2021 Kwita Izina- Rwanda Gorilla Naming Ceremony
2021 Kwita Izina- Rwanda Gorilla Naming Ceremony
2021 Kwita Izina- Rwanda Gorilla Naming Ceremony : The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) announced Friday that 24 endangered mountain baby gorillas born late last year and this year would be given names in an annual gorilla conservation ceremony known as ‘Kwita Izina.’
Unlike past years, when thousands of people, including foreign visitors, attended, this year’s celebrations will be held virtually to avoid the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic, according to Ariella Kageruka, RDB’s acting chief tourism officer, at a news conference in Kigali.
According to Kageruka, the event will take place on September 24 and will be the 17th of its type.
“This year, Rwanda is inviting the world to be a part of the ultimate celebration of life, as 24 new baby gorillas will be named at the ceremony, bringing the total number of newborn gorillas named to 328 since the start of this yearly event in 2005,” she added.
This year’s newborn gorilla naming ceremony, according to Kageruka, will highlight Rwanda’s conservation achievements, including the health of mountain gorillas and the need to extend their habitat, as well as how communities’ lives have been improved while allowing animal protection.
“Even as visitor numbers decline, the pandemic has highlighted the necessity of forming partnerships to promote conservation. We are grateful to our conservation partners for joining us on this adventure “she stated
In the small central African country, the naming of young gorillas has become a big tourism event. It has intensified efforts to protect endangered mountain gorillas, allowing Rwanda to tap into tourism income that are dependent on conservation.
According to Kageruka, Rwanda’s tourism income dropped sharply last year, totaling 121 million US dollars. This was a significant decrease from the 498 million dollars raised in 2019 as a result of the COVID-19 epidemic.
Due to COVID-19, tourist operations in Rwanda were halted for months until the nation reopened in June 2020, with a significant reduction in the cost of licenses to follow endangered mountain gorillas.
The infant gorilla naming ceremony amid the foothills of the Virunga Massif, in Kinigi sector, Musanze district, northern Rwanda, drew hundreds of Rwandans, members of the diplomatic corps, foreign dignitaries, sports stars, philanthropists, and conservation lovers from all over the globe.
RDB has been advertising Rwanda as a tourism destination to China through collaboration with Alibaba, according to Kageruka.
“Through our collaboration with Alibaba, we’re continuing to look at how we can ramp up our operations by hosting targeted travel media and trade from China, which will help us better access the Chinese market,” she said.
Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda.
For any tourists on a Rwanda safari, gorilla trekking is a thrilling and adventurous pastime. Any gorilla trekking tour in Rwanda must include a visit to the country’s mountain gorillas. In Rwanda, gorilla trekking is only possible in Volcanoes National Park, which has seven habituated gorilla populations. It’s no surprise that the national park serves as the starting point for all Rwanda gorilla trekking excursions.
Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park.
Because of the mountain gorillas that live within the park, Volcanoes National Park is Rwanda’s most visited national park. The park is one of Rwanda’s three national parks, and it is located in the Ruhengeri region, approximately 112 kilometers from Kigali. The park, which is located in Rwanda’s northwestern region, was designated as a national park in 1925.
The gorilla trekking activities in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park begin at Kinigi, the park’s headquarters. All gorilla trekking activities in the park begin at 8 a.m. every day, so tourists should keep track of time while on a Rwanda gorilla trekking safari.
Because the national park is surrounded by Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park includes monitoring trans-boundary mountain gorillas.
Trekkers go through 160km2 of bamboo and an afro-montane rain forest in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park to see gorillas. As a result, hiking gorillas in Rwanda is a little more difficult than in Uganda or Congo.
Tourists may visit additional sights in the national park, such as the Volcanic Mountains, which are part of the Virunga volcano massif, while hiking gorillas in Volcanoes. The Karisimbi, Sabyinyo, Gahinga, Muhabura, and Bisoke mountains are among them.
In addition to gorilla trekking, visitors to Rwanda can participate in other activities such as hiking Mount Karisimbi and Bisoke, hiking to Dian Fossey’s tomb, golden monkey tracking, nature walks, visiting the Musanze Caves, community walks, visiting the twin lakes Ruhondo and Burera, and taking an Iby’iwacu community tour.
Cost of Gorilla Trekking Permit in Rwanda.
Gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda are available for USD 1500 per person at the Volcanoes National Park headquarters and do not include park admission or porter expenses. Tourists may, however, schedule gorilla trekking through a reputable Rwandan travel operator. Visitors should check that the tour operator/company they are hiring is registered with the Rwandan government and the Rwandan Association of Tour Operators. Tourists are advised to book gorilla trekking permits at least six months in advance of their trip.
Best Time for Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda.
The dry season, which runs from June to September and December to February, is the greatest time to go gorilla trekking in Rwanda. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda, on the other hand, is possible all year.
Where to stay when during Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Rwanda.
When visiting Volcanoes National Park for a gorilla trekking safari, there are a variety of lodging options. Five Volcanoes Lodge, Muhabura Gorilla Lodge, Bisate Lodge, Virunga Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, Kinigi Guesthouse, Mountain Gorilla View, and Gorilla Volcanoes Lodge are among the accommodations available.
