Rwanda’s Gorilla Naming Ceremony Kwita Izina

The Kwita Izina is the gorilla naming ceremony in Rwanda, where infants born in the year are given their own identities. In Rwanda gorilla trekking safaris happens in Volcanoes National Park in the northwestern part of the country. The mountain gorillas in the entire world live in three countries that is Rwanda, Uganda and D.R.Congo that is the Virunga area.

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There was a need to conserve the mountain gorillas before the 1980s as they were at the verge of extinction as explained by the American primatologist Dian Fossey. She was that hero that brought news to the world the extent at which the mountain gorillas were in danger. According to the census she carried out with her team, on the 1980s about 250 mountain gorillas were living by then in the entire world.

As a whistle blower and a mouthpiece of the vulnerable mountain gorillas, she was supported by several conservative organizations both internal and international. In 1985, she was brutally murderer at her residents by unknown assassins and her remains buried amongst the mountain gorillas who she defended to her last breath.

Each year, the Rwanda Development Board together with the government organize Kwita Izina which is the gorilla naming ceremony in celebration of the achievement attained by the mountain gorilla conservation fraternity and other stakeholders. The Kwita Izina function is normally carried out in the month of July but the dates keep changing.

People from world over attend the Kwita Izina function where Rwanda also showcases its others tourism potentials too. Some cultural performances are done including traditional dances accompanied by an orchestra of long drums and traditional songs. It is a moment that indulges you into the rich culture of the people of Rwanda.

Where to go For Gorilla trekking in Rwanda

Volcanoes National Park is the only destination for gorilla safaris in Rwanda. This pristine forest is home to so far 12 gorillas trekking families open to the public. The nature of the terrain of Volcanoes National Park is that it jagged resulting from Volcanic activities in this area that resulted into the formation of several high to lands including ridges and plateaus.

During gorilla safaris in Volcanoes National Park, tourists gather for briefing at the ORTPN then they are allocated to the different gorilla families. Along the way, you may spot other forest dwellers including blue monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, vervet monkeys, olive baboons and several others. look out for the various bird species that spend time in this forest including the Albertine rift endemics.

When you finally find the mountain gorillas, only one hour is allowed with them but while following the rules of gorilla trekking capture as many photos as you can to exhaust all the necessary moments with the mountain gorillas. Contact us for more information.

Who Can Attend The Kwita Izina Function In Rwanda

The criteria used to get a chance to attend the Kwita Izina gorilla naming ceremony is normally explained by the Rwanda Development Board. Even through a tour operator, like Encounter Africa safari, you may win yourself an opportunity of attending this function. There is normally protocol followed to get on the guest list of Kwita Izina since the function is also attended by top dignitaries of Rwanda Including the presidents who is passionate about nature conservation.

What To Expect At The Kwita Izina Function In Rwanda

During the Kwita Izina in Rwanda, expect to meet a number of conservation bodies within Rwanda and beyond. The work of protecting the mountain gorillas and there habitat is done by a number of stakeholders. In Rwanda, the Rwanda Development Board has an upper hand in the conservation of the mountain gorilla with the help of other non government bodies like Save a Gorilla, Gorilla Fund and others.

Each year the newborns in the different family of Volcanoes National Park are registered and this is a great achievement for the conservation fraternity in the country and beyond. Some attendees are given the honor to baptize these baby gorillas with names a moment that is worth remembering. The names given to these mountain gorillas are used for identification.

Gorilla habituation in Volcanoes National Park is still going on. Gorilla habituation is a process used to help the wild gorillas get used to the presence of humans without altering there characters.

Expect some traditional dance performances especially the Intore dance which is the face of Rwanda culture. These dance moves and the drum rhythms are contiguous so you may be pulled out of your seat to join those on the floor.

When Is The Best Time To Attend The Kwita Izina And Gorilla Trekking In Rwanda

The Kwita Izina function doesn’t have a specific time or date but is organized by the Rwanda Development Board so you have to keep checking with the calendar and notifications from this body. All factors kept constant, the Kwita Izina is normally expected to happen between July and August of each year.

For the best time to do gorilla trekking in Rwanda, the dry season is most preferred that is normally June to September and December to January. Note that Gorilla trekking is open all year but it is very safe to book your gorilla permit in advance no matter the travel time you choose.

The demand for gorilla permits in the dry season is over the top yet supply is restricted to a maximum 8 gorilla permits per day.

Other than, the gorilla trekking safari or Kwita Izina, availability of accommodations to use during the visit to Rwanda in this season gets tougher because it is peak tourism season too. For better planning and avoid inconveniences while on ground, reserve the necessary Rwanda Safari logistics in advance.

For gorilla trekking, even the wet season is great to do this Rwanda activity especially if you have a limited budget or wish not to share your moments with strangers. Usually during the low season, it is the rainy season in Rwanda too the demand for gorilla permits is less so one may get the chance to find last minute permits even tough it is not guaranteed.

