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Nyiragongo Lava Lake and Mountain Gorillas

8-days expedition to Nyiragongo volcano & mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park

"I had a wonderful trip - thoroughly enjoyed it!" (Jay Ramji)

Nyiragongo's lava lake

Silver back and female mountain gorilla in Virunga National Park

Nyiragongo Lava Lake & Mountain Gorillas

8-days expedition to Nyiragongo volcano & mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park

Tour type

Volcano expedition: adventure - photography - wildlife

Difficulty

Moderate to Challenging

Group size: 4-10

Duration

8 days / 7 nights

no scheduled dates at present

Price per person

$ 3950 €£¥

An adventurous trip to The Virunga National Park, DR Congo with a special deal to spend 2 NIGHTS on the crater rim of Nyiragongo volcano (normally, only one is allowed!)! In addition, the lava lake has been particular active with frequent, dramatic overflows lately, so it's a great time to visit!
The heart of this adventurous expedition is two nights camping on the rim of the giant summit caldera of Nyiragongo volcano, above its violently active lava lake which is the word´s largest!
Second highlight is a trek through dense rainforest to observe a family of mountain gorillas, endangered primates which found a safe heaven in Virunga National Park.
The itinerary furthermore includes a visit of the volcano observatory and Goma city, where life goes on from the ashes of the destruction caused by Nyiragongo´s 2002 eruption, and beautiful and varied scenery during the drives through western Rwanda and to the start of the volcano hike and gorilla tracking.
An excellent local guide who gladly provides insight into the regions history and local culture, the company of a Goma observatory volcanologist during the time spent on Nyiragongo, friendly people, good accommodation and tasty food make this trip complete!

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The world´s largest and most active lava lake
2 days/nights camping on the volcano summit
Trekking through rainforest and mountain moorlands
Summit stay around full moon for photography purposes
Virunga - Africa´s oldest national park
Chance to spend time up close with the mountain gorillas
Scenic drives across western Rwanda
Private 4WD transfers and camping cook
Insight into Rwandese and Congolese history and culture

8 days itinerary (2 nights on Nyiragongo)

Note:
If you are not interested in the unique opportunity to visiting the mountain gorillas, you can shorten the itinerary by 3 days and plan arriving in Goma on Day 4. A part of the tour cost can then be refunded to you.

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali (Rwanda)
Pick up from Kigali airport and transfer to a good hotel. Depending on your arrival time you can visit the city center. In the evening the group meets for a welcome dinner at the hotel.

Day 2: From Kigali (Rwanda) to Goma (DR Congo)
Transfer in private 4WD minibus through the beautiful landscape of western Rwanda to the Congolese border. In the afternoon we cross into the DR Congo and arrive at our accommodation in Goma which is at the shore of Lake Kivu.

Day 3: Transfer to Kibumba camp
Meet the Virunga Nat. Park officer and transfer to Kibumba camp.

Day 4: Mountain gorilla tracking in Virunga National Park
Morning transfer to the base of Mikeno volcano from where the trek through rain-forest to track down the mountain gorillas starts. In a small group, you will have one hour with a specific gorilla family before returning to the camp.

Day 5: Climb to the summit of Nyiragongo volcano
Hike to the summit caldera of Nyiragongo volcano (5-6 hours, about 7 km distance and ca 1400 m elevation) along a well established trail through rainforest and across the 2002 lava flows. Virunga National Park daily organises the volcano´s climb in one group, starting around 10 am in the morning and arriving at the campsite just below the crater rim in the afternoon. Evening and nighttime are free for observation of the volcano´s active lava lake.

Day 6: Full day at Nyiragongo's summit
From dawn to dusk, this entire first day on Nyiragongo´s summit is dedicated to discover the volcanic activity of the lava lake and explore the structure and volcanic phenomena of the surrounding caldera.

Day 7: Descend from Nyiragongo - Goma Volcano Observatory
Morning descend from Nyiragongo´s summit back to the Kibati patrol post and transfer back to the hotel in Goma for a welcome shower and lunch. Afternoon visit of the Goma Volcano Observatory and optional walk around the town.

Day 8: Return to Kigali, departure (or own extension)
Morning transfer back to Kigali, goodbye lunch and drop-off at the airport for your afternoon/evening return flight(s) or start of your travel extension in Rwanda.

