Guide to hiking Mount Nyiragongo Volcano in Congo
Experience Congo Hiking Safaris & Gorilla Trekking in Virunga
Mount Nyiragongo is an active volcanic mountain with an elevation of 3,470 meters. The volcano is situated in the heart of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, within Virunga National Park. This stratovolcano is home to the world’s largest and most fluid lava lake, offering a primal experience that few travelers on earth will ever witness.
There has been little scientific monitoring of this mountain due to the unfavorable political environment in the Democratic Republic of Congo for a long time. In recent times, the volcano has erupted twice, resulting in devastating effects on the surrounding population.
Mount Nyiragongo’s lava lake is about 600 meters deep, with the most fluid lava in the world. Lava from an erupting volcano is not usually so dangerous because it flows at a slow rate of about 1 to 10km/hr, so when an eruption occurs, residents have a chance to escape; however, the lava in Mount Nyiragongo is completely different because it is highly fluid and flows at a speed of about 97km/hr. Read more about Mount Nyiragono’s lava lake.
In early 1997, an eruption occurred, and within just 30 minutes, the entire lava lake had been drained. The unpredictable nature of the Nyiragongo volcano is the reason why further study is needed to mitigate its unpredictability. There were about 5 million cubic meters of lava to the north, south, and west of the mountain, and about 300 people were killed. Within just 20 minutes of the eruption, the lava had already reached the nearby town of Goma, according to eyewitnesses.
Mount Nyiragongo is situated within the great East African Rift Valley and is among the Virunga Volcano Massif. It lies in the Congo, close to the border with Rwanda (Goma – Gisenyi Border). Mount Nyiragongo is in Virunga National Park and is one of Africa's most active volcanoes. Most recent eruptions recorded: 1884, 1894, 1898, 1899, 1900, 1977, 1982, 1996, 2002, 2010, and 2021. Read more about Mount Nyiragono’s recent eruptions.
Mount Baratu and Mount Shaheru are the nearest of the other volcanic mountains to Nyiragongo, each with visible signs of past volcanic eruptions. Cinder cones, dried volcanic rocks, empty craters, steep-sided summits, and other volcanic land features spread in all corners of the larger Virunga volcanic massif and need no interpretation. Mount Nyiragongo has erupted 34 times since 1882, and sometimes the lava flows long distances at high speed, destroying anything standing in its way. Such was the 2010 eruption that claimed more than 100 human lives, destroyed wildlife, livestock, and to the lakeside town of Goma in ruins with high refugee statistics.
Discover Mount Nyiragongo Volcano
Hiking Safaris
Packing List
Accommodation
Tour Operators
Travel Information
Nyiragongo Permits
Combine Your Volcano Trek with a Congo Safari.
For travellers on a Congo safari, hiking Mount Nyiragongo should be among the bucket list of things to do. This Nyiragongo mountain hiking thrill is a journey through five distinct vegetation zones, from lush tropical forests to stark, volcanic landscapes, and can be integrated with already amazing Congo tour activities such as gorilla trekking in Virunga national park, eastern lowland gorilla trekking in Kahuzi biega national park in Bukavu district, chimpanzee trekking, among many other safari activities.
What to Expect on Your Nyiragongo Hiking Safari.
The trek begins at the Kibati Ranger Post (1,870m) and takes approximately 4–6 hours to reach the summit. For travelers taking a one-night hiking safari to the summit of Mount Nyiragongo, get outstanding, thrilling once in a lifetime experiences. Under the cover of darkness in the night, the hikers clearly observe the red-hot bubbling of the lava lake underneath the earth's crust, and the gushing red smoke paints the sky a galaxy of colors. Not many people on earth get this physical experience. The hikers with pre-booked hiking permits assemble at Kibati Ranger Post, approximately 30 minutes drive from Goma town, after sunrise. The rangers cross-check the hiking permits, brief hikers on the Mount Nyiragongo hiking regulations, share their everyday hiking experiences, and give a brief orientation about the entire hiking safari.
Shortly, an entourage that includes armed guards, porters, guides, and the visiting hikers set out on an expedition into the mountains. Note the elevation is high, terrain may be rough, it rains at any time, and though the hike is not necessarily so tiresome but hikers need some degree of physical fitness. The hike to the summit takes 4-6 hours on average, and the beauty of the adventure on Mount Nyiragongo surrounds hikers from all corners. Discover more about Mount Nyiragongo hiking safaris.
Preparations and Packing List.
A successful Mount Nyiragongo hiking tour in Congo requires the right preparation due to the high altitude and unpredictable weather at the summit; therefore, travelers must come prepared for the rain and freezing night temperatures.
