As we count down to the long-awaited 2019 gorilla naming ceremony scheduled on September 6th, 2019, do not dare miss! The day will be massively celebrated in Musanze at Kinigi headquarters of Volcanoes National Park. This year’s gorilla naming ceremony will mark Rwanda’s 15th baby gorilla naming since 2005 when the first set of baby gorillas were named. As always, many people from all over the world will grace this colorful day. Among the confirmed people who will attend the 2019’s gorilla naming ceremony include Tony Adams, the former Captain or Arsenal football club, Louis Van Gaal, the former manager for Manchester united, Naomi Campbell, the British model and Ne-Yo the RnB singer. This year, 25 baby gorillas will be named and it will mark Rwanda’s 15th kwita Izina ceremony. The yet to be named babies are the new additions born in the last months of 2018 and since the start of 2019.
About gorilla naming ceremony
You may wonder what really takes place on the gorilla naming ceremony. Well, lots of activities take place on this day and thousands of revelers both nationals and internationals flock Musanze park headquarters to be part of this memorable experience. Among the things you should know about the Kwita Izina ceremony include:
No actual gorilla is brought to the scene
Baby gorilla in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda
It happens at the same place, same time
Since its initiation, the gorilla-naming ceremony has been taking place in Musanze at Kinigi park headquarters of Volcanoes National park. Kinigi is a few meters away from Volcanoes National park and it’s where pre gorilla trekking briefing takes place every morning of gorilla trekking in Rwanda. Also, Kwita Izina happens almost on the same dates during the first Friday of September each year. The function starts early in the morning accompanied by lots of traditional performances by Rwanda locals.
Expect many speakers
President Paul Kagame giving a speech at Kwita Izina
Arrive early
Arriving very early at the scene will save you missing out a lot. Come early, get your seat and wait for the guests of honor. Interestingly, entertainment groups arrive at the scene as early as 7:00 am, so you will not be bored.
About gorilla trekking in Rwanda
Rwanda is one of the three countries, which shelter the endangered mountain gorillas. The land of a thousand hills is home to over 350 mountain gorillas dwelling in the jungle forest of Volcanoes National Park in the northwestern province of Rwanda. Volcanoes Park is home to 10 gorilla families each visited by eight people per day. Gorilla families in Rwanda are Amahoro, Agashya, Umubano, Sabyinyo, Susa, Kwitonda, Hirwa, Karisimbi, Bwenge, Ugendo and Tits Gorilla families. Each family is unique in its own kind with a different stripy of its formation, gorilla numbers, and location. Rwanda Development Board manages all gorilla trips and other tourism activities in Rwanda. The increment of gorilla permit prices from $750 to $1500 transformed the country into a luxury gorilla tour destination compared to Uganda and Rwanda.
Gorilla naming ceremony/Kwita Izina is a once in a lifetime experience worth attending. Book for your ticket, reserve your seat and be part of this massive memorable experience. To book a gorilla naming ceremony, contact Gorilla Trek Africa, for assistance and further travel advice