Dates and details

Booking inquiry

Tour guide

Sam will be your main tour guide and driver throughout your travels in Rwanda and the DR Congo. He was born from Rwandese parents when they were in a refugee camp in Uganda and returned with them as a young man to settle in Kigali. Throughout the past few decades he traveled extensively throughout Rwanda, Uganda, Eastern Congo and Burundi and guided countless tours in this region. Being fluent in 5 languages (English, French and 3 local languages) and having a great interest in local history, culture, fauna and flora he is an excellent tour guide with lots of experience traveling to the DR Congo and hiking up Nyiragongo volcano. His good spirits, humour, practical mind and willingness to help will surely contribute to good memories of an unforgettable expedition!

As Sam is not a geologist, there will be a volcanologist from Goma Volcano Observatory accomopanying the group throughout the time spend on Nyiragongo to explain any volcanic phenomena or deposits and provide more insight into the history and activity of Nyiragongo and the wider volcanic region with Lake Kivu. If the group size is larger than 6 participants, there will also be a VolcanoDiscovery co-guide and volcanologist joining in the expedition.

Additionally, there is a park ranger assuring extra safety during each activity within Virunga National Park (Nyiragongo hike, summit camping and descent & mountain gorilla tracking).

Samuel Gasana, your main guide and driver during the Nyiragongo lava lake and mountain gorillas expedition

Marcellin Kasereka, volcanologist at the Goma Volcano Observatory, showing a large lava bomb along the way to the volcano´s summit

Additional info

Physical requirements

The climb up to Nyiragongo´s summit is strenuous and takes about 5-6 hours (1400m total altitude gain from ca 2000 masl to around 3400 masl and about 7 km distance) and starting in hot conditions, but the path is relatively easy and not excessively steep. The most challenging part of the descent from Nyiragongo´s summit are the first 200 m on the steep upper slopes which can be wet and slippery. Tracking the mountain gorillas may involve 3 up to 7 hours of moderate trekking across the Congolese farmlands and through rain forest.

8 days itinerary (2 nights on Nyiragongo)

Day 1

Arrival in Kigali (Rwanda)

Relaxing courtyard of the nice and comfortable Chez Lando hotel in Kigali

Hustle and bustle of Kigali city with many bike taxis and pedestrians

View onto part of Kigali, Rwanda´s capital that is spread across a number of hills and valleys

We will meet you upon your arrival at Kigali international airport and transfer you to a nice mid-class hotel. If you arrive in the morning or around midday you can either rest at the hotel or opt to explore the city and visit the Kigali genocide memorial, local markets, ... In the evening, the group meets for a welcome dinner at the hotel.

Day 2

From Kigali (Rwanda) to Goma (DR Congo)

The intensely farmed Rwandese countryside is a green patchwork of a large variety of crops

Young women selling their produce at a local farmers´market

The landscape of western Rwanda: vegetable plots (beans) with a 1000 hills as background

We leave Kigali after breakfast and drive through western Rwanda, traversing a beautiful landscape of "the thousand hills" with spectacular views along the way. Rwanda has plenty of rain and fertile soils that are intensely cultivated, turning the countryside into a patchwork of green, from the bluish green of the eucalyptus trees planted on the hilltops, the dark green of the cypresses lining the narrow tracks, to the soft green of the tea plantations in the valleys. A temperate climate explains the extraordinary diversity of farming: coffee, tobacco, sorghum, potatoes, beans, bananas, tea, carrots, sugar cane, ... We stop at a local farmers´ market to buy supplies for our camping trip on Nyiragongo volcano. If the weather is clear, the curving road offers us some great first views of the Virunga mountain chain. At the border town of Gisenyi we cross into The Democratic Republic of Congo where we stop for the night at a comfortable hotel along the shoreline of Lake Kivu in Goma.

Day 3

Transfer to Kibumba camp

Meet the Virunga Nat. Park officer and transfer to Kibumba camp.

