Mount Nyamuragira

Mount Nyamuragira is one of the active volcanoes among the Virunga volcanoes. It is found in the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It about 20 km from Lake Kivu. It is also a few kilometers from mountain Nyiragongo which killed a lot of people in Goma when it erupted in 2002. It covers an area of close to 1500km2.

Since 1885, this mountain has erupted over 40 times the last one being 2001 and Jan 2010. These eruptions have formed smaller cone-like structures which may later become mountains.

This mountain almost has an eruption every two years with lava flows that are large. This volcano has a high deadly effect on the people around and the environment at large. This mountain is studied and monitored and this reduces on the risk and makes it safe for people to visit and more so hike it.

There has been serious volcanic activity shown by satellite images of recent and there has been lava seen at the summit in 2014 and 2016.

Nyamulagira volcano erupted on November 6th, 2011, and two months later the eruption continues. However, the first eruption died but a second started immediately to the right. Groups of 8 or more are allowed to go on the trek.

When you are planning a safari to this mountain, it is only advisable that you contact a tour operator since they are more informed about the situation at the mountain as it happens. This mountain and the areas around it are under government control but you still need to be cautious about your security and this is where the knowledge of the locals is needed since they know which sectors are reachable and which areas are under threat.

The Nyamuragira Volcano is one of the eight Virunga Volcanoes that are shared between Uganda, Rwanda and DRC. This mountain will give a peek into most of the other seven and the mountain gorillas will be the major highlight.