2 days mount Nyiragongo Hike is carried out in Virunga national park Congo which is known to be one of the best National parks in DR Congo as well as the oldest national park in Africa.

Mount Nyiragongo is an active volcanic mountain located along DR Congo and Rwanda border. Hence mount Nyiragongo hike and adventure can be done from volcanoes national park side however, the best hiking trail is done in the great Virunga national park of Congo side.

Booking the 2 days Nyiragongo hike package is one of the best and exciting experiences one would ever have on a travel visit in Congo and other neighboring countries of Uganda and Rwanda. All you need for this trip is to get vaccinated in advance, secure your hiking permit, pack your rain jacket, hiking shoes, sunglasses, drinking water, both light clothes and warm clothes, hire a porter, grab a hiking stick and leave the rest as it will flow naturally.

This package includes 2 days and 1-night stay at the summit of mount Nyiragongo and it either start from Gisenyi or Goma to Virunga national park.

Highlights of the 2 Days Mount Nyiragongo Hike

Day 1: Nyiragongo Hike

Day 2: Descend Nyiragongo and departure

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Mount Nyiragongo Hike

Start your 2 days Nyiragongo Hike package to Virunga national park with an early morning pick up from either Gisenyi or Goma. The journey will take you to the park headquarters for briefing before proceeding with the hike. After briefing sessions, you will be driven to Kibati village to start your Nyiragongo hike trip at 10:00am. You will be led by an armed ranger guide and you are advised to hire a porter to assist you to carry your backpack.

Look out for different mammals, birds, butterflies among others during trekking sessions. This adventure experience takes about 5-6hours to the summit of mount Nyiragongo depending on the level of fitness of hikers.

As soon as you reach to the summit of the mountain, you have a clear view of Virunga national park at glace, the neighboring national parks of Uganda and Rwanda and other volcanoes of the Virunga mastiff. Have an overnight stay at the summit camps while enjoying the beautiful views of the glowing lava lake. Please remember to take as many photos as possible.

Accommodation: Tents at the summit

Meal plan: Lunch and Dinner at the summit

Day 2: Descend Nyiragongo and departure

Have breakfast and descend to the bottom of the mountain to end your Nyiragongo hiking safari with lots of memories. Descending is the easiest and fascinating adventure filled with frequent falling and sliding. The journey takes about 2-3 hours depending on the speed and fitness of hikers. Meet your driver guide for a transfer to Kigali airport for a drop off.

If time allows, you may go for a city tour to visit the local markets and Kigali memorial genocide.

Meal plan: Breakfast at the summit and en route lunch

Inclusive

Park entrance fees

All activities mentioned in Itinerary

Hiking permit

A 4×4 safari vehicle

Airport drop off

All meals as per itinerary

Drinking water

Accommodation as per Itinerary

English speaking tour guide / driver

Exclusive

Travel expenses such as Visa and air ticket

Domestic flights in case you opt for a flight

All optional activities

Laundry

Other beverages and Alcoholic drinks

Personal expenses such as Airtime and email services

Life insurance while on safari

Tips to the porter and guide

Porter fee

Souvenirs

When did the Nyiragongo volcano become active?

The exact time Nyiragongo volcano become active still remains unknown however, occasional bubbling, clouds of smoke, discharge of fire and even bursting of the crater walls for lava to flow have happened for many years although the first eruption happened in 1882.

How deep is the Nyiragongo Crater Lake?

The depth of the Crater Lake remains unknown because it depends on the amount of magma emitted from beneath the earth, however it’s estimated to be about 600 meters. Within the crater are several platforms that were created by former lava levels. The first platform is about 20 meters from the top room close to the rim and it was formed by lava levels in 1973.

Below the first platform is another platform about 40 meters lower and this was formed in 1995 by a lava lake that drained to the neighboring area after eruption in 2002. As of today, the caldera lava flow is estimated to be between 410 meters to 430 meters below the volcano ring.

How to get to Mountain Nyiragongo Volcano?

The journey to mountain Nyiragongo starts in Gisenyi town situated in Rwanda and it takes you about half an hour to cross the border into Goma town of DR Congo which is the nearest town to this mountain. From Goma town it’s about 9 miles to Nyiragongo volcano and it is here that all climbing adventures on mount Nyiragongo are based.

The mountain can be accessed using your hired private car or a taxi from Virunga national park at a fee of $20.

Hiking Mountain Nyiragongo volcano

Mountain Nyiragongo hikes always start early in the morning and hikers are advised to be at the starting point by 9am. It’s for this reason that you are advised to sleep in the nearby Goma town to give you enough time to prepare for the hike.

There are certain things you must possess in order to participate in hiking and these include a yellow fever vaccination card as a proof of receiving the vaccine, a hiking permit which is bought at a fee of $300 per hiker. The hiking permit can only be got from the national park offices or through any trusted tour operator such as Africa Adventure Vacations who will give you a ground cost figure including permit, meals as well as porter service.

Do I need to be physically fit to climb mount Nyiragongo volcano?

The most recommended tour up mountain Nyiragongo takes about 2 days for that case you don’t need to be an athlete to climb up the mountain, however you need to be in a good health condition to successfully make it to the summit.

Also bear in mind that mountain Nyiragongo surface is not generally even as its surface is characterized with volcano rocks and the altitude is high so there is always no signs such as feeling tired, dizziness and loosing courage are likely to happen.

You should know the summit is at a height of 11400 feet so the choice is in your hands to either hike slowly or fast. The porters are always available to carry your luggage at a certain fee. Most of the hikers at Nyiragongo succeed to the top.