Is Mount Nyamuragira an active volcano?
Is Mount Nyamuragira an active volcano? Yes, Mountain Nyamuragira is an active volcano in Virunga national park of eastern DR Congo. Mountain Nyamuragira is an active volcano with an elevation of 3,058 meters above sea level on the north of Lake Kivu. The active volcano is located in the Albertine rift region together with the other 7 Virunga mountains. The other Virunga mountains include Mount Karisimbi, Mount Gahinga, Mount Bisoke, Mount Muhabura, Mount Sabyinyo, Mount Mikeno, and Mount Mount Nyiragongo
Mount Nyamuragira is among the most active volcanoes in the whole world and has erupted over 43 times since 1885. Mountain Nyamuragira is described as Africa’s most active volcano and it has been able to create smaller volcanoes that have been able to last for a short time like Murara from 1976 to 1977.
The two recent eruptions on Mount Nyamuragira occurred in 2010 and 2011. Mountain Nyamuragira eruption of 2010 took place on 2 January when the mountain started spewing out lava flows. People are not allowed to settle around this volcano so no one died in this eruption but so many wild animals died and vegetation was destroyed. People feared that the lava would flow to Virunga national park but this never happened so a lot of animals remained safe.
The last eruption on Mount Nyamuragira happened in 2011 and this was on 5th November. About 400 meters high column of lava was produced and it was said to be the largest eruption in the past years. On 5th November 2011, spewing fountains of lava, ash, and volcanic gas was witnessed at the volcano. The rangers in Virunga national park where this mountain is located were the first to report this news to the world. Residents around the volcano also witnessed this and some were forced to move from their homes to nearby areas as lava flew up to Lake Kivu. Death of animals, destruction of crops and homes was reported.
Hiking Mount Nyamuragira
Hiking Mount Nyamuragira is done with the help of armed ranger guides and porters in case of heavy luggage. The hiking activity starts at the park offices where wardens teach the hikers about the rules and rules of the hiking activity. Those with heavy luggage hire porters and then the armed ranger guides lead the hikers throughout the whole hike.
Hiking to the summit of Mount Nyamuragira takes 5-6 hours of passing through steep slopes and rugged terrain. The hiking activity gives you an opportunity to meet different vegetation covers, birds, and animals such as buffaloes, okapi, monkeys, lions, leopards, mongoose, elephants, lions, giant forest hogs, duikers, and much more.
Getting to the summit is not for the week because the higher you to the more the terrain becomes steeper and therefore you must be physically to make it to the summit. Hiking is very challenging but as soon as you get to the summit, you will have a look at the lava lake, take pictures, and record videos, you will have stunning views of Rwenzori Mountain, Virunga national park, lake Kivu, Virunga volcanoes, and much more. Nights can be spent at the bungalows at the summit and descend is made the next day.
How much are hiking permits for Munt Nyamuragira?
Hiking permits for Mount Nyamuragira do cost $300 per person and the permit works only once. The hiking permits are sold at Virunga national park offices but you should better book them in advance of 3-4 months for better preparation and avoiding inconveniences. Travelers are advised to use local tour operators when booking permits for Mount Nyamuragira.
Africa adventure vacations of one of the local tour operators you can use to book the hiking permit for Nyamuragira. You will just send us an email containing the dates of the month and year you want to travel and using these dates we shall check for availability of the permits with Virunga national park management. Once the permits are available, we shall send you banking details, and when we receive money, your permit will be booked.
What to pack for Mount Nyamuragira hiking?
There is so much to pack for Mountain Nyamuragira hiking but the most important equipment includes waterproof hiking shoes, a pair of gaiters, gardening gloves, long-sleeved pants, long-sleeved shirts, cotton stocks, a rain jacket, scarf, sleeping bag, insect repellent, first aid kit, drinking water bottle, energy-giving snacks, face mask, and sanitizer.
When to hike Mount Nyamuragira?
Munt Nyamuragira can be hiked at any time of the year but there are months that are better than the rest and these are the dry months. Hikers should try out Mountain Nyamuragira in the dry season of June to September and December to February when there is little or no rainfall. During the dry season hikers will hike Munt Nyamuragira and stay clean, the vegetation is short with clear views of the park animals and the roads leading to the park are passable.
Mount Nyamuragira in Virunga national park can still be hiked in the rainy seasons and this favors budget travelers because accommodation facilities give out huge discounts and other park activities are cheap. Travelers should however know that during the months of October to November and March to May there is plenty of rainfall and this makes the hiking trails very slippery, the vegetation is thick and wet with unclear views of the park animals, the summit is full of fog which makes unclear views of the surrounding areas and the roads leading to the park are impassable.
Accommodation during Mount Nyamuragira hike
Mount Nyamuragira is located within Virunga national park and the hikers can use accommodation facilities for this park before or after the hiking activity. These accommodation facilities are Lulimbi Tented Camp, Nyiragongo Volcano Summit Shelters, Bukima Tented Camp, Mikeno Lodge, Tchegera Island, and Kibumba Tented Camp. Hikers that want to have a night at the summit of Nyamuragira can use the bungalows at the summit.
Getting to Mount Nyamuragira
Mountain Nyamuragira can be accessed using road transport from Rwanda and Uganda. Those in Uganda will have to drive to Kisoro and cross to Virunga national park using Bunagana birder while those in Kigali will have to cross to Virunga national park by driving to Gisenyi and crossing to DR Congo using Goma border.
Luxury travelers can fly direct from Jomo Kenyatta airstrip to Goma international airport using Jambo jets. The flight takes only 2 hours and on reaching the airport you will be welcomed by the drivers of Virunga national park to transfer you to the volcano or booked accommodation.
