The Nyiragongo Package

The Nyiragongo hike is among the most selling tour package in Virunga national park. Visitors must be Grande Barrier border at exactly 7:00 am for check in and get their respective hiking permits by 8:00 am in the morning. After set off in a convoy to Kibati post for briefing session and start your hike to the most active volcano in Africa. This is a 2 days trip and hiking to the top of the mountain takes 4-6 hours depending on the physical fitness of the visitors. If you keep time and move at a normal pace, by 5:00am you would be at the top of volcano to enjoy the magnificent views of the entire region. You will have an overnight dinner and overnight camping on the rim of a volcano. And by 6:30 am, you will be descending to the base of the mountain for the next activity. The Nyiragongo package departs on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

The Nyiragongo Package Highlight

Day 1: Pick up and transfer to Kibati
Day 2: Descend to the base- Transfer to Grande barriere border

Day 1: Pick up and transfer to Kibati

Drive to Grande Barriere border for crossing by 7:00am. Check-in with Virunga tourism office by 8:00am in morning for your booked Nyiragongo hike trek. The tourism office is just opposite the passport control room located at the Grande Barriere border post building. In the process of check-in, you will be issued with a volcano trek permit that you will present to the authorities before climbing mount Nyiragongo.

After check-in process is done, you will be transferred to Kibate ranger post for briefing sessions and later start you hike to the summit of the volcano. The hike to the top starts at 10:00am and most groups reach to the summit by 5:00pm. You will spend a memorable night at the crater rim.

Day 2: Descend to the base- Transfer to Grande barriere border

At 6:30, leave the crater rim and start to descend to the base of the volcano. This journey takes approximately 4 hours. Upon arrival to the bottom on mount Nyiragongo, you will be transferred to Goma with a drop off at Grande Barriere border to end The Nyiragongo Package.

Included in the Nyiragongo package:

Volcano trek permit,

Transport to and from Kibati Ranger Post

1night full board stay on Nyiragongo summit.

Excluded in this package:

Nyiragongo backpack

Porter fees

Gratuities and anything of a personal nature

RD Congo visa.

You are strongly advised to book the Nyiragongo backpack if you intend to book this trip. The backpack includes meals for the duration of the trek (cold picnic lunch, hot dinner and a hot breakfast ahead of your descent), 6 liters of water, and rental of a warm jacket, waterproof poncho, fleece and a sleeping bag with fleece liner.

A yellow fever vaccination card is important to cross the border to DR Congo to undertake the Nyiragongo package. You will be required to show your passport and yellow fever card to the authorities before granting you a visa to the country.

Important information about the Nyiragongo Package

The best time to Hike Mount Nyiragongo: Well, climbing Nyiragongo volcano can be done all year around however the most tourists prefer to hike this mountain during the dry season. The dry season happens between June and September and also December, January and February. During rainy seasons, the trails tend to be muddy and slippery, making it difficult for hikers to climb mount Nyiragongo.

Be in Good Shape: Yes, you should be in good shape if you are looking at climbing mount Nyiragongo because the hiking is challenging and requires travelers to be physically fit. The volcano becomes steeper as you ascend as well as challenging when descending to the base.  You may experience knee and ankle pain because of pressure.

To those who are extremely sensitive on weather changes, you may face serious challenges as you ascend to the summit of the mountain. Therefore, always consider this when booking your trip.

Mental Preparedness: Hikers should be much determined to climb to the top of the volcano all the challenges you may face. Just get ready for this tour by preparing your mind and body weeks before the hike. This can be done by climbing minor hills around your home and running exercises to keep your body fit enough for the magical challenge!

Use a stick to hike: A hiking stick will support you to climb up to the volcano as well as during sloping down to the bottom. This stick maintains body balance and relives the knees from greater strain. Hiking sticks are always available at the starting point of Kibati post.

Keep your valuable safe: Always keep your valuables like cameras, binoculars, money and laptops close to you during hiking to avoid losing them.