Mount Nyamuragira in Virunga national park
Mount Nyamuragira is one of the most active volcanoes in the world having last erupted in 2011. Mountain Nyamuragira is one of the 8 Virunga mountains located in Virunga national park on the eastern side of DR Congo that protects endangered mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. Mountain Nyamuragira has erupted more than 35 times with the recent eruption that occurred in November 2011.
Hiking mount Nyamuragira is a dream come true for most hikers since it’s one of the most active volcanoes in the entire world. The mountain is the shortest of all the Virunga mountains with an elevation of meters 3,058. Other Virunga mountains include Mount Karisimbi shared by Rwanda and DR Congo, Mount Mikeno in DR Congo, Mount Muhabura located between Rwanda and Uganda, Mount Bisoke located between Rwanda and DR Congo, Mount Sabyinyo shared by Rwanda, Uganda, and DR Congo, Mount Gahinga shared by Rwanda and Uganda and then Mount Nyiragongo in DRC.
To hike mount Nyamuragira, you need to have a hiking permit and this can be booked using Africa Adventure Vacations. All you have to do is send us an email containing the dates you want to hike or travel and using these dates, we shall check for availability of the permits with those in charge of the mountain. When the permits are available on that day, we shall send you an email containing bank details where you can send money and once we have received it, we shall go ahead and book the permits for you.
The eruption of Mount Nyamuragira in the past years has attracted so many tourists to DR Congo and most of them who come combine the activity with activities in Virunga national park such as gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, birding, nature walks, and much more.
Mount Nyamuragira can be reached from Kigali when you use Goma border. The mountain is located just 25 km north of Lake Kivu and 13kms north west of Mount Nyiragongo another active volcano in Virunga national park. Hiking Mount Nyamuragira can be done at any time of the year but the best time is the dry season (June to September and December to February)
Hiking Mount Nyamuragira
Hiking Mountain Nyamuragira starts early in the morning with the hikers gathering at the park offices where they meet the park wardens to teach them about the rules and regulations of the hiking activity. After the briefing, the hikers are given armed ranger guides to lead them throughout as they tell them different information about the park and the mountain at the same time protecting them from dangerous wild animals.
The hikers with excess luggage can hike porters at a fee from the begging point of the hike and those who want to get hiking sticks can pick them up. Hiking Mount Nyamuragira to the summit takes 5-6 hours for the mountain is 3,058 meters above sea level. During the time taken hiking, the hikers do meet different animals on the slopes and these include lions, gorillas, buffaloes, okapis, chimpanzees, topis, warthogs, birds, and different vegetation covers.
During the hike, the hikers do get rest to see the surrounding places, have drinking water, and energy-giving snacks, and then continue with the journey to the summit. Once hikers have reached the summit, they have an aerial view of the surrounding areas such as Virunga volcanoes, lava lakes, lakes, rivers, Goma city, Virunga national park, vegetation, plantations, and surrounding homesteads among others.
After enjoying the summit of Mountain Nyamuragira, those that want to have an overnight stay at the mountain can use the bungalows that are constructed on the lava rock walls at a fee of $300 per person. Hikers that want to camp at the summit of Mount Nyamuragira are advised to hire a chef and also cone with their camping gear. After enjoying the summit of Mount Nyamuragira, hikers join their group and start on the journey to the starting point where they meet drivers to transfer them to the starting points.
How much is a hiking permit for Mount Nyamuragira?
Hikers intending to visit DR Congo for Mount Nyamuragira hiking need to know that hiking is done at a fee. Hiking permits for Mount Nyamuragira do costs $300 and they are purchased at the park offices or from a trusted local tour operator at the same price.
Things to pack for Mount Nyamuragira hike
There are things you need to pack for Mountain Nyamuragira hike in order to have the best and most amazing hiking safari in DR Congo. These include waterproof hiking shoes, long pants, long-sleeved shirts, a rain jacket, sleeping bag, hat, sunscreen, a hat, insect repellents, a pair of binoculars, a camera, torch, drinking water bottle, energy-giving snacks, face mask, and sanitizer.
What is the best time to visit Mount Nyamuragira?
Mount Nyamuragira can be visited at any time of the year but there are months that are better than the rest. The drier months are the best for hiking Mount Nyamuragira and these occur in June to September and December to February. The dry months are the best for hiking Mount Nyamuragira because they are characterized by little or no rainfall which makes the hiking trails less slippery, the vegetation along the trails is short giving clear views of the animals, and the roads leading to the area are passable.
Hikers can still visit Mount Nyamuragira in the rainy season of March to May and October to November to enjoy huge discounts on the permits and the accommodation facilities. However during the rainy seasons, there is plenty of rainfall that makes the trekking trails muddy and slippery, the vegetation is tall giving unclear views of animals along the trails, and the roads leading to the area are impassable.
Where to stay on a hike on Mount Nyamuragira?
Travelers intending to hike Mountain Nyamuragira don’t have to worry about where they will stay because they can stay at any of the lodges in Virunga national park. The accommodation facilities to use do range from budget to mid-range to luxury options and they do include Lulimbi Tented Camp, Bukima Tented Camp, Mikeno Lodge, Tchegera Island, Kikumba Tented Camp, and much more.
