Home » RWANDA TRAVEL NEWS » Kwita Izina Ceremony: How Gorilla Naming Tradition Is Driving Tourism Growth And Conservation In Musanze District, Rwanda Published on
September 6, 2025Musanze District, located at the foothills of the Virunga Massif, has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past two decades. Once defined largely as an agricultural zone, the district has steadily evolved into a leading centre of conservation-driven development. This change has been anchored by the celebrated Kwita Izina gorilla naming ceremony, a tradition that began in 2005 and continues to symbolize Rwanda’s deep commitment to protecting its endangered mountain gorillas.Since the first ceremony, nearly 400 infant gorillas have been given names, each representing a renewed pledge to conservation. The success of these efforts is clear: the population of mountain gorillas has grown from 880 in 2012 to more than 1,063 today, reversing what once seemed like an inevitable decline.Advertisement Gorilla Tourism as a Catalyst for DevelopmentThe growth of gorilla tourism has become one of Rwanda’s most significant success stories. Permits for gorilla trekking, which cost up to $1,500, generate a substantial share of the nation’s tourism revenue. This funding extends well beyond conservation, reaching local communities through a national revenue-sharing scheme where 10 percent of park revenues are reinvested in schools, health facilities, clean water projects, and roads.Musanze, now home to over 230,000 residents, has grown into a bustling urban centre. High-rise buildings mark its skyline, while upgraded roads and public facilities signal purposeful progress. A €91 million hospital expansion is underway, further enhancing public health infrastructure and underscoring the district’s rapid rise as a modern hub.Advertisement The Volcanoes Community Resilience ProjectFuture plans are equally ambitious. The Volcanoes Community Resilience Project (2023–2028) has been designed to expand Volcanoes National Park by 23 percent, boost the gorilla population by up to 20 percent, mitigate human-wildlife conflict, and create approximately 17,000 jobs. This programme cements Musanze’s reputation as a model for conservation-led development across Africa.Empowering Communities Through CooperativesThe human side of Musanze’s transformation is most visible in its thriving cooperatives. These community groups empower individuals, particularly women, to build sustainable livelihoods linked to tourism.Advertisement At the centre led by Emmanuel Ndayambaje, 13 groups produce a wide range of crafts and tourist items, from carved walking sticks to handwoven textiles. Roughly 75 artisans have benefited, many of whom were previously unable to access stable markets. Their products, some selling for as much as Rwf150,000, now support school fees, improved nutrition, and home upgrades.For women like Nadine Nyiraneza, who joined her cooperative seven years ago, the income earned has transformed family life. Education costs are now covered, daily needs are met, and the sense of economic independence has grown. Similarly, Claudine Mukeshimana credi …
