Mount Nyiragongo is located in the Northern Kivu Province, in Virunga National Park, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Thus, after mountain gorilla trekking tours in Virunga National Park, still in the park you should go for the lifetime experience achieved from hiking Nyiragongo. The volcano is monitored by a team of scientists at the Goma Volcanic Observatory. It is monitored 24/7, 365 days a year with seismic data produced every four minutes and temperature data produced every ten minutes.
The Nyiragongo hike permit costs only US$ 300 and hiking to the summit of the volcano, you will enjoy stunning views to the largest bubbling lava lake in the world. Treks to the summit of Nyiragongo volcano begin at the Kibati patrol post. Park rangers lead all treks and porters, unaffiliated with the park, are available for hire. The time required to reach the summit depends on the average fitness of each group, but typically it takes 4 – 6 hours.
In order to have a successful hike to the summits of Nyiragongo Volcano, porters are very much needed. The porters are basically the local youths (boys) who will assist you in carrying your luggage plus all your belongings as you hike the volcano such that you don’t get tired easily. The porters do not have clear amount you should pay them instead it will depend on your personal negotiations with your porter.
The wooden hiking sticks can also help you in your hiking because they will make your body to fully engage in the activity. The wooden hiking sticks are sold at the Nyiragongo headquarters at only US$ 5. On addition of a porter, you will also need to hire a personal cook as there are no restaurants at the top of Nyiragongo volcano or instead you can decide to go with enough packed snacks and food together with some drinks such as drinking water and others.
Some Nyiragongo Volcano hiking equipment include; light hiking boots, long sleeved clothes, sweaters and jackets, enough drinking water, wooden hiking sticks, good HD cameras, and gloves, among others. Before hiking the volcano, hikers will be first briefed at the volcano’s headquarters and will be advised to be mentally prepared for such a challenging experience and also have believe in yourself that you can make it to the summits instead of being worried of the activity which can even weaken your hiking possibilities.
The hiking activity starts at 2,000 meters and you will catch up with your fellow hikers enjoying this great experience of hiking a volcano with the largest lava lake in the world. The activity is done in groups and it is basically common that in a group of many hikers, there will be some individuals who will actually fail to make it to the summits of Nyiragongo however this should not scare you as it is also not a must and just keep believing in yourself and being brave just. I know you will reach a stage and feel like giving up but the advice here is that just stay focused with what you are doing instead of thinking of giving up. In your mind just keep asking yourself that if other people can hike to the summit, who are you not to do so?!
It is really a special feeling at the summits of Nyiragongo volcano and your first glimpse of the bubbling lava lake will forever remain etched into your memory. You will feel unreal as you will be like staring into a photo and you will have that feeling which states that all what you are viewing is photo-shop until when you will blink continuously to ensure that it is not a dream in a deep sleep and what you are seeing is real. It is a guarantee that the experience you will achieve at the summits of the volcano is of a lifetime. There is an accommodation at the summits of Nyiragongo, Nyiragongo Summit Shelters, where hikers will spend the night. In the morning, you will first have a cup of tea before descending back to the ground for your next destinations. Descending down is not too tiresome as hiking (ascending) and it will take you less than 2 hours to get to the ground. After your hiking activity, you will have a large gallery of photos you will have shot while at the summits of the volcano and these photos will really offer you a memorable time in Virunga.