Travelers are required to book and confirm the Mount Nyiragongo hiking permit in advance through registered travel agencies. The hiking permit stipulates the names of hikers, the exact date of the hike, and ensures space for accommodation at the summit for the night. Visitors are encouraged to invest some amount of time to exercise and get their bodies into the right shape before traveling to minimize the odds of exhaustion and less excitement on the safari. The right dressing and appropriate kit, in many instances, determine the success rate of any wilderness safari. Endeavor to obtain essential gear for the hike:
1. Hiking Permits: Must be pre-booked via a registered travel agency.
2. Updated identification documents.
3. Sturdy Hiking Boots: Essential for navigating sharp volcanic rocks and slippery terrain.
4. Waterproof Rain Gear: A high-quality poncho or rain jacket is a must.
5. Warm Layers: Sweaters, thermals, and jackets for the sub-zero summit temperatures.
6. A walking stick is necessary to balance on uneven rocks and slippery ground.
7. Charged camera batteries.
8. Porters & Guides: We highly recommend hiring a porter at the trailhead to assist with bags and support local communities.
Is it Safe to hike Nyiragongo?
Mount Nyiragongo is one of Africa’s most active volcanoes (with notable eruptions in 2002 and 2021), and it is also one of the most closely monitored. Travel agencies work directly with Virunga National Park rangers and local experts to ensure every trek is conducted with maximum safety. Read more about safety in Mount Nyiragongo.
Nyiragongo Hiking Tips.
Health status: Any able-bodied person can hike to Mount Nyiragongo, though some degrees of body fitness are required to make successful hiking expeditions. There are reduced amounts of oxygen at high altitudes that affect human breathing. The hiking expedition to Mount Nyiragongo is reserved for healthy individuals above 12 years of age with no previous heart complications. It is a high risk for individuals with heart problems to conceal this vital health information to partake in the hiking expeditions. It is advisable to emphasize an energy-giving diet a few months before the date of travel. Consume a lot of fruits, drink juice and liquids with less alcoholic content to keep the body in good hydrated form.
While at the rim of the lava lake, be extra cautious and keep a safe distance as you watch the volcanic eruptions in the night. The rocks are slippery, and the surface is rough. This combination with poor respiration due to high altitude, visibility due to darkness of the night, and excessive exhaustion, increases the risks of staggering and tripping over.
Hiking time: The travel agency will make sure you travel and assemble at Kabita Tourism Ranger Post in the Virunga National Park before 9:00 am on the day of hiking. Acclimatize to weather and environmental conditions, as your travel agency reconfirms your hiking permit and gets your bio data registered for the hike. Meet and greet the hiking expedition team, rangers will brief you about personal safety precautions, and share the wilderness experiences. The hiking expedition entourage sets out at 10:00 am or thereabout about and soon it will be the wilderness surrounding you on all fronts.
Accommodation: There are 12 chalets close to the rim of the lava lake at the summit of Mount Nyiragongo with magnificent views of the wilderness and the world beyond. Each chalet is equipped with 2 single beds on which hikers lay their sleeping bags. With the extreme adrenaline-generating excitement of a successful hike to this summit of Mount Nyiragongo, this one-night basic accommodation in the chalets with nature and wilderness surrounding you from all corners may seem luxurious to many hikers.
Porters are very necessary for the success of the Mount Nyiragongo hiking expedition. Each hiking expedition must carry its own food rations, drinking water, sleeping gear, cameras, basic personal items, and all hiking expedition gear. These items are often heavy and bulky. Factor in climbing the challenging, steep volcanic mountain with slippery rocks, where rain powers from nowhere at any time without warning. Sometimes, hikers may find it very difficult to walk through some spots without an external helping hand. Besides carrying heavy luggage on their head, the experiences of porters become a necessity, and they are always willing to extend that helping hand.
Note: guides, ranger escorts, and porters work as a team to make sure the Mount Nyiragongo hiking is successful. Every day, they go through natural hardships: rough terrain, harsh weather, hot rocks, sharp rocks, thorny bushes, and they are a vital component to the conservation of Mount Nyiragongo. Listening to them as they narrate their previous experiences makes the hiking expedition extremely exciting. Please reserve a tip in appreciation of their services.
Personal belongings: Mount Nyiragongo hiking is often a one-night expedition, so ensure to pack only the personal necessities. This saves on the volume, weight of luggage to carry to the summit and reduces the number of porters you hire to carry it. Be extra cautious with your luggage and valuables because hiking members are from different backgrounds, share the same utilities like eating area, washrooms, and chalets are close to each other. Watch your steps while gazing at the volcano in the night carefully. Keep a safe distance because of slippery rocks, rough surfaces, which may lead to stumbling and tripping over.
Accommodation in and around Mount Nyiragongo.
Mount Nyiragongo is situated in Virunga National Park, and after your trek, relax in some of the most stunning eco-lodges in Central Africa, ranging from luxury lodges to summit Shelters. Accommodation facilities in and around Mount Nyiragongo include Mikeno Lodge, Lulimbi Tented Camp, Ihusi Hotel, La Kivu Lodge, Kibumba Tented Camp, Bukima Tented Camp, and Nyiragongo Summit Camping. Read more about the accommodation options in Mount Nyiragongo.
