Kwita Izina ceremony is an annual mountain gorilla naming ceremony. It occurs at Volcanoes National Park, part of the Virunga massif in northwestern Rwanda. The Kwita Izina ceremony is celebrated every September (World Gorilla Day month) by the Rwandan government since 2005. Before this ceremony, park rangers and researchers were responsible for naming the baby mountain gorillas. To ensure easy monitoring of each individual in their own family and habitat. The Kwita Izina ceremony was inspired by a long-standing tradition in Rwanda. This involved naming childern in the presence of family members, relatives, and friends.
The Kwita Izina ceremony plays a significant role in enhancing conservation efforts. It attaches value to the endangered mountain gorillas in Rwanda and worldwide. This gorilla naming ceremony also celebrates the efforts of various actors dedicated to the protection of mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. These include the park rangers, researchers, veterinary officials, conservationists, gorilla trackers, and communities adjacent to the park. Thanks to the Kwita Izina ceremony, over 350 mountain gorillas of Volcanoes National Park have been named in the past almost 2 decades.
The Kwita Izina ceremony has been pivotal in ensuring the healthy growth of the mountain gorilla population. This has seen the number of gorillas increase to now above 604 individuals in the entire Virunga massif. This number is part of the 1,063 remaining mountain gorillas on earth. The mountain gorilla naming ceremony has also enhanced awareness among various people of the value of mountain gorillas in Rwanda. These include citizens, celebrities, and international dignitaries who come to Rwanda for that purpose. This has subsequently led to preserving Rwanda’s unique natural wonders. In addition, it has also broadened the role of wildlife tourism in the country’s economy.
Reaching Volcanoes National Park for the Kwita Izina Ceremony
Volcanoes National Park can be reached from Kigali city using both road and air transportation. The distance from Kigali to the park headquarters is 107 kilometers and takes 2.5 to 3 hours. Your number one tour operator, Monteero Safaris, offers car hire services. You can select from our various assortment of vehicles such as 4X4 safari cars, saloon cars, and drones. A driver guide is also available for you to enjoy a seamless travel experience to Volcanoes National Park. We also offer pick-ups and drop-offs to either your accommodation or Kigali International Airport.
Using air transportation, the quickest way to reach Volcanoes National Park from Kigali, you will board a helicopter from Kigali International Airport. This is a 30 minutes flight to Musanze Airstrip, the nearest to Volcanoes National Park. A private flight on a helicopter can also be reserved with Monteero Safaris, and in advance to avoid inconveniences. Booking with Monteero Safaris also guarantees that our driver guides offer ground transportation both at Musanze and at Kigali. Besides transportation, we also prepare the best tour packages with you to ensure a worthwhile travel experience with meals, accommodation and more tour activities.
Other activities to do at Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park covers a total land area of about 160 square kilometers. It is a biodiversity hotspot with a variety of flora and fauna. The destination has stunning scenery, including volcanoes, streams, and forest. Adjacent to the forest are a unique tribe of people known as the Batwa. These are always a joy to encounter. All these offer visitors a number of tour activities to experience besides the Kwita Izina Ceremony. These include,
Gorilla trekking
Visitors locate and spend an hour with the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural homes. You need to have a valid gorilla permit to be allowedthis exciting adventure in the dense forests of Volcanoes National Park. Tracking and observing a gorilla family commences at around 08:00 after a briefing conducted by the park authorities at the trailhead. Then you are led into the forest by experienced trackers and armed rangers.
Golden Monkey trekking
Golden monkey trekking allows visitors to track and spend an hour with a group of the endangered golden monkey in the bamboo forest. Each visitor needs a permit to track these amazing old-world monkeys in Volcanoes National Park. Trekking commences with a briefing before 08:00 conducted by the park rangers at the trailhead. Then you will be led into the forest to locate your golden monkey group in the company of experienced trackers and armed rangers.
Cultural experience
Cultural tours offer visitors are offered a chance to hike in the communities adjacent to the forests of Volcanoes National Park in order to explore the Batwa Pygmies. This is a chance to appreciate these former dwellers of the forest and their roles in conserving it. This is also a perfect opportunity to be entertained by their traditional dancers and musicians.
Guided hikes
Guided hikes are a unique activity that involves moving on foot while ascending the immensely lovely Virunga volcanoes such as Mount. Karisimbi and Mount. Bisoke. A hiking tour adventure requires a visitor to be in proper physical shape in order to conquer these imposing volcanoes. Strong hiking shoes to pass on rugged terrain are key for this adventure.
Birding
The Virunga massif ecosystem consists of a range of habitats including bamboo forest, alpine vegetation, woodland, swamp, grassland and mixed forest. These are home to over 270 bird species that include Albertine Rift endemics and some migratory species. Examples of the avifauna in Volcanoes include the Rwenzori nightjar, Rwenzori turaco, handsome francolin, mountain masked apalis, strange weaver and Rwenzori double collared sunbird.
For more information regarding the Kwita Izina Ceremony at Volcanoes National Park, and a comprehensive tour package for a perfect Rwanda safari, feel free to contact us at Monteero Safaris.