RDB announces number of baby Gorillas to be named
The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) has announced that the annual Kwita Izina baby gorilla naming ceremony will take place on September 5, 2025, in Kinigi, near Volcanoes National Park.
This year, 40 baby gorillas will be named, including 18 born in 2024. It will be the 20th edition of this iconic event in Rwanda.
Originally, this year’s ceremony would have been the 21st, but last year’s event was postponed due to the Marburg virus outbreak in the country.
Irène Murerwa, RDB’s Head of Tourism, said it is a great honor for Rwanda to once again host the Kwita Izina ceremony.
“We are excited to celebrate the 20th edition of Kwita Izina, a ceremony that has become a symbol of conservation, community, and Rwandan culture. We thank the Government of Rwanda, our partners, and the local communities for their support and commitment,” she said.
She added that the event comes at a time when the mountain gorilla population continues to grow.
“The number of gorillas in the Greater Virunga Landscape has increased from 880 in 2012 to over 1,063 today. This reflects the success of community-based conservation approaches and vital partnerships.”
The ceremony will also be an occasion to recognize local communities and park rangers who contribute to the protection of gorillas in Rwanda.
It will be accompanied by other activities, including a golf tournament and a gala dinner for invited guests on September 6.
Since the first Kwita Izina ceremony in 2005, a total of 397 baby gorillas have been named.