More than 20 people set off from Rwanda’s capital on Wednesday on a two-day walk to Musanze to promote gorilla conservation, tourism and healthy living ahead of the country’s annual gorilla naming ceremony.
Led by fitness enthusiast Rosine Bazongere, the group departed from the Kigali City offices and is expected to reach Musanze on Thursday before travelling to Kinigi for Friday’s Kwita Izina ceremony, where newly born mountain gorillas are given names.
The walkers will spend their first night at Nyirangarama before continuing to Musanze the following day.
“We will spend two days on the journey. Today we will spend the night at Nyirangarama, and tomorrow, Sept. 3, we will spend the night in Musanze,” Bazongere said before the group left Kigali.
Bazongere organised the initiative, known as “Imbaraga Gorilla Walk 2026”, as part of her wider involvement in fitness activities and walking campaigns promoting various causes.
She said the walk was intended to use sport to raise awareness about environmental protection and Rwanda’s natural heritage.
“The goal is not simply to walk, but to use our journey to promote healthy living, develop tourism in Rwanda and encourage people to play a role in protecting our natural heritage,” she said.
The initiative combines physical activity with conservation and tourism, with organisers calling for greater public involvement in protecting mountain gorillas and other wildlife.
Kwita Izina, held annually in Kinigi, is a major event in Rwanda’s conservation calendar and highlights efforts to protect mountain gorillas while supporting tourism and community participation.
