Kwita Izina
Join the renowned Gorilla Naming Ceremony on the final day, before the festival returns to Base Camp to close the 14th Edition.
Fourteenth Edition · Musanze, Rwanda
Red Rocks
Cultural Festival
28 August — 4 September 2026
Red Rocks Base Camp · Musanze
–Days
–Hours
–Minutes
–Seconds
14Edition
8Days of dialogue
24Sessions
13Previous editions
The 2026 Theme
Connecting Community Voices for Sustainable Tourism, Culture & Conservation through Dialogue
For eight days at the foot of the Virunga volcanoes, Musanze becomes a round table. Village elders sit with tourism developers. Conservation funders sit with the farmers who live beside the gorillas. Researchers present, and the community answers back.
The Red Rocks Cultural Festival is not a show staged for visitors — it is a working conversation about who owns heritage, how tourism revenue reaches the households that protect the forest, and what the next generation intends to do about both.
28 August – 4 September 2026
The Programme
Every day follows the same rhythm: dialogue in the morning, hands-on work in the afternoon, and culture after four o'clock. Choose a day below.
Day 01 — Fri 28 Aug 2026
Opening Ceremony & Festival Launch
- 11:00 – 13:00Morning
Official opening remarks from the Red Rocks Initiative team, local leaders and park authorities, followed by an introduction to the 2026 festival theme.
- 14:00 – 16:00Afternoon
Stakeholder meet-and-greet — a welcome networking mixer bringing together international visitors, conservation funders and grassroots community leaders.
- 16:00 →Twihiziwe
Launch of the evening cultural programme: traditional welcoming dances and drumming at the Base Camp.
Day 02 — Sat 29 Aug 2026
Heritage Debates & Cultural Ownership
- 11:00 – 13:00Morning
A moderated panel examining who owns heritage in a globalised tourism economy, and how indigenous practice is preserved without becoming commodity.
- 14:00 – 16:00Afternoon
Cross-generational dialogue. Village elders and tourism developers debate the balance between modernisation and cultural continuity.
- 16:00 →Twihiziwe
Oral storytelling sessions by community elders, accompanied by traditional music.
Day 03 — Sun 30 Aug 2026
Nature, Conservation & Community Tourism
- 11:00 – 13:00Morning
The economics of gorilla conservation, and how community-based tourism directly alleviates poverty in the Virunga ecosystem.
- 14:00 – 16:00Afternoon
Networking track for conservation NGOs, park authorities and community representatives co-designing environmental strategy.
- 16:00 →Twihiziwe
Traditional songs and dances dedicated to Rwandan wildlife and conservation heritage.
Day 04 — Mon 31 Aug 2026
Igisoro & Traditional Games
- 11:00 – 13:00Morning
Rwanda’s ancient strategy board game Igisoro and other traditional games — their potential for modern education and cultural tourism.
- 14:00 – 16:00Afternoon
Live Igisoro tournament open to all attendees, pairing international travellers and researchers with local masters.
- 16:00 →Twihiziwe
Traditional victory songs and dances inspired by the afternoon’s tournament.
Day 05 — Tue 1 Sep 2026
Traditional Instruments & Economy
- 11:00 – 13:00Morning
An interactive session on the Inanga, Ingoma and Umuduri — and how these instruments sustain community economies through craft and performance.
- 14:00 – 16:00Afternoon
Hands-on artisan workshops: international guests and instrument makers collaborate on building and tuning traditional instruments.
- 16:00 →Twihiziwe
Masterclass performances on the Inanga, Ingoma and Umuduri by accomplished local artisans.
Day 06 — Wed 2 Sep 2026
Youth Innovation & Talent Showcase
- 11:00 – 13:00Morning
Pitch-stage preparation for youth innovators from surrounding villages with fresh ideas in sustainable tourism and cultural storytelling.
- 14:00 – 16:00Afternoon
Youth Talent Show. Young participants pitch their projects to hospitality businesses, tour operators and development funders.
- 16:00 →Twihiziwe
A youth-led contemporary and traditional fusion music and dance showcase.
Day 07 — Thu 3 Sep 2026
Research, Policy & Action Forums
- 11:00 – 13:00Morning
Researchers, policymakers and government representatives present findings; community members respond with grassroots realities.
- 14:00 – 16:00Afternoon
Roundtable strategic planning consolidating the week’s dialogues into actionable policy recommendations for sustainable eco-tourism.
- 16:00 →Twihiziwe
A community celebration dance honouring the collaborative spirit and achievements of the week.
Day 08 — Fri 4 Sep 2026
Closing Ceremony & Crazy Night of the Gorillas
- 08:00 – 17:00Full day
Participants attend the renowned Kwita Izina Gorilla Naming Ceremony before returning to Red Rocks Base Camp.
- 14:00 – 16:00Afternoon
Official closing of the 14th Edition, with awards and appreciation for sponsors, partners, artists, volunteers and community groups.
- 16:00 →Twataramye
Crazy Night of the Gorillas — cultural performances, live music, traditional dance and DJ sets into the night.
Full programme details available on request — contact us for the printable schedule.
Every single day
The daily rhythm
11:00
Morning · Dialogue
A moderated session on the day's theme, opened to the floor. Panels, debates and knowledge exchange between community members, researchers and policymakers.
14:00
Afternoon · Work
Hands-on workshops, tournaments, pitch sessions and networking tracks — where the morning's talk becomes something you can hold or act on.
16:00
Evening · Twihiziwe
The cultural programme at Base Camp: drumming, dance, oral storytelling and masterclass performances, running into the night.
Not to be missed
Festival highlights
Heritage Debates
Who owns heritage in a globalised tourism economy? Elders, developers and researchers argue it out in the open.
Igisoro Tournament
Rwanda’s ancient strategy board game, played live — international travellers paired with local masters.
Vessels of History
Inanga, Ingoma and Umuduri: build them, tune them, then hear them played by the artisans who make them.
Youth Talent Showcase
Young innovators from surrounding villages pitch to hospitality businesses, tour operators and funders.
Crazy Night of the Gorillas
Red Rocks Twataramye — the closing celebration. Cultural performances, live music, traditional dance and DJ sets.
Thirteen editions of it
In their own words
The festival has run every year since its first edition, hosted by the community it belongs to.
“This festival is where our grandchildren learn that the forest is not just trees — it is memory, it is livelihood, it is future.”
“I came expecting a conference. I found a conversation — one that changed how I think about responsible travel entirely.”
“My pitch at the youth showcase led to a partnership with a tour operator. That single afternoon changed my career.”
Hosted and supported by
Rwanda Development Board
Volcanoes National Park
Musanze District
Red Rocks Rwanda
Amahoro Tours
Your Organisation
Practical information
Getting there
Musanze sits about two hours north of Kigali by road, at the gateway to Volcanoes National Park. The festival is hosted at Red Rocks Base Camp.
- DatesFriday 28 August – Friday 4 September 2026
- VenueRed Rocks Base Camp, Musanze, Northern Province, Rwanda
- Daily times11:00–13:00 · 14:00–16:00 · 16:00 onwards
- Final day08:00–17:00, including the Kwita Izina Gorilla Naming Ceremony
- AdmissionCommunity sessions are free and open to all. Register so we can plan seating, catering and translation.
- HostRed Rocks Initiative for Sustainable Development
Kigali International Airport → Musanze by road.
Open in Google Maps
Register your place
Tell us who's coming and which days you'll join. We'll send the detailed schedule and travel notes closer to the time.