Mount Nyamuragira in Congo: Mount Nyamuragira is located just 14 kilometers North West of the world’s active volcano Mount Nyiragongo and 25 kilometers west of Lake Kivu, the shield volcano is also often known as Nyamuragira.
Mount Nyamuragira in the Democratic Republic of Congo derives its name from a local Kinyarwanda verb Kuragira inka to mean ‘herd cows’ Mount Nyamuragira has Aldo erupted at least 40 times since 1885, the recent eruption was on the 8th of November 2011.
The eruptions often caused the creation of smaller volcanoes which have disappeared after some time, Mount Nyamuragira eruptions realize large amount of Sulphur dioxide which had got a negative effect to the surroundings.
Mount Nyamuragira has got a volume of 500 cubic km and extensive lava flows 1500 kilometers squared of the East African rifts, the fluid lava flows. Mount Nyamuragira, Mount Nyiragongo and Mount Bisoke are the only active volcanoes in the Virunga massif.
Mount Nyamuragira in Congo is 3058 meters high with a caldera which is 2 kilometers wide with walls of 500 meters high, the volcano has eruptions inside the caldera summit and extensive rift zones on the flanks producing numerous fissures and cinder cones.
The 2016 scientific study shows that the lake at the bottom of the inner pit of the caldera had recently disappeared and the reason for its disappearance is not yet well known but gases were being realized from the of the lava lake.
Mount Nyamuragira is one of the few volcanoes that have kept the lava lakes for decades, the formation of the new lava lake occurred in June to August 2014 with a depth of 500 meters which continues to grow and can form lava flows in future.
Apart from hiking one of the world’s active volcanoes tourists can involve in a lot of other activities around Virunga national park that can be seen below;
Gorilla Trekking in Congo
Gorilla in the world can only be found in three countries in the world that is Uganda, Rwanda and Congo please encounter this man’s closest relatives and you will have unforgettable lifetime experience. The greater advantage is that gorilla permits in the Democratic Republic of Congo are cheaper compared to Rwanda and Uganda.
Visit Maiko National Park
Maiko national park is situated in the remote part of the country and it’s divided into three sectors where visitors can view animals such as the endangered Okapi, endemic aquatic Genet and forest elephant among others.
Climb Mount Nyiragongo
Tourists can also hike to Mount Nyiragongo and see the world largest lava lake with hot gases and fumes bumbling up throughout the year, hiking this magnificent mountain takes about 4-6 hours depending on the speed and fitness of hikers.
Chimpanzee Trekking
Tourists can include chimpanzee trekking to their bucket list in Virunga national park. Chimpanzee habituation was introduced in Virunga national park in 2014.
Bird Watching
Virunga national park is also a birders paradise and bird enthusiasts can spot birds such as; Kivu Ground Thrush, Olive Legion, Olive Woodpecker, Blue Headed Coucal, Speckled Mouse Birds, Black Kite and Paradise Flycatcher to mention but a few.
Cultural Tour
The Democratic Republic of Congo is one of the places you can encounter unique African culture, you can get entertained with local traditional dances, songs and learn about peoples day to day ways of living plus getting souvenirs to take back home for remembrance.
Best Time to Visit Mount Nyamuragira in Congo.
The best time for visiting Mount Nyamuragira in Congo is during the dry season when the trails are not muddy and you can have clear views of the crater and equally not get disrupted by the rains.
Tourists visiting Mount Nyamuragira in Congo can spend a night or two at any of the accommodation facilities in Virunga National Park such as Mikeno Lodge, Bukima Tented Camp, Tchegera Island Tented Camp, Kibumba Tented Camp and many others.
Other Activities to do during your visit to Congo.
Get to see orphaned gorillas at Senkwekwe
The Senkwekwe Gorilla Centre in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which is now the only center in the world caring for orphaned mountain gorillas, was created in 2010 as a result of donations from all around the world. With its lush forest and plenty of animals, the site at Rumangabo, Virunga National Park’s headquarters, was judged ideal, and the first orphaned gorilla came shortly after. Today, the remarkable caretakers at the center care for gorillas that have been harmed by poachers and wildlife traffickers, relying on the incredible Gorilla Doctors of the DR Congo when necessary.
See Mountain Gorillas in Virunga National Park.
Congo’s Virunga National Park in Goma offers tourists a chance to see habituated mountain gorillas at an affordable price; with a gorilla permit in Congo costing only $400 per person, which is cheaper compared to Uganda ($700) and Rwanda ($1500).
Hike the World Famous Rwenzori Mountains.
The highest peak of the ‘Mountains of the Moon,’ located on the boundary of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is a staggering 5109 meters, and the range is home to the only glaciers on the African continent. A hike to Margherita Peak will take you through swirling mists and gorgeous alpine meadows, past strange and lovely vegetation, and even past forest elephant and okapi. The park is currently unable to provide climbing equipment or food for trekkers, so you must come prepared, although you will be escorted by a Virunga ranger and a local porter.
Explore Tchegera Island.
If you’ve completed all of these DRC activities or even a few, first and first, we applaud you, and secondly, it’s time for some well-deserved quality time on this remote African island. And we know just where to go: Tchegera Island. Tchegera Island Camp, an emerald-green oasis just off the northern border of Lake Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is the sole trace of human presence. Book a room for a night or two and explore the island, keeping an eye out for the multi-colored birds, swimming in the croc-free waters, or simply relaxing and watching the glittering stars with a drink in hand.
Hike to the summit of Nyiragongo Volcano
The gorillas may be the main attraction in the DRC, but the Nyiragongo Volcano is a close second. The active volcano, a red glow simmering curiously at its conical peak, will be the first thing you encounter when you arrive in Goma. On a trek to the peak, you’ll be looking for that molten glow.
Starting from the Kibati ranger station just outside Goma, the five-hour journey takes you through thick tropical forest and scrambles over jagged rocks before reaching at the lava lake at the summit. When the sun goes down, watch the molten liquid bubble and squirt before retiring to a tiny camping cabin on the crater rim. That’s a night that won’t be forgotten soon!
Book with us your gorilla trekking safari to Congo now and get to experience DR Congo at its best!
