Nyiragongo volcano & Mountain gorillas: tour photos June 2017

Nyiragongo volcano & Mountain gorillas: tour photos of our June 2017 expedition

Ingrid Smet´s photo diary of our 4-11 June 2017 Nyiragongo lava lake and mountain gorillas expedition in Rwanda and DR Congo, as well as some safari images of the 2 days extension she afterwards undertook in Akagera National Park.

|| Gallery Index

Day 1 - Entrance to the Kigali Genocide Memorial in the capital of Rwanda (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 1 - Hundreds of fruit bats hanging out in certain trees in Kigali (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 1 - Fertile farmland on the outskirts of Rwanda´s capital (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 1 - In the land of a thousand hills, the capital is also spread across a number of valleys (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 1 - In the land of a thousand hills, the capital is also spread across a number of valleys (Phot... [info]
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Day 1 - Lunch in a nice local restaurant in Kigali (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 2 - Having left Kigali: looking back onto the capital in the background and a small local market on the foreground (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 2 - Having left Kigali: looking back onto the capital in the background and a small local market... [info]
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Day 2 - Rwandan women carrying the harvest from the fields to a local market (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 2 - View across Rwanda´s hilly countryside (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 2 - Beautiful scenery along the way from Kigali to Goma (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 2 - Local farmers´ market on the way to Goma (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 2 - Our guide Sam looking for the nicest bananas tot take with us (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 2 - Local transport for people and produce at the farmers´ market (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 2 - Rwandan women selling their harvest at the local farmers´ market (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 2 - Root vegetables are very popular and easily grown in western Rwanda (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 2 - Filling up the logistic vehicle with fresh local supplies for our Nyiragongo camping (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 2 - Filling up the logistic vehicle with fresh local supplies for our Nyiragongo camping (Photo... [info]
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Day 2 - Rwandan lady bringing her harvest to the local market in the traditional way (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 2 - Rwandan lady bringing her harvest to the local market in the traditional way (Photo: Ingrid ... [info]
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Day 2 - Hilly scenery of western Rwanda (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 2 - As Rwanda is Africa´s most densely populated country, its countryside is intensively used for agriculture (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 2 - As Rwanda is Africa´s most densely populated country, its countryside is intensively used fo... [info]
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Day 2 - One of many local ways of transport (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 2 - Buffet lunch with fresh fruit juice during our drive from Kigali to Goma (Photo: Ingrid Smet... [info]
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Day 2 - Typical cultivated Rwandan landscape (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 2 - Preparing the harvested carrots for transport (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 2 - At the ´little border´ between Rwanda and DR Congo which ten thousands of citizens cross on a daily basis (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 2 - At the ´little border´ between Rwanda and DR Congo which ten thousands of citizens cross on ... [info]
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Day 2 - Panorama for Lake Kivu taken from our hotel and looking towards Rwanda (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 3 - First clear view of Nyiragongo volcano (with Shaheru crater to the left) (Photo: Ingrid Smet... [info]
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Day 3 - Porters preparing for the hike up to the volcano´s summit (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 3 - Many porters come from the small Congolese village opposite Kibati control post, the start of the hike up Nyiragongo (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 3 - Many porters come from the small Congolese village opposite Kibati control post, the start o... [info]
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Day 3 - Bicyle at the porters´ village (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 3 - The bright blue border plates of Virunga National Park at the Kibati post (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 3 - The bright blue border plates of Virunga National Park at the Kibati post (Photo: Ingrid Sme... [info]
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Day 3 - The first part of the hike up Nyiragongo (from 2000 to ca. 2250 masl) is mostly through shaded rain forