Kwita Izina
The word Kwita Izina is derived from a local Rwandese word meaning “to give a name”. The Kwita Izina ceremony is always carried out in Rwanda and this involves giving baby gorillas names. Naming baby gorillas is a special honor and those giving names are carefully selected.
The meanings behind each gorillas name is always a heartfelt consideration in the year 2017, 14 new baby gorillas were named in Rwanda. The Kwita Izina is inspired by the Rwandan tradition of naming babies after giving birth. The Kwita Izina gorilla naming ceremony was first launched in 2005, many conservationists, dignitaries and local communities join together in celebration of nature. This year the ceremony will be very fascinating with the presence of some notable personalities and celebrities.
The gorilla naming ceremony is also part of the celebration of the conservation efforts since 1985 when there were about only 300 mountain gorillas in the world but today gorillas’ number up to about 900 individuals. This year, September 7th 2018, Rwanda will be hosting the 12th Kwita Izina gorilla naming ceremony; this is one of the biggest tourism events in East and central Africa that gorilla lovers should not miss. Since the event was established over 200 mountain gorillas have been named.
Each gorilla baby is given a name according to the circumstances and conditions it was born in, the naming of mountain gorillas always makes work easy for scientific and research studies as they can be identified by their names.
The endangered mountain gorillas can only be found in Mount Mgahinga national park and Bwindi impenetrable forest national park in Uganda, Volcanoes national park in Rwanda and Virunga national park in Congo.
Before the gorilla naming ceremony, other activities like the familiarization trip will take place, this trip bring the local and international tour operators together sharing and gathering ideas of the well being of Rwanda’s tourism sector. The local tour operators also get great opportunities of showcasing Rwanda’s diverse cultures and other attractions.
The other activity is a football tournament that will take place at the foot of volcanoes national park with conservation awareness. Travellers are also allowed to do other tourists activities before or after the ceremony they can go for gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, and golden monkey trekking and explore the canopy walk at Nyungwe forest national park.
Gorilla permits cost only $1500 per person in Rwanda. The best time to do gorilla trekking in Rwanda is from December to February and from June to September. Gorilla permits must be booked in advance as there is high demand especially during the peak season. Come encounter the endangered mountain gorillas in Rwanda for a life time memorable experience.