Day 4

Mountain gorilla tracking in Virunga National Park

Silhouettes of Karisimbi (left) and Mikeno (right) volcanoes during the hike to the National Park´s boundary

Each gorilla family is visited daily by the same Virunga ranger and hence know and trust him well enough to come near them and remove any branches that obstruct a clear view of them

Female mountain gorilla sunken in thoughts

Early morning departure to the patrol post in Goma from where we are escorted by a Virunga National Park ranger on our drive to the lower slopes of Mikeno volcano. Along the way we take in the beautiful scenery with views of the Virunga volcanoes mountain chain: Nyiragongo, Nyamuragira, Visoke, Karisimbi, ... At the patrol post, all travelers are divided over small groups and assigned a particular mountain gorilla family. The hike takes us through the farmed lowlands up to the National Park´s boundary from where we continue into the dense rainforest. Tracking the gorillas can take several hours of challenging walking in sometimes wet and muddy conditions. This hardship is however rewarded with spending ca. 1 hour with your gorilla family, observing and photographing them from closeby as the young gorillas play whilst the mothers and silverbacks eat and rest. Afterwards we drive back to Goma and cross the border back into Rwanda. The accommodation in Gisenyi for the last night is a hotel at the shores of Lake Kivu from where on clear nights one can see the glow above Nyiragongo's summit.

Note: If you prefer NOT to take part in the truly unique experience of getting up close to the mountain gorillas, you could arrive on this day in Goma and join only the volcano part. We will then deduct a part of the tour cost (on request).

Day 5

Climb to the summit of Nyiragongo volcano

View of Nyiragongo volcano, with the southern Shaheru crater to the left, on the way to the start of the summit ascent

The hike starts in lush rain forest but this gradually gives way to sparser vegetation as the path goes along old volcanic deposits

View toward the east halfway up Mt Nyiragongo: the border with Rwanda is across the flat plane where hills start to appear, silhouette of Mt Karisimbi to the left

Early morning departure from Goma to the Virunga National Park office at Kibati, the starting point of the hike (ca. 2000 m). Once all hikers for that day have arrived, the park formalities are completed and luggage is divided over the local porters, we set out on our beautiful climb towards the summit. The first part is mostly shaded as it goes through rainforest, but from the ca. 2250 m onwards vegetation becomes less and after the second resting point at ca. 2500 m we hike across the lava flows from the January 2002 fissure eruption. At about 2750 m we reach the large fissure from where all this lava was emitted in 2002 and continue our hike up to Nyiragongo´s summit across older, loose volcanic deposits. Areas covered only by groundsel, ferns, sedge and everlastings alternate with denuded stretches of land caused by the devastating effect of the volcanic gases. From the old camping hut at ca. 3200 m we can see the new campsite at the end of the final 200 m ascent. Weather permitting, our climb will be rewarded with a first glimpse of the volcano´s active lava lake. After some relaxing and a nice dinner prepared by our personal cook and his assistant, the rest of the evening and night is at your disposal to either rest or observe the red hot boiling lava some 400 m below the crater rim.

Day 6

Full day at Nyiragongo's summit

Nyiragongo´s summit caldera and its active lava lake in the early hours of a clear morning

Some of the campsite huts with Shaheru crater in the background

As the sun sets, the intense glow of the lava becomes visible again and casts a pink shade on the escaping gasses

When the weather is clear, dawn and sunrise over the ca 1,2 km wide caldera is pure magic with shifting shades of red, orange, yellow, pink, purple and blue - slowly revealing the different volcanic layers and colours of the caldera cliffs. After breakfast, the volcanologist from the Goma Volcano Observatory who accompanies our group during their 3 days on Nyiragongo, will give more information on the volcano´s history, its structure and linked volcanic phenomena that occur in the wider area. There is the possibility to accompany him doing gas measurements and/or for a short walk exploring the western part of the caldera rim. When there are no clouds and the winds carry the volcanic gasses away from our observation point, the lava lake with its constantly changing black crust and exploding gas bubbles can be observed. In clear weather, there are fantastic views from Nyiragongo´s summit over Nyamuragira volcano and the Virunga chain (Visoke, Mikeno and Karisimbi volcanoes), as well as the town of Goma and the lake Kivu.

Day 7

Descend from Nyiragongo - Goma Volcano Observatory

Watching the sun rise between Mikeno and Karisimbi from he rim of Nyiragongo´s summit caldera

All packed up and ready to start the descend back down!

The wooden bike is common sight in Goma and the surrounding villages

After an early breakfast we break up camp and start the 3-4 hour descend from Nyiragongo´s summit back to the starting point at the Kibati patrol post, taking the same trail back down as two days before. From there we travel back to Goma and our hotel alongside Lake Kivu to take time for a shower before lunch. In the afternoon we pay a visit to the Goma Volcano Observatory where the scientists will briefly explain us the different ways they monitor the degassing, ground deformation and other volcanic phenomena around the Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira volcanoes. If time allows we can also visit the town of Goma where the effects of the destructive eruption in 2002, when a large river of lava destroyed the city centre, are still visible.

