sustaining the Future." It brought together local communities, conservation partners, government leaders, and international guests to celebrate Rwanda's conservation achievements and reaffirm the shared commitment to protecting mountain gorillas and their habitat.

What Kwita Izina Means

The name translates directly from Kinyarwanda as "to give a name." It comes from the centuries-old Rwandan tradition where families and communities gather to welcome and name newborn children. Since 2005, Rwanda has applied that same tradition to its mountain gorillas — a public ceremony where each newborn gorilla receives its name in front of the nation and the world.

The Names Given This Year

Twenty-two baby gorillas born over the past year were officially named. With these 22, a total of 460 mountain gorillas have now been named through Kwita Izina since it became an official annual event in 2005.

The namers included football legends, Olympic champions, business leaders, conservationists, filmmakers, and other prominent figures from Rwanda and around the world.

Among the names given this year:

• Muganura, given by Patrice Evra — referring to Umuganura, the Rwandan ceremony of harvest and thanksgiving
• Tarama, given by Mutaz Essa Barshim — meaning to socialise or come together
• Indongozi, given by James Chester — meaning outstanding leader
• Impeta, given by Israel Mbonyi — meaning a symbol of recognition
• Ubukaka, given by Marie-Clémentine Dusabejambo — meaning majesty
• Ishakwe, given by Shaikha Al Nuwais — meaning determination

Each name is chosen to reflect the baby's personality, the circumstances of its birth, or a wish for its future — just as Rwandan families do for their own children.

The Atmosphere on the Ground

If you've never been to Kwita Izina, the atmosphere is difficult to describe. It's part celebration, part memorial, part promise. Families from nearby villages sit alongside international visitors. Rangers who spend weeks in the forest tracking gorilla families stand on the same stage as government ministers. And when each name is announced, the whole hillside responds.

The day opens with traditional Intore dancers and live music, followed by speeches from conservation leaders and government officials. Between the ceremonies, local crafts, food, and storytelling fill the grounds. It is one of the few events in the world where community, government, and global conservation sit in the same space.

Prime Minister Justin Nsengiyumva, who presided over the ceremony as Guest of Honour, put it this way: "A name for us is more than a celebration; it is a promise, and the promise we make to these gorillas is that they will have the protection, habitat, and conditions they need to grow, thrive, and reproduce."

Why It Matters Beyond Rwanda

Mountain gorillas remain one of the rarest great apes on Earth, and the Virunga massif — shared by Rwanda, Uganda, and the DRC — is the only place they live in the wild. Every baby named at Kwita Izina represents years of anti-poaching work, veterinary care, community engagement, and responsible tourism.

More than 1,060 mountain gorillas now live in the wild across the Virunga Massif and Bwindi ecosystem — up from about 430 in 2005. They remain the only great ape species whose population is actively increasing.

Tourism plays a direct role. Every gorilla trekking permit sold funds ranger salaries, park protection, and community projects around the park. Under Rwanda's revenue-sharing policy, 10% of all national park revenues is reinvested into communities bordering the park — billions of Rwandan Francs funding schools, health centers, and clean water systems since 2005.

Conservation here is not an abstract idea. It is a working system where visitors, rangers, and communities all have a stake in keeping gorillas alive.

Planning for Kwita Izina 2027

If you missed this year's ceremony and want to be there next year, planning starts early. Kinigi and Musanze accommodation fills months in advance, permits sell out, and the best lodges near the park book up first.

We can help with all of it — permits, transport from Kigali, rest days at B&P Ever Retreat Villa on Lake Kivu, and a full itinerary around the ceremony. Request a free quote and we'll design the trip around you.

After the Ceremony: Lake Kivu

One of the best ways to end a Kwita Izina trip is to drive west to Rubavu and unwind on the shores of Lake Kivu. After the noise of the ceremony, the calm of the lake is a welcome contrast — and it's exactly where B&P Ever Retreat Villa sits.

Private beach, pool, gardens, lake views, and a slower pace. If you come for the gorillas, stay for the lake.