Defy Death and Go Hike Nyiragongo Volcano in Congo
The Nyiragongo volcano and its lava lake was last measured approximately 200m by 300m and are in constant activity, brewed continuously by a powerful degassing. The glow is excellent day and night! From the base camp where hikers may spend two nights, located on the summit crests and directly overlooking the lava lake, the activities involved daily treks, to the west from where it is possible to observe all over its area, and to the East from where one can discover the very rugged relief of its huge crater.
At the foot of Nyiragongo is one of the last animal sanctuaries of the planet, which shelters the famous mountain gorillas. Hikers will meet these anthropoids with the impressive look, but herbivorous and peaceful. The rich and varied ecosystem of the Virunga Park, in which they evolve, includes a very vast whole of 8 000 km², encompassing the Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira massifs, in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the famous Ruwenzori, in Uganda.
Hakuna Matata has organized trips to this exceptional site for quite a while, and it’s always the same pleasure and the same wonder.
This exclusive package involved a very nice climb in a superb setting with a bonus night on the flanks of the volcano. The Nyiragongo volcano is one of eight volcanoes in the Virunga area, located in eastern Congo. Mount Nyiragongo is located 10 km north of Goma, near the border with Rwanda. The Nyiragongo volcano can be seen from everywhere in Goma and the surrounding area.
Making the headlines in 2002 during its eruption and the destruction of Goma that followed. The eruptions of this volcano are very dangerous because the lava is very fluid and goes down the slopes of the volcano quickly.
The eruptions can be large and spectacular; the lava flows can reach tens of kilometers, very quickly. This kind of volcano is particular in the sense that it does not explode. Magma Lake is under the city of Goma, and when the volcano wakes up, lava flows from the crater but also appears from below the ground. There are many rumors about when will be the next eruption, some predicting it for this decade. Leave rumor for the mongers and decide to take a look or embark on the famous Nyiragongo volcano hike.
Setting out from Goma for Kibati, 12 km north, where the camp of the guards is located at the foot of the volcano. Registration is done at the park, pay the entrance fees, and you are set for the climb. Remember to have your bags, tents, and water and food stores.
Walking on dry lava rocks is so original and awesome, with the sight of Goma drifting back into the valley as you ascend. Nature here offers a permanent spectacle, from the rainforest at first, to a cemetery of black trees. The landscape is incredibly poetic.
After some hours of walk, hikers may decide to have a frugal lunch. A step further will reveal the smoking crater from afar. What is offered might appear so unreal: a mixture of red and green vegetation. Red due to volcanic gas and green for plants that start growing again in any environment.
The last part of the climb is the steepest, half an hour quite rough. Now at the top, the views of the crater are sublime. This one, 1.2 km in diameter seems to have no end. There is gas smoke that appears to come from everywhere and from nowhere. Inside the crater, a prehistoric platform, at least 500 meters deep, forming a circle, with a lava lake at the bottom.
Pitch your tent and settle down to view the most incredible view in your lifetime. The guide and the porters will, of course, give a precious hand as may be difficult to see anything in the thick fog and wind. The show becomes more and more majestic. And as night falls, you can observe the magma all the more efficiently, as well as all the cracks of its different layers.
From the top of the volcano, one can observe the whole area and the other volcanoes of the Virunga range that surround, and as well as Goma and Lake Kivu at sunset. By constantly going back and forth to the crater, it is an exceptional experience to admire the lava show.
After a night or two of lava show admiration at the crater, the descent will be easy, in only 3 hours. Arriving at the bottom, one will always savor this moment. A look at the volcano, with a feeling of fullness, happy with this experience.
When someone asks you of what you saw the most beautiful, you will answer without hesitation: the lava falls Nyiragongo! A magnificent lava lake, the largest in the world, is in the crater. The site is grandiose and the show of incredible beauty. You have indeed defied death in the most pleasurable experience at the Nyiragongo Volcano hiking.
