40 Baby Gorillas To Be Named at 2025 Kwita Izina In Rwanda
Rwanda is set to host the landmark 20th edition of its Kwita Izina ceremony on September 5, 2025, celebrating and naming 40 baby mountain gorillas born in Volcanoes National Park—a momentous occasion for conservation, culture, and community engagement in Africa
The Significance of Kwita Izina
Kwita Izina, meaning “to give a name” in Kinyarwanda, is modeled after a centuries-old Rwandan ritual where newborns are given meaningful names at public ceremonies attended by family and friends[igcp.org:1]. Since its official launch in 2005, the gorilla naming event has grown into an annual highlight, attracting conservationists, dignitaries, and thousands of local and international guests to Kinigi at the foothills of Volcanoes National Park.
2025 Ceremony Highlights
This year’s theme, “A legacy of community centered conservation, securing a sustainable future for all,” will recognize the vital roles played by local communities, rangers, and researchers in protecting Rwanda’s biodiversity. The ceremony will see 40 baby gorillas named, including 18 born in 2024, a special acknowledgement after the previous 2024 edition was postponed due to the Marburg Virus outbreak.
Among the guests naming gorillas are likely to be conservation leaders, celebrities, and representatives of communities who have contributed significantly to monitoring, research, and improving gorilla habitats.
Conservation Achievements
Rwanda’s focus on conservation, largely driven by Kwita Izina, has led to tangible success. The number of mountain gorillas in the Virunga Massif has increased from 880 in 2012 to over 1,063 individuals today, a testament to the country’s dedicated strategies and the power of collaborative partnerships.
Since 2005, 397 baby gorillas have been named through the ceremony, helping researchers, vets, and park rangers monitor individual gorillas and families, track health and behavior, and expand conservation awareness.
Cultural and Community Impact
Kwita Izina serves to deepen ties between conservation initiatives and local communities, whose lives are intertwined with Volcanoes National Park. The weeklong festivities include educational debates, cultural performances, traditional dances, and fundraising galas that raise money for park restoration and community development projects.
Every gorilla’s name is chosen based on its unique personality, birth circumstances, or aspirations for the species—reflecting the deep meaning and blessing attached to names within Rwandan culture.
How were the 40 baby gorillas selected for naming this year
The 40 baby gorillas selected for naming at Kwita Izina 2025 were all infants born in the previous year within Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, specifically from monitored gorilla families under the park’s protection. The selection process is led by park rangers, researchers, and conservation professionals who track every gorilla birth, recording details such as birth circumstances, family lineage, and notable traits.
Selection Criteria
- Only baby gorillas born in the last year (2024) and a few late 2023 additions are eligible for naming.
- Infants are chosen from various established family groups actively monitored within Volcanoes National Park.
- Each selected baby gorilla’s name reflects their unique behaviors, family history, birth circumstances, or hopes for the future, imparted by both park staff and distinguished naming guests.
Purpose and Conservation
This annual public naming not only helps identify and track individual gorillas for research and health management, but also raises global awareness and celebrates conservation successes in Rwanda. The careful selection honors the contribution of park rangers, local communities, and the enduring bond between people and wildlife.
Looking Forward: Sustainable Tourism and Global Inspiration
Kwita Izina has elevated Rwanda as a global leader in sustainable tourism and conservation, inspiring similar ceremonies elsewhere and drawing international support for Africa’s endangered wildlife.
For 2025, the Rwanda Development Board will also launch a new crowdfunding platform to help expand and restore Volcanoes National Park, ensuring a safer, healthier habitat for mountain gorillas for generations to come.
The Kwita Izina ceremony embodies Rwanda’s commitment to conservation, its rich cultural heritage, and its resolve to secure a sustainable future for mountain gorillas and the communities that depend on their survival[igcp.org:1].
We at Rent A Driver Rwanda are very excited and proud of the Kwita Izina ceremopny as it shows just how far Rwanda and Uganda have come in efforts to conserve and usher new gorillas to the already growing number. Incase you would love to attend this event or go for gorilla safari in Volcanos national park– simply contact us now by sending an email to info@rentadriverrwanda.com or call us now on +256-700135510 to speak with the reservations team.
Report by Bryan Muhoozi
