Is Mount Nyiragongo still an active Volcano?

Is Mount Nyiragongo still and active Volcano: Yes, Mount Nyiragongo still an active Volcano. The mountain last erupted in May 2021. The peak is 3,470 meters above sea level and is part of the Virunga Massif’s volcanic ranges. It is located 20 kilometers north of Goma and Lake Kivu. It also has a western border with Rwanda.

Mount Nyiragongo’s major attraction is its lava lake, which is roughly 2 kilometers wide and located in the main crater. The lava lake is 250 meters deep and is filled with liquid lava. This crater lava lake casts a crimson glow across the horizon, producing a stunning sight that most tourists trekking the mountain would want to witness. There are also older crater lakes on the mountain, which are abundant in bird and plant life. These are ideal for scientific research excursions and studies, as well as bird viewing.

Mount Nyiragongo is a stratovolcano, which means it might erupt at any time. The mountain originally erupted in 1977 after the crater walls containing the lava lake ruptured. The whole lava lake emptied in less than 30 minutes, spewing around 5 million cubic meters of lava towards the mountain’s north, south, and west. This eruption wreaked havoc on many people’s homes who lived in close proximity to the mountain. According to reports, the lava flows from Mount Nyiragongo reached Goma in 20 minutes, killing over 300 people, Is Mount Nyiragongo still an active Volcano?.

A volcanic eruption on the mountain in 2002 killed numerous people and destroyed most of Goma. This exposed a large number of Congolese residents in Goma, resulting in a massive refugee catastrophe. However, there have been no eruptions on the peak after the 2002 occurrence. Mount Nyiragongo and Mount Nyamuragira are responsible for 40% of Africa’s historical volcanic eruptions.

About Hiking Mount Nyiragongo in Congo

Hiking Mount Nyiragongo in Congo might be the most incredible experience for any visitor visiting Congo. One of the pleasures of a visit to Virunga National Park is a hiking excursion up the summit. Visitors can incorporate a trip to Nyiragongo Mountain in their Rwanda safari or gorilla trekking safari in the DRC’s Virunga National Park.

Hiking begins at 10 a.m. at the park’s headquarters in Kibati. Visitors trekking Nyiragongo Mountain will be briefed in the same way that tourists participating in any other activity in the park are.

The hike to the peak of Nyiragongo Mountain in Congo takes around 5-6 hours. Hikers are escorted by highly-trained and competent park rangers, as well as potters who will carry your bags for a charge.

Mount Nyiragongo has housing shelters for guests who prefer to spend the night on the summit. The panorama at the lava lake at night is an astounding picture that is difficult to describe. The crimson light produced by boiling molten lava at Crater Lake is not something that visitors see every day. This is why any visitor visiting the Democratic Republic of the Congo should include a trip up Mount Nyiragongo on their bucket list.

Hiking Nyiragongo Mountain takes two days and does not need much physical effort, thus any visitor may accomplish it. However, the altitude on the mountain can be high, so some hikers may feel dizzy, especially if this is your first time trekking.

What to Pack for your hike on Mount Nyiragongo.

Every traveller wishing to trek Nyiragongo Mountain should have the following items:

• Warm clothes and a sturdy pair of hiking boots.
• A raincoat in case of emergency.
• Camera, as well as a waterproof camera bag
• A sleeping bag is required.
• A water container to ensure that you stay hydrated throughout your hike.
• Diamox medicine is available for guests who become ill at high elevations.
• A valid Congo tourist visa.
• Make sure you have a yellow fever vaccination and have your yellow fever card with you at all times. This card is required for all travellers to most African nations.
• Make sure you have a current passport.
• Pack insect repellent in case you are allergic to bugs or mosquitos.

Best Time to Hike Nyiragongo Mountain.

The optimum time for any visitor to trek Nyiragongo Mountain is during the dry season, which runs from June to October and December. However, because Nyiragongo Mountain is located in a tropical rain forest, expect rain at any moment.

Cost of Hiking Mount Nyiragongo.

A trek to Nyiragongo Mountain in Congo costs $326 USD, and if you hire a porter to carry your luggage, you must pay an additional price of USD $15 for bags weighing less than 15kg. Hikers can also pay an additional $100 USD for food, a sleeping bag, and water if they want to spend the night on the mountain.

Where to stay during your hike on Mount Nyiragongo.

The mountain has 12 shelters that provide accommodation for people trekking Nyiragongo Mountain. Each shelter contains a single bed, but climbers should pack extra warm clothes since temperatures on the peak can dip to dangerously low levels.

How to Get to Mount Nyiragongo.

The majority of Mount Nyiragongo safaris begin in Kigali, Rwanda. Travel 163 kilometers to Gisenyi, then 30 minutes to Goma, DRC. Mount Nyiragongo is about 16 kilometers from Goma. If you are a lone traveller, you may rent a car or hire a cab for roughly $20 USD and drive to Mount Nyiragongo in Congo’s Virunga National Park.