Holiday Ideas in June: Baby gorilla naming ceremony ("Kwita Izina"), Rwanda

Rwanda has more than twice the number of habituated mountain gorilla groups than Uganda, and each year newborns are given new names in a local ceremony called "Kwita Izina". Luckily, tourists are also welcome.

Male silverback gorilla, Volcanoes National ParkGorilla eating a nettleSilverback in the Volcanoes National Park

There are currently seven main groups that can be tracked: the Susa, Sabinyo, Amahoro, Umubano, Hirwa, Kwitonda and Group Thirteen. When the annual gorilla naming ceremony, called "Kwita Izina" takes place, usually the president or high-up politicians from Rwanda, as well as all of the park rangers attend - and tourists are also welcome. They choose names for all of the new baby gorillas which have been born since the previous naming ceremony.

Further information relating to Baby gorilla naming ceremony ("Kwita Izina"), Rwanda

Gorilla Tracking

Gorilla Tracking Mountain gorilla tracking is one of Africa's most superb wildlife experiences. It is difficult to describe the exhilaration attached to fist setting eyes on a wild mountain gorilla.

Read more