APA – Kigali (Rwanda) The 2023 “Kwita Izina” or gorilla naming ceremony is set to take place on 1st September in Kinigi village, northern Rwanda.
It will see 23 baby mountain gorillas born in the last 12 months named, an official source confirmed to APA Tuesday in Kigali.
According to Rwanda Development Board (RDB), this year’s edition will ensure a safe return to the foothills of Volcanoes National Park, joining the communities living around the home of the endangered mountain gorillas in the ultimate celebration of nature and conservation.
Initiated in 2005, the programme aims to guide investment in the areas surrounding the various national parks in Rwanda by ensuring that 10 percent of all park revenues is returned to the communities.
374 baby gorillas have been named since the start of the naming ceremony in 2005.
This year’s namers will include notable partners, conservationists, international celebrities, dignitaries and friends of Rwanda.
Official estimates show that despite a very challenging period during the Covid pandemic, inbound tourism to Rwanda has been showing a promising return. Revenues increased by 25% from US$ 131 million in 2020 to US$ 164 million in 2021 with Rwanda welcoming over 512,000 international visitors last year.
CU/as/APA