Kwita Izina, the gorilla naming ceremony organised by Rwanda every year since 2005, has been attracting growing interest from abroad. What is it and how does the biggest conservation event of the Gorilla Highlands region actually look like?
1. You are not going to see any real gorillas at Kwita Izina
It’s better we deal with this major misconception first. No, the Rwanda Development Board is not going to torture gorilla babies by bringing them to the event. Instead you will get a photo list of little gorillas born that year. There will be dashes for names, and you can entertain yourself by making them up, however, the real thing is going to be done from the stage, by important personalities from around the globe.
2. It always happens at the same place at (almost) the same time
You can plan for this. The setting is Kinigi, the headquarters of Volcanoes National Park not far from Musanze Town, and it happens the first Friday of September, beginning in the morning.
3. It is a free event with online registration
You will have to apply for your free ticket to Kwita Izina online, and that will be it. The 2019 event will take place on 6 September.
4. This is massive, arrive early
It is an excellent idea to be at the site before 8am. The best parking places and the best seats will still be available for you to grab. The entertainment begins early, you can meet many lovely people and thoroughly enjoy the informal side of Kwita Izina. Tens of thousands of people will join you later.
5. There are a number of speeches
In addition to famous singers and performers and top traditional dancing groups, there are of course a couple of people who are expected to say something. If you are lucky, you will hear President Kagame himself, and each of the gorilla namers will explain her or his choice. It will help your focus if you can actually see the speakers in real life, instead of following the action on big screens – see Practical Thing #4!
6. It takes hours but there is shade and there are drinks
Kwita Izina is a multi-hour event. You will be seated in big tents and there will be a bar.
7. Gorilla names are not a gimmick
Finally, gorilla names are actually a practical thing. After decades of conservation efforts, the number of mountain gorillas on this planet is bigger than 1,000 at last — but that still calls for extreme attention to each and every individual! For example, there are specialised gorilla doctors taking care of their health… Professionals who work with gorillas use noseprints (peculiar wrinkles above nostrils) to know who is who.
📸 photography by:
Marcus Westberg is a multiple award-winning photographer and writer from Sweden whose work — covering conservation, wildlife and travel — appears regularly in several global publications. He has made several trips to our region specifically to volunteer for Gorilla Highlands Experts. When not globetrotting, Marcus lives with his wife and daughter close to Lisbon, Portugal. Click for our interview with Marcus. [bio updated: 2026-03]
🎤 voice by:
Isabelle Masozera is a PR professional and event host who used to organise Gorilla Highlands Silverchef. A staunch believer in the potential of Rwanda and Africa, she resides in Kigali, Rwanda. [bio updated: 2026-03]
🖋️ text and 🎥 video by:
ML Rwebandira — formerly known as Miha Logar — is an adventure and cultural tourism expert, writer and multimedia producer who co-founded Gorilla Highlands Experts. His most recent publication is the Pocket Treasure. A national of both Uganda and Slovenia, ML resides with his son Lan in Musanze, Rwanda. Click for his personality-infused quarterly newsletters. [bio updated: 2026-05]