Are Rwanda mountain gorillas aggressive to visit

In nature, mountain gorillas are calm primates even though they can charge when provoked. The mountain gorillas in Rwanda are not aggressive and even before opening them to public they are first habituated for unknown time until proved ready to be opened to the public.

Every gorilla safari to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda must be escorted by a ranger guide. The ranger guides carry some emergency protective gears in case need arises. In case some trimming of the vegetation along the trails has to be done, the ranger guide uses the machete. The ranger guide also follows the pace of the slowest trekker so that no one is forgotten in the wilderness. 

Even when you notice some odd behaviors amongst the mountain gorillas, stay calm and wait for the ranger guide to establish the cause of the matter. Abide by the new instructions given by the ranger guide so as to calm the situation in the forest.

Is Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda easy or hard

The gorilla trekking adventure in Rwanda is considered quite steeper compared to its counterparts Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The nature of the topography of Bwindi forest is rugged with several highlands that result from Volcanic actions in this area.

Sometimes the mountain gorillas tend to spend time on the slopes of these highlands so to trace them you need to hike which gets quite challenging. No matter what you go through to find the mountain gorillas, meeting them is an unforgettable moment when you are just a few meters from them. 

On the way to find the mountain gorillas, you may meet obstacles including draping creepers, over flooded surface, water logged ground and much more. wearing the right attire for the gorilla safari in Rwanda may save you from getting hurt along the way.

During a rainy day, the mountain gorillas tend to spend more time deep in the forest or in hiding but you have to trace them.

How much is the cost of Gorilla Trekking Safari in Rwanda

The cost of the gorilla trekking tour in Rwanda is categorized into Upmarket, mid-range and basic. The cost of the Rwanda gorilla permit cuts across these categories. Currently, the cost of the Rwanda gorilla permit is $ 1500 per person for foreign nonresidents, $500 for Foreign residents $500 for Other Africans and $200 for East Africans.

In addition to gorilla permits, there are other necessary Rwanda safari logistics that  are included in the safari quotation such as accommodation cost, transport and much more.

Is attending the Kwita Izina ceremony in Rwanda worth the money and Time

Be part of history by participating in the Kwita Izina ceremony where you may get that chance to baptize a mountain gorilla. The mountain gorillas in Rwanda have adhered to a number of atrocities including the 1994 genocide that also antagonized the conservation program. It is worth celebrating the achievements of Rwanda Development Board and other mountain gorilla conservation bodies within and out of the country.

The mountain gorillas are only living in three countries in the entire world of which Rwanda is among so spending time on the land where these endangered primates walk is remarkable. Other gorilla naming, the Kwita Izina ceremony is time to showcase the sights and sounds of Rwanda which are not known to the rest of the world.

Can I touch the mountain Gorillas during Kwita Izina ceremony

No mountain gorillas is brought on to the Kwita Izina ceremony grounds but some demonstrations in images that resemble the mountain gorillas. The faces of the new borns or pictures of the newborn gorillas are displayed to the public but the physical mountain gorilla babies are not on ground.

Mountain gorillas are primates that entirely depend on the forest supplies and cannot survive outside it. Even the gorillas live in families so detaching the baby from the mother may disturb her peace. Mountain gorillas undergo a habituation process which is very costly and time consuming so by picking a baby from them, you may undo the simple trust they may have.

In a nutshell, no mountain gorillas is brought at the ground ceremony of the Kwita Izina.

You can support the work of conserving the mountain gorillas by buying a gorilla permit, sponsor some community projects aimed at creating awareness about co-existing with the mountain gorillas, hire a porter to assist with your gorilla safari gears and others.

What to Pack for Kwita Izina ceremony and Gorilla Trekking Tour in Rwanda.

• Safari wear in colors like tan and Khaki that are wilderness friendly that cannot show dirt.
• Safari boots that you can use while in the wilderness to pass through soggy trails and rough surfaces
• Garden gloves to cover your palms in case you fall while in the wilderness.
• Warm jacket or poncho to cover yourself in case it gets too cold in the morning and late afternoon.
•  Snacks to feed on because breakfast is taken too early to last you the entire trek.
• Insect repellent to smear yourself with and protect yourself from biting insects in the wilderness.
• Pajamas to put on in the night when it gets cold because this area is extremely cold in the night.
• Extra clothes to wear after gorilla trekking.
• Waterproof light backpack to carry your belongings so that they do not get lost in the jungle or when you slip and fall.
• Sunscreen to smear on your body because Rwanda is a tropical country so expect the sun rays.
• A camera to capture photos of the memories of your experience with the mountain gorillas.
• Rain gear in case it rains any time without warning. This tropical forest receives rain any time without warning.
• Some money to exchange into local currency in order to purchase anything personal on ground.
• Safari hat to wear over your head and cover your hair from water dripping off the tree branches and moist atmosphere.

For more information, please contact our team.