Mount Nyiragongo permits
Nyiragongo volcano hiking permits are identifications in form of cards that are offered by Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature to allow travelers to access Virunga national park and hike Mount Nyiragongo. Nyiragongo is the most active volcano in the world found inside Virunga national park in DR Congo. Mountain Nyiragongo last erupted in May 2021 and this caused destruction of vegetation, displacement of people, and some animals were killed.
Mountain Nyiragongo has erupted 35 times making it the most active volcano in the world. The mountain has the largest lava lake in the world found at the summit of the volcano. Hiking mount Nyiragongo is done by people above the age of 15 years old and the hiking activity takes 5-6 hours.
To hike Mount Nyiragongo, you need 2-3 days because the night is spent at the summit. The first day is for getting to Virunga national park, the second day is for ascending while the third day is for descending. Hiking starts with a briefing and it’s the armed ranger guides that lead the trekkers to the summit of the volcano which takes 5-6 hours.
What are the requirements for one to get a permit for Mount Nyiragongo?
To get a hiking permit for mount Nyiragongo, you must have a valid passport that shows every detail of you. The passport is one of the requirements asked by Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature. The passport is asked to confirm its your right names and if your age qualifies for hiking. If they find out that your age doesn’t qualify for hiking mount Nyiragongo then you won’t be issued a hiking permit. East African citizens and Congoloese can present their national identity cards if they don’t have a passport.
Local tour operators must request for passport details from the client before they do any reservations for hiking permits for mount Nyiragongo because the authorities of Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature have to know the nationality of the person, the age, and others.
How much does a hiking permit for Mount Nyiragongo cost?
Before traveling to DR Congo, you need to connect with a local tour operator who will give you enough information about hiking mountain Nyiragongo in DR Congo in order to have a better plan for the safari. Travelers intending to come to DR Congo for hiking are advised to book their hiking permits 3-4 months before traveling to the country to avoid inconveniences.
A hiking permit for Mount Nyiragongo is a document that allows travelers to hike Nyiragongo Volcano in Virunga national park. Hiking permits for Mount Nyiragongo are on high demand in the high season which occurs from June to September and December to February. Yes, each hiking permit for Mount Nyiragongo costs $300 per person per hike and can only be used a single tour for hiking in Virunga national park.
How to get a hiking permit for Nyiragongo volcano?
The best way to get a hiking permit for mount Nyiragongo is by contacting a local tour operator. Africa Adventure Vacations does help travelers interested in hiking Mount Nyiragongo to get permits. We don’t any extra costs on the permit when booking for you. What you will have to do is send us an email containing the different days you want to travel and using these dates, we shall check for the availability of the permits with Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature.
When the permits are available, we shall send you an email containing the banking details so that you send us money. When we receive the money, we shall go ahead and book the hiking permit for Nyiragongo. When booking the permits using a local tour operator, you are advised to check about the history of the operator for example you can check them on trip advisor, and you can as well check if they are members of associations in Uganda.
Hiking mountain Nyiragongo
Hiking mountain Nyiragongo starts with a briefing at the park offices where the wardens teach the hikers about the rules and regulations of the trekking activity. After the briefing, the hikers are led by the armed ranger guides who take them through different trails leading to the summit of the volcano. The hiking activity takes 5-6 hours of meeting different vegetation covers, birds, and animals such as aardvark, topi, duikers, giant forest hogs, buffaloes, mongoose, duikers, elephants, okapi, waterbuck, giant pangolin, and kobs among others.
Hiking to the summit of Nyiragongo has different stopovers where hikers spend some time taking water, relaxing, and having some snacks. At the summit of the volcano, you will meet the largest lava lake in the world. You will have beautiful views of other Virunga volcanoes, Rwenzori mountains, Lake Kivu, Goma city, Kahuzi Biega national park, and Virunga national park among others.
The nights are spent at the summit of the volcano in the cabins. The cabins are 12 and each of them is comprised of 2 single beds where hikers can put their sleeping bags. Dinner is served at the summit and since the top of the mountain can be freezing we advise hikers to come along with warm clothes and good sleeping bags.
Descending Mount Nyiragongo is done the next day and hikers can first have beautiful views of the lava lake, surrounding areas and then descend the mountain which normally takes about 3 hours. While descending mount Nyiragongo, there are chances of meeting park mammals, primates, and birds. Hikers must use their walking stick while descending Nyiragongo so as not to get hurt by the sharp rocks.
What to pack for Nyiragongo hiking?
Some of the extensive things you need to pack for Nyiragongo hiking include waterproof hiking shoes, warm clothes, long-sleeved pants, long-sleeved shirts, scarf, insect repellents, a hat, sunscreen, a rain jacket, sleeping bag, backpack, camera and extra batteries, a pair of binoculars, headlamp, drinking water bottle, energy-giving snacks, facemask, sanitizer, and first aid kit.
Best time to hike mount Nyiragongo
Mount Nyiragongo can be hiked at any time of the year but the best time is the dry season. This season occurs from June to September and December to February and it’s characterized by little or no rainfall that makes the hiking trails less muddy, the vegetation is always short with clear views of the gorillas, and the roads leading to Virunga national park are passable.
