The 21st edition of Kwita Izina, Rwanda’s annual gorilla naming ceremony, will take place on Friday, 4 September 2026, at the foothills of Volcanoes National Park in Kinigi, Musanze District. This year’s theme, “Conservation is Life: Sustaining the Future,” highlights Rwanda’s commitment to protecting mountain gorillas while promoting sustainable tourism, conservation and community development.
Kwita Izina was launched in 2005, inspired by Rwanda’s centuries-old tradition of naming children. Since then, it has grown into a major international conservation event, bringing together government leaders, conservationists, researchers, tourism stakeholders, communities and international visitors. Across its first 20 editions, 438 mountain gorillas have been named, reflecting Rwanda’s long-term commitment to the protection of the species.
The 2026 edition comes at an important moment for Rwanda’s gorilla tourism. A recent UK wildlife-experience ranking placed mountain gorilla trekking in Rwanda at number one in the world, scoring 90 out of 100. The ranking recognised the experience for its rarity, conservation value, high-quality guiding, controlled visitor numbers and strong likelihood of encountering mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. For Rwanda, the recognition further strengthens the country’s position as a leading destination for responsible wildlife tourism.
The Kwita Izina celebrations will run beyond the main ceremony. A conservation exhibition will take place from 28 August to 8 September 2026 in Kinigi, while special screenings of A Gorilla Story are scheduled for 2–3 September. On 3 September, invited guests and Namers will participate in gorilla trekking before a community celebration concert in Musanze, bringing conservation closer to the communities that live alongside the park.
The main ceremony on 4 September will be followed by the Kwita Izina Concert at BK Arena in Kigali on Saturday, 5 September 2026. Nigerian Afrobeats star Rema is confirmed as the headline performer, alongside Rwandan and regional artists. The concert adds a major cultural and entertainment dimension to a week whose central message remains the importance of conservation and sustainable tourism.
Kwita Izina has therefore evolved into much more than a gorilla-naming ceremony. It is a global platform for showcasing Rwanda’s conservation model and the economic and social benefits of wildlife tourism. Coming shortly after Rwanda’s mountain gorilla experience was recognised by a UK ranking as the world’s leading wildlife encounter, the 4 September 2026 ceremony provides another opportunity for Rwanda to demonstrate how protecting biodiversity can go hand in hand with tourism, community development and long-term environmental sustainability.
