Mount Nyiragongo hike
Mount Nyiragongo hike- Climbing mountain Nyiragongo is every hiker’s dream come true because the mountain is the most active volcano in the whole world. The mountain also has the largest lava lake found at the summit said to be 2km wide and 250 meters deep with a liquid lava pool. Hiking Mountain Nyiragongo takes you to Virunga national park home of mountain gorillas because it’s located right inside the national park.
Mount Nyiragongo hike gives you an opportunity to hike the most active volcano in the world having last erupted in May 2021. Mount Nyiragongo has an elevation of 3470m making it the 7th highest Virunga mountains. Other mountains in Virunga national park include Mount Karisimbi, Mount Mikeno, Mount Nyamuragira, Mount Gahinga, Mount Sabyinyo, Mount Bisoke, Mount Muhabura and Mount Sabyinyo.
Mount Nyiragongo hike requires one to book a hiking permit from Virunga national park or a trusted local tour operator. Hikers are advised to book the hiking permits in advance to avoid last-minute booking disappointments and proper planning. Hiking Nyiragongo requires one to be physically fit because it’s a bit challenging but rewarding at the summit. Hiking to the summit takes 6-7 hours with 2 stopovers of resting and refreshing.
Where is Mount Nyiragongo located?
Mount Nyiragongo is located in DR Congo’s Virunga national park found in the eastern part of the country. The volcano is located a few km north of Goma city near Congo and Rwanda. The mountain is located in Virunga national park a place famous for harboring endangered mountain gorillas and chimpanzees in DR Congo.
How to get to Mount Nyiragongo?
Since the DR Congo border is closed, travelers who want to hike Mount Nyiragongo can fly to Kigali international park. From Kigali, travelers can fly to Gisenyi airstrip or drive to Gisenyi town where they will continue to the border of Goma and cross to DR Congo. From Goma, you will be handed over to the authorities of Virunga national park who will transfer you to the mountain or lodge.
Hiking Mount Nyiragongo
Mount Nyiragongo hike starts very early in the morning with hikers moving to the park offices where they meet park wardens to take them through the briefing. During the briefing, the hikers are taught about the rules and regulations of the hiking activity and armed ranger guides lead them throughout the hike.
Hiking takes 6-7 hours of passing through different vegetation covers, meeting different park animals such as lions, buffaloes, mountain gorillas, okapis, hippos, warthogs, pelicans, and birds such as double-toothed barbet, Rwenzori turaco, Rwenzori, and stripe breasted tit. Before reaching the summit of Nyiragongo, there are different points where hikers rest and have an amazing view of the surround and where they have come from.
When the hikers finally reach the summit of mount Nyiragongo, they are able to relax, have a stunning view of the lava lake which is the largest in the world. They will also have beautiful views of the surrounding places such as Kahuzi Biega national park, volcanoes national park, Lake Kivu, plantations, homesteads, Virunga volcanoes, and mountain Rwenzori.
After enjoying the summit, you will move to the cabins at the summit where you will have an evening relaxing, dinner, and an overnight stay. The summit of Nyiragongo is very cold, so it’s better you move along with a sleeping bag, and warm clothes. In the morning, you will wake up to morning breakfast, and have another view of the surrounding areas before descending the mountain with your group.
Where to stay during Mount Nyiragongo hike?
Mount Nyiragongo hike takes 2 days to get to the summit and come back. On the first day, hikers spend their night at the summit cabins. There are 12 cabins at the summit of Nyiragongo and they do accommodate over 24 people. Before or after hiking Mount Nyiragongo, hikers can use Lulimbi Tented Camp, Nyiragongo Volcano Summit Shelters, Bukima Tented Camp, Mikeno Lodge, Tchegera Island, Kikumba Tented Camp, and much more
How much is hiking Mount Nyiragongo?
All travelers intending to hike Mount Nyiragongo should know that taking part in the activity requires one to have a hiking permit which is got from Virunga national park offices or through a trusted tour operator at the same price. A permit for Mount Nyiragongo hike costs $300 per person per hike.
What to pack for Mount Nyiragongo hike?
The packing list for Nyiragongo hike includes 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 hike Nyiragongo?
Hiking mount Nyiragongo can be done 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 Nyiragongo and they occur from June to September and January to February. During the dry months, the hiking trails are less slippery, the vegetation along the hiking trails is short giving clear views of the park animals, and the roads leading to the park are passable.
Mountain Nyiragongo hike can still be done in the rainy season of March to May and October to November. However, during these months, there is plenty of rainfall which makes the trekking trails muddy and slippery, the vegetation along the hiking trails is tall with unclear views of the park animals and the roads leading to the mountain are slippery.