Day 8

Return to Kigali, departure (or own extension)

Streetview in Kigali with the typical motorcycle taxi´s

The main exhibition centre at the Kigali Genocide Memorial

During certain parts of the year, thousands of fruit bats reside in Kigali where they can be seen doing their daytime napping hanging down from the trees

After breakfast we cross back into Rwanda and continue our return to Kigali which we will reach around midday for a goodbye lunch. If your return flight is that same day we will bring you to the airport, otherwise to your hotel or onward destination for your travel extension in Rwanda. Please do not book any return flights earlier than 16h00 to allow enough time to get to the airport.

'You have been great throughout the entire process with regard to communication and updates'

"Dear Ingrid,

Again, thank you for all your efforts, but I have decided to withdraw from the entire trip and accept the full refund. You have been exceptionally helpful and diligent with your communications. I hope to make a journey with VolcanoAdventures in the future."

- Barbara O. (USA) regarding the cancellation of her Nyiragongo lava lake and mountain gorillas'expedition from 24 June to 1 July 2018 due to closure of Virunga NP.

parfaite organisation de ce magnifique et extraordinaire voyage

"Chère Madame,

De retour en suisse, j'aimerai vous remercier pour la parfaite organisation de ce magnifique et extraordinaire voyage qui s'est parfaitement déroulé et dont nous garderons des souvenir inoubliables.

Encore un grand merci

Bien à vous"

- François T. (CH) about his private customised Nyiragongo lava lake and mountain gorillas expedition in May 2018)

The organisation throughout was brilliant, in an area where its anything but straightforward.

At the end of January 2018 the southern hornito was active again, creating a lava flow that fed the lava lake (image: Mike W)

Observing and photographing the lava lake at night (image: Mike W)

"Hi Ingrid,

I just wanted to thank you for a really great week last week. The lava lake was incredible - particularly at night, and while I hadn't been that fussed about seeing the mountain gorillas, they were pretty amazing so close-up and a real highlight.

Sam was outstanding throughout - he certainly had to put up with some slightly trickier times with his guests than I think he should have - but he kept an amazing sense of humour throughout and honestly did far more than anyone could reasonably have asked of him. Without doubt he's the best guide I've ever had on any trip and I learnt a huge amount about Rwanda from him.

The organisation throughout was brilliant, in an area where its anything but straightforward.

Thanks for giving me my first opportunity (definitely not my last) to see lava (and to hear it - particularly at night, which I thought was amazing!).
Can't wait to travel with you - and hopefully meet you in person - in the future."

- Mike W. (UK) about his Nyiragongo lava lake and mountain gorillas expedition in January 2018)

Nothing to complaint or suggest - just a big thank you!!!

"Dear Ingrid,

this was a very nice tour, which i enjoyed very much. Nothing to complaint or suggest - just a big thank you!!!
Preparation and info in advance by you (incl. very quick and useful answer of any question) and your team was perfect. Driving and management in Ruanda and Congo was excellent thanks to Samuel. Food was excellent too - also the one cooked at Nyirangongo.

We were lucky with the weather and got dry up and down Nyiragongo as well as to the Gorillas and back. The views from the crater edge down to the magma lake were magnificent during all 3 evenings spent up there. And watching the gorillas was also very spectacular.

Best Regards"

- Tobias F. (Germany) about his Nyiragongo lava lake and mountain gorillas expedition in January 2018)

The local staff were fantastic!

"Ingrid,

the local staff were fantastic. Sam - our main guide - was very reliable & handling local problems. The cook was excellent. The porters were very helpful when they saw people in trouble especially coming down Nyiragongo."

- Alan R. (UK) about his Nyiragongo lava lake and mountain gorillas expedition in January 2018)

I had a wonderful trip (thoroughly enjoyed it)

View across Nyiragongo´s summit caldera (image: Jay Ramji)

The glowing, bubbling lava lake around sunset (image: Jay Ramji)

Portrait of a mountain gorilla (image: Jay Ramji)

"Hello Ingrid, Tom,

Here is my feedback on the recent trip to DRC. ... I had a wonderful trip (thoroughly enjoyed it). Nyiragongo volcano was spectacular. Although you could see the side vent smoking away, there is no longer a lava fountain running into the main crater. At times there was high activity but you could also see the level of lava going down and then coming up again. Sometimes there was too much cloud/fog to see the crater but then it would clear and it was great to be able to see it in different light conditions. The volcano was a hard climb (~2000m altitude gain in one go is quite a lot), but not too bad. ...the climb down was much harder (due to steep slippery slopes covered in moss), ...
Seeing the gorillas was also wonderful and am glad of having had the opportunity to do so.

