May 27, 2021 Mount Nyiragongo Eruption- This wonderful active volcano Mount Nyiragongo is found in one of the Africans biggest country the Democratic Republic of Congo on its eastern side. Mountain Nyiragongo is a very good tourist attraction that has attracted several tourists to the democratic republic of Congo contributing much to the hiking experience and to the people of Goma city that is near Nyiragongo Mountains.

Despite, this the fact that Nyiragongo Mountain is an active volcano, and any time it can split fire which may eventually affect wildlife and people’s proximity to the mountain. To take you back, in January 2001 this same Mountain Nyiragongo erupted, and the eruption commenced at around 08:25 local time with the reopening of the 1977 eruptive fracture system which commenced at an altitude of about 2800 meters amidst the Nyiragongo central cone and the Shaheru crater.

In 2002. The lave flew from the fractures and the southern franks of the Nyiragongo mountain and the City of Goma was washed by the two strong lava flows which displaced over 120,000 people and over 200 dead. This caused social-economic disruptions and disturbances to the population. By then the lava from the northern portion fracture system and that from the southern portion could easily be displaced. This was bad news for the people and the population especially that of Goma city.

Nyiragongo erupting again after 19 years.

As earlier describes, Nyiragongo is an active volcano that is steep-sided in the part of the African rift valley, an area that is prone to faults. Since 2002, the situation has been normal at Mountain Nyiragongo until Saturday, May 2021when the mountain started erupting, and immediately the world through various international media and international social media platforms were washed with the news and photos, videos of the fire splitting lava flowing from Nyiragongo Mountain to the nearby areas.

The sky turned red with lava oozing out from the ground spreading widely to Goma city which caused the people to flee the city and take refuge in the nearby countries of Rwanda and Uganda, Goma city is just 15kilomters from Nyiragongo Mountain and presently the city harbors a population of over 1 million people. Most of the residents were seen packing and fleeing the areas, luckily enough this time around the city was not heavy and the Goma airport was also not affected. It was only the Ben Highway that was cut of the flowing lava. However, due to constant signs and warnings, all people have been advised to vacate Goma city, and all the activities within the city and business are on a halt.

The 2021 Nyioragongo eruption is believed to have started at around 5:00 pm central African time and this was later confirmed by the military governor of the Kivu province. It was at this time that people started vacating the city and it is reported that about 40 people have been confirmed dead as of now although the number could rise since the situation is still being monitored. The eruption of Nyiragongo has come only 3 years remaining to the predicted time of the Nyiragongo eruption since the scientists had estimated that it would erupt in 2024

How did the 2021 mount Nyiragongo eruption begin?

It was very hard to know that eruption could happen since the warming systems in place couldn’t deliver any signals and those who were installed far back were vandalized. However there were some signs in the early hours of Saturday 22 May 29, 2021whioch were characterized by the smell of the Sulphur gas to the nearby residents and then the sky turning reddish and these were important warnings and signals to the people of Goma, Gisenyi in Rwanda and North Kivu that any time Nyiragaongo mountain could erupt.

In the evening hours of Saturday then, the eruption occurred, and emitted lava started flowing as people started vacating their homesteads and streets running for their safety as you cannot know when the larva would stop flowing. This time presents a hard moment for the women and their children as they had to move for long distances to seek refuge. It is believed that most of the people in Goma city have camped in Rwanda and Uganda mostly in schools, churches, and in any public place where they have been given tents while others are seen sleeping on polythene papers on the ground.

Mount Nyiragongo eruption impacts on the nearby people in 2021

Yes Mount Nyiragongo Eruption happened on May 27, 2021 as earlier said, this was characterized by the flowing lava that went emitted spreading to various villages and as result, several villages and businesses were destroyed and it is believed that the lava spread in about 17 villages around the active Nyiragongo Volcano. The official report has so far reported 600 homes that have been destroyed and over 170 children who are still missing because of being detached from their families. As I said it not yet over as the officials are still on the ground collecting more information

How 2021 mount Nyiragongo eruption has affected tourism activities?

To make it clear, Nyiragongo Mountain is found in Virunga National Park known for harboring the endangered mountain gorillas in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Nyiragongo is one of the 8 volcanoes ground in the Virunga Massif, a great conservation area that is shared by Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Other volcanoes include Mount Gahinga, Mount Karisimbi, Mount Sabinyo, Mount Bisoke, Mount Muhabura, Mount Nyamulangira, and Mount Mikeno. This region is important for tourism development because it is where endangered mountain gorillas are found.

Mount Nyiragongo is undeniably one of the wonders of the world due to the existence of its large lava lake that is found on top of the Mountain and most of the visitors find it interesting to hike this mountain as they after combined with gorilla trekking safaris. It is a wonderful experience spending a night at the top of Nyiragongo Mountain. The heating and the boiling lava lake are o interesting that catch the eye of the tourist especially when it comes to photo moments.

However, because of the 2021 Nyiragongo eruptions, all the tourism activities have been temporarily suspended to make sure that people don’t lose their lives and property. Usually, when an eruption happens, it takes time for the soil to get back to normal especially for all the lava to solidify and also to temporary wait because other eruptions may as well occur, and thus it is the best option to temporally wait and supped all the activities until the situation is deemed normal. Thus for the visitors who had their safaris booked soon to Virunga Mountain or hiking Nyiragongo Mountains, you would be advised to reschedule it for the future date until all the activities are again operational. I’m sure this eruption has created a more unique experience and please make sure you’re the first one to hike Nyiragongo mountain after this volcano just contact Africa Adventure Vacations to arrange the best safari ever

Activities to do in Congo Virunga Conservation area

There various activities that you can do in the Democratic Republic of Congo especially in Virunga National Park or conservation area and these include;

Nyiragongo hiking

Visitors can spend about three days hiking the Nyiragongo volcanoes which have just erupted and thus you will be explored to explore how the flowing lava has spread and affected the nearby areas as you ascend to the summit where you will experience and explore the boiling lava lake that is at the summit of the Nyiragongo mountain.

Endangered mountain Gorilla tracking

Virunga National park is home to eight habituated gorilla families and thus it offers an interesting experience for you to come to the Democratic Republic of Congo and see the endangered mountain gorillas, Virunga National park is one of the 4 national parks that harbors the endangered mountain gorillas and other include the volcanoes national park in Rwanda, Mgahinga National Park in Uganda and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park also in Uganda. While in Congo, you will need to pay only $450 which is cheaper as compared to their gorilla destination of Uganda and Rwanda and thus it would be good for you to combine the Nyiragongo Hiking with Endangered mountain gorillas.

Bird watching in Virunga National Park

There are over 707 species of birds that stay within Virunga national park and this makes bird watching so interesting especially to the birders. Some of the bird species include the Balck billed stork, Rwenzori Turaco, Olive Sunbird, Madagascar Bee-eater among others. Bird watching is done throughout the year in Virunga National Park.

Natural guided or forest walks. 

Walking through the jungle in Virunga Forest National Park is as interesting as you enjoy the serene of the untamed wildness on food within ion the Volcanoes Gorilla Park. With Forest walks, you can easily see some of the primates, ground insects, caves, and rivers within the forest and birds.

In conclusion, therefore, for us at Africa adventure vacations, we shall give you updates regarding the eruption of Mount Nyiragongo  in the Democratic Republic of Congo and how the activities will resume in this wonderful park.