Every September, the quiet town of Kinigi in Rwanda’s Northern Province becomes the centre of global attention. Conservationists, tourists, photographers, researchers, government leaders, and nature lovers from around the world gather for one remarkable event, Kwita Izina, Rwanda’s annual Gorilla Naming Ceremony.
This year, the 21st edition of Kwita Izina will take place on Friday, 4 September 2026, under the theme “Conservation is Life: Sustaining the Future.” While the ceremony celebrates the naming of newborn mountain gorillas, it also tells a much bigger story about Rwanda’s commitment to wildlife conservation, sustainable tourism, and the communities that help protect one of the world’s rarest animals.
The tradition of Kwita Izina is inspired by Rwanda’s own culture, where families gather to name a newborn child and celebrate the beginning of a new life. That same spirit has been extended to mountain gorillas, with every newborn receiving a unique name that helps researchers identify and monitor each individual throughout its life.
Since the first official ceremony in 2005, 438 baby gorillas have been named, marking an extraordinary conservation journey. Today, the mountain gorilla population continues to grow, making it the only great ape species in the world whose numbers are increasing.
But Kwita Izina is no longer just a conservation event. It has become one of Africa’s most important tourism and cultural celebrations.
Throughout the week, visitors will have the chance to explore conservation exhibitions, discover Made in Rwanda products, experience traditional performances, meet conservation experts, and learn how tourism is helping improve the lives of communities living near Volcanoes National Park. International journalists and travel creators will also travel across the country, sharing Rwanda’s landscapes, culture, and wildlife with audiences around the world.
For photographers and storytellers, Kwita Izina offers unforgettable moments, from colourful cultural performances and breathtaking scenery to emotional encounters with the people working every day to protect Rwanda’s mountain gorillas.
As Rwanda prepares to welcome the world once again, Kwita Izina continues to prove that conservation is about much more than protecting wildlife. It is about creating opportunities for communities, preserving natural heritage, and ensuring future generations can continue to experience one of Africa’s greatest conservation success stories.
Whether you are planning to attend the event or simply following from afar, Kwita Izina 2026 promises to be another memorable chapter in Rwanda’s conservation journey.
Stay with iRwanda.rw for exclusive news, interviews, photography, and behind the scenes coverage as we bring you every moment from Kwita Izina 2026.