- Jay Ramji (UK) about his June 2016 Nyiragongo lava lake and mountain gorillas expedition

A truly enjoyable experience

The Volcano-Adventures group at the summit of Nyiragongo volcano in July 2016 (photo by Fadi A.)

"Dear Friends,

Please find below the link to the photos i took during our recent volcano adventure, which I would like to share.
It was a truly enjoyable experience, I am very grateful to all those who participated and facilitated the organization of this trip. Thanks—"

- Fadi A. (Jordan) about his Nyiragongo lava lake and mountain gorillas expedition in July 2016)

Trip was incredible!

Lava fountains of ca 150 m height from the 2011-2012 active flank vent eruption of Nyamuragira volcano, DR Congo

The trip was incredible and – this (extra excursion to erupting Nyamuragira) was most definitely a highlight. We were incredibly lucky – our viewpoint was better than when the eruption first started due to the orientation of the new cone..."

- Lorraine F (UK) about her January 2012 Nyiragongo Lava Lake & Mountain Gorillas expedition
to which an excursion to Nyamuragira was added as the volcano as then in an intensely active phase.

Die Reise war super! (Nyiragongo Vulkanexpedition)

"Hallo Tom,
...Ich bin Dir noch ein Feedback vom Nyiragongo schuldig:
Die Reise war super! Trotz nicht ganz Trockenzeit-konformer Witterung am Vulkan war die Sicht auf den Lavasee, der recht aktiv war, mehrmals sehr gut. Die Gorillas konnten wir aus geringer Distanz beobachten, und bei guter Witterung. In der Gruppe verstanden wir uns bestens (war ja auch nur eine Miniaturgruppe), und Sam hat uns bestens betreut. Auch der anschliessende Besuch im Akagera Nationalpark, auf dem mich Camilla Walter begleitet hat, war lohnenswert."

-Markus H. (Schweiz) zur seiner Sommer 2011 Nyiragongo Vulkanexpedition)

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Lava trees on the lava flow of 2002

$Honoré exchanging an automatic thermometer placed on a fracture$
Honoré exchanging an automatic thermometer placed on a fracture

Dismantling the camp

Orange flowers

The lava lake seen from the campsite

Encounter along a stop on our way...

Nyiragongo lava lake & mountain gorillas: tour photos July 2015 (16 Images)

Nyiragongo volcano & Mountain gorillas: tour photos of our June 2017 expedition (218 Images)

Nyiragongo volcano & Mountain gorillas: tour photos Jan 2018 by Michael Wareham (10 Images)

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Nyiragongo Lava Lake & Mountain Gorillas

8 days itinerary (2 nights on Nyiragongo)

Tour guide

Additional info

Physical requirements

8 days itinerary (2 nights on Nyiragongo)

Day 1

Arrival in Kigali (Rwanda)

Day 2

From Kigali (Rwanda) to Goma (DR Congo)

Day 3

Transfer to Kibumba camp

Day 4

Mountain gorilla tracking in Virunga National Park

Day 5

Climb to the summit of Nyiragongo volcano

Day 6

Full day at Nyiragongo's summit

Day 7

Descend from Nyiragongo - Goma Volcano Observatory

Day 8

Return to Kigali, departure (or own extension)

Tour Dates & Prices

Prices for tours at custom dates on request

Included:

Not included:

Discounts:

Add-ons:

'You have been great throughout the entire process with regard to communication and updates'

parfaite organisation de ce magnifique et extraordinaire voyage

The organisation throughout was brilliant, in an area where its anything but straightforward.

Nothing to complaint or suggest - just a big thank you!!!

The local staff were fantastic!

I had a wonderful trip (thoroughly enjoyed it)

A truly enjoyable experience

Trip was incredible!

Die Reise war super! (Nyiragongo Vulkanexpedition)

Requested tour:

Name and (billing) address of the main traveler (person responsible for the booking):

You can enter the names of up to 3 additional participants in your booking:

Additional information:

Finally...