Hiking Guide To Mount Nyiragongo in Virunga National Park, DR Congo
Climbing Mount Nyiragongo is something that many people don't get to do – Visitors get to come face-to-face with the largest lava lake in the world. Mount Nyiragongo is an active stratovolcano, with an elevation of 3,470m, which looms over the town of Goma and Lake Kivu. Mount Nyiragongo is one of the largest most spectacular active volcanoes in the world with a caldera summit having a diameter of 1.2 kilometers with steep-sided walls making it the largest active lava lake on Earth. Today the volcano stands at a height of 3,470 meters and has seen some volcanic eruptions causing lava to flow downhill to the neighboring Goma settlements found on the foothills. Mount Nyiragongo today is listed as one of the deadliest and most dangerous volcanoes in the world
Nyiragongo Volcano is located within the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo approximately 20 km north of the town of Goma on the border of Congo and Rwanda, and today it is among the most active volcanoes worldwide. it is at a height of more than 11,000 feet and its caldera peak, called the magma chamber is nearly 1 mile wide and it’s in there that a deep lake of lava is found.
Considering the various Mount Nyiragongo eruptions that this volcano has experienced over the years including the recent one in 2022, one would consider that this is among the few places on Earth that are not inhibited by people since it has the largest fluid lava lake in the world. surprisingly the lower slopes of Mount Nyiragongo are populated with a large number of people living in Village settlements while its densely forested lower slopes are habitats to various animals among which are chimpanzees, bushbucks, various types of monkeys, different bird species, and the unique 3 horned chameleon.
The Geology Of Mount Nyiragongo:
Mount Nyiragongo releases very heavy fumes that envelop the atmosphere over the peak, with the smoke comprising of fluid lava that consists of different chemicals including nepheline and melilite that form a type of rock that is rich in alkaline. The Nyiragongo volcanic field is encompassed by other volcanic fields that include seven other volcanoes including Mikeno and Karisumbi; as well as Lake Kivu. Currently, the Volcanic Lake is surrounded by a ring and the lava levels occasionally swell beyond this ring and flow down to the caldera floor. Because of the steep-sided nature of Mount Nyiragongo Volcano slopes the fluid lava usually flows downhill at a high speed above sixty meters per hour (60 mph) which makes it extremely challenging for the people and the wildlife around to escape from this lava during instances of overflow through the crater walls.
The depths of the crater remain unknown as it changes depending on the amount of magma emitted from below, however, it is estimated to be at a depth of 600 meters. Within the crater are many platforms that were formed by the previous lava levels, with the first platform closest to the rim estimated to be 20 meters from the top room, and it was formed by the lava levels back in 1973. below that is another platform which is about 40 meters lower and was formed in 1995 by the lava lake which drained to the neighboring area after it erupted in 2002. Present the caldera lava flow is estimated to be between 430 meters to 410 meters below the ring of the volcano.
When Did The Nyiragongo Volcano Become Active?
The exact time when this volcano became active remains unknown however occasional bubbling, discharge of fire, clouds of smoke and even bursting of the crater walls for the lava to flow downhill have happened for several years although the first recording of the eruption was recorded in 1882.
The Nyiragongo Volcano is up-to-date and still active and it is believed to have erupted more than 34 times since way back in 1882, with the most recent eruption having occurred on 22 May 2021 and claimed lives. Today volcanic activity is still happening although it is confined within the crater with the level of the lava slowly swelling up inside the cater. back in 1977, the walls of this crater burst open and the molten lava flowed downhill and within less than one hour reached the nearby villages flowing at a speed of approximately 60 mph. the death toll that was officially reported was seventy (70) however it’s alleged that the number was far higher than this.
Well, unlike the usual lava Flow, the presence of volcanic rock rich in alkaline as well as melilite nephelinite on this mountain, forms an exceptionally fluid consistency that makes the lava move at great speed such that it cannot be easily overcome by anything it finds in its way. The eruption in 1977 happened when the crater Lake was at a depth of 10,700 feet – the deepest depth ever documented, however as earlier mentioned the depth of the Lake depends on the amount of Lava in it.
Acces to Mount Nyiragongo:
The journey to Mount Nyiragongo begins in Gisenyi town found in Rwanda and it takes about 30 minutes drive to cross the border into Goma town in Congo which is the nearest to this mountain. From Goma, it is approximately 9 miles to the volcano and it is here that all hiking adventures on Mount Nyiragongo are based.
The mountain can be accessed either by hiring a taxi from Virunga National Park which costs about $20 or by using your private vehicle.
Mount Nyiragongo Climbs normally begin in the early morning and hikers are encouraged to be at the starting point by 9:00 a.m. It is for that reason that you are highly advised to spend the night in Goma town to give you ample time to prepare adequately for your hike. You can hike Nyiragongo before or after Congo gorilla trekking safaris.
There are a few things that you will be required to have to hike the mountain and these include a yellow fever vaccination certificate as proof of receiving the vaccine shot you will also need a climbing permit this costs about $300 per hiker. You can book directly at the National Park or through a tour company that may give you a round cost figure of about $1,000 including the permit, porter services as well as your meals
The most recommended tour up the mountain takes just 3 days for that reason you don’t have to be athletic to ascend the mountain, however, good health condition is required to successfully make it to the summit. Also keep in mind that the mountain surface is not generally even as it is characterized by volcano rocks, and the altitude as well is generally high so signs like dizziness, feeling tired as well as losing courage are likely to happen.
Always keep in mind that the peak is at a height of 11,400 feet so the choice will be yours either to hike slowly or at a fast pace. with Porters giving you luggage assistance, the success rate registered on Mount Nyiragongo is very high.
The actual hike begins at an elevation of 6,510 ft which implies that you will hike up the mountain covering an area of about 10 miles. As you ascend there will be short stops for about 20 minutes to allow you to rest and the pace that you will follow will be determined by the slowest climber in the group. All mountain climbs on Mount Nyiragongo are led by highly skilled park guides who are accompanied by two armed rangers one taking the lead and the other at the back of the group, a cook, and then a group of porters who will assist you with your luggage.
At all times the hikers will move as a group and normally the climb is slow giving you enough time to allow your bodies to acclimatize. the weather up the mountain with not be constant but may vary from sunny to Misty in a short while. another thing that is worth pointing out is that because sometimes the summit of the volcano is covered with mist there are chances that you may or may not see the lava in the crater.
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