There are some wildlife stories that go far beyond the headline. On 4 September 2026, Rwanda celebrated the 21st edition of Kwita Izina, its annual mountain gorilla naming ceremony, at Kinigi near Volcanoes National Park.
This year, 22 baby mountain gorillas were given names, continuing a conservation tradition that has become one of Rwanda’s most important tourism and conservation events. Rwanda Development Board says that Kwita Izina has now named hundreds of mountain gorillas since the annual ceremony began in 2005. But if you are planning a trip to Rwanda, the bigger question is:
What does all of this mean for you as a traveller?
It means Rwanda’s gorillas are not simply a tourism attraction
A gorilla trek can easily become one of those experiences people put on a bucket list. You wake before sunrise. You travel towards the forest. The landscape becomes greener and steeper. Eventually, your trackers signal that the gorillas are nearby. And then you see them. A silverback resting among the vegetation. A mother moving through the forest with her infant. Young gorillas playing, climbing and testing their surroundings.
Suddenly, the experience becomes much more than ticking “gorilla trekking” off a travel list. It is a chance to see conservation in action. Rwanda describes Kwita Izina as a celebration of its conservation achievements and the role of communities and partners in protecting mountain gorillas and their habitat. The 2026 programme also included conservation exhibitions, community activities and gorilla trekking experiences.
Where can you go for gorilla trekking in Rwanda?
For travellers interested in mountain gorillas, the key destination is Volcanoes National Park in northern Rwanda. The park is part of the Virunga Massif, a remarkable volcanic landscape shared by Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
This makes northern Rwanda an excellent base for a wider safari experience.
You could combine:
- 🦍 Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
- 🌋 Volcano landscapes around Musanze
- 🥾 Hiking and nature experiences
- 🏞️ Cultural experiences
- 🌊 Lake Kivu
- 🐘 Akagera National Park
- 🌳 Nyungwe National Park
That last point is particularly important.
Rwanda does not have to be a one-experience destination.
A traveller can combine primates, savannah wildlife, rainforest and lakes within one country.
Should you choose Rwanda or Uganda for gorilla trekking?
This is one of the most common questions travellers ask. Both countries offer exceptional mountain-gorilla experiences, but they offer different safari experiences around them.
Rwanda is attractive for travellers who want a relatively compact itinerary combining gorilla trekking with destinations such as Akagera and Lake Kivu.
Uganda offers the opportunity to combine gorilla trekking in Bwindi with destinations such as Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale Forest, Lake Mburo or Murchison Falls.
So the question isn’t necessarily: “Which country has the better gorillas?” A better question is: “Which country gives me the overall safari experience I want?”
What should you know before booking?
Gorilla trekking requires planning. Start with the permit. Permit availability can influence your travel dates, so it is wise to organise this before building the rest of your itinerary.
You should also consider:
Fitness: Trekking conditions can vary considerably.
Weather: Mountain rainforest conditions can change quickly.
Clothing: Lightweight, breathable clothing plus good hiking shoes are important.
Time: Don’t make your gorilla trek a rushed one-day addition to a larger trip.
Responsible tourism: Follow your guide’s instructions and maintain the required distance from the gorillas. And perhaps most importantly, remember that you are entering the animals’ home.
Why Kwita Izina matters to travellers
The naming of 22 baby gorillas is beautiful on its own. But there is a deeper story. Every successful conservation programme creates an opportunity for people to experience wildlife that might otherwise disappear. Tourism can help make that conservation economically meaningful and that is why events such as Kwita Izina matter beyond the ceremony itself. They remind us that a safari is not simply about what we see. It is also about what we help protect by choosing to visit responsibly.
Planning a Rwanda gorilla safari?
If seeing mountain gorillas is on your bucket list, Rwanda deserves a place near the top of your travel plans. And don’t stop at the gorillas. Let your journey continue into Rwanda’s hills, forests, lakes and savannah.
Kori Safaris can help you build a Rwanda itinerary around the experiences that matter most to you.
Gorillas. Wildlife. Culture. Adventure.
Your Rwanda story starts with a plan.
