This year’s gorilla naming ceremony, commonly known as Kwita Izina, will comprise a fundraising gala dinner to raise funds for three very special conservation projects.

These are the Mountain Gorilla Skeletal Project, Imisambi Sanctuary for Grey Crowned Cranes and a Community Eco-Lodge on the outskirts of Akagera National Park.

According to the organisers, the objective of focusing on these projects is to have sustainable spaces for generations to preserve and learn about the once endangered species and the communities to become self-reliant. These conservation projects cut across the different aspects of Rwanda’s biodiversity.

The fundraising gala dinner, to be held at the iconic Kigali Convention Centre on August 26, is the launch event for Kwita Izina and will be a glittering black-tie affair open for all to attend and contribute to conservation.

The fundraising gala provides a fun and perfect opportunity for more people to have their names etched onto "this noble cause.”

The 12th Kwita Izina edition is set to be yet another exciting and memorable week of events bringing together leading global authorities on conservation, nature enthusiasts from around the world, high profile personalities and media, all aimed at achieving the core concerns of conservation and sustainable tourism.

This year, 22 baby mountain gorillas will be named in Kinigi, Musanze near the home of these once endangered species. It will be attended by a cross section of esteemed people in the tourism and conservation world under the theme, "United in driving economic growth through conservation.”

Kwita Izina is a uniquely Rwandan flagship event that celebrates the country’s outstanding conservation efforts.