Mount Nyiragongo is among Africa’s and worlds active volcanoes with a permanent lava lake. It’s located in the Democratic Republic of Congo near Lake Kivu at the eastern border with Rwanda in Virunga national park. Because of eruption threats, trekking the Nyiragongo volcano had been closed for about two years but it is now open. The volcano has a 1 kilometer diameter caldera at its summit and it last erupted in 2002 leaving behind lava flows down hill. This was however a destructive eruption that claimed the lives of many Congolese and destroyed their homes and property.
The major tourist activities one can engage in while at mount Nyiragongo include hiking which may take about 5-6 hours, forest walks in the deep equatorial rain forests where one can get a chance of seeing the rare mountain gorillas, various bird species and some primates.
The mountain can be accessed by tourists on a gorilla safari from Rwanda via Lake Kivu to Goma town in the democratic republic of Congo or they can go directly to Congo via Kinshasa.
The best and safest route to use to get to the Nyiragongo volcano is through Rwanda because Democratic Republic of Congo is very insecure with many cases of car hijackings and theft. While in Congo, its better to keep your identification documents near because of the many roadblocks you may encounter while the roads most of them operated by the army.
A 4X4WD is recommended and it’s better to visit the area in the dry season because during the wet season from September to May, the roads are too muddy and impassable and sometimes even the 4X4 cars fail to move.
The Volcano Trek / Hike
This begins at Kibati patrol post which is about an hour drive from Mikeno lodge in Rumangabo and 30 minutes drive from Goma town. Potters for hire are available at this patrol post for $12 on a day trip and $24 on an overnight trip.
All tourists going for the hike are expected to arrive at Kibati patrol post at around 9:30 am because hiking begins at 10:00 am strictly. Those who arrive late are not allowed to hike and their permits are not refunded. The hike to the mountain summit takes about 5-6 hours depending on the fitness of the hikers.
The volcano trekking permits can be purchased at$250 (foreign adults), $125 (foreign children) and at $90 and $25 for Congolese adults and children respectively.
Tourists are expected to remain in their groups and follow guides instructions for safety and security purpose. The rain forests of Congo also contain the rare mountain gorillas therefore tourists are advised not to make a lot of noise in order not to irritate these wild untamed animals.
What to Wear
Since the volcano is located in the jungles of an equatorial rain forest, there are high chances of rain fall and therefore trekkers are advised to put on rain and cold weather clothes like rain coats, water proof pants, jackets and sweaters plus a neck scarf, hand gloves, warm socks and a hat plus a sleeping bag for overnight trips.
The temperatures at the summit of Nyiragongo are also very cold and therefore tourists are required to wear appropriate clothes in order not to endanger their lives with hypothermia.
Strong shoes or boots and a walking stick are recommended to easily move through the muddy and rugged relief of the tropical rain forest and the lava flow planes from the previous eruptions.
What to Eat
Packed meals are the best option while on the Nyiragongo trek. Tourists staying in Mikeno lodges can make orders for their packed meals before the trek while those who come with tour operators are expected to have carried enough packed food to take them through out the trek since there are no restaurants or food selling places at the foot hills of Nyiragongo volcanoes. Simple snacks can help since they can easily be packed.
Basic Health Precautions
All those hiking are expected to take a lot of water because of too much sweating experienced before reaching the summit.
Tourists highly affected by acute mountain sicknesses are required to first talk to medical personnel’s in order to get preventative methods before hiking.
Those allergic to coldness are expected to carry heavy warm clothing’s because the summit temperature is below freezing level.
Tourists who are not physically fit are advised to have an overnight trip because it might be hectic for them to go up and down hill in a day.Important to note is that the accommodation fees are included on the trekking permit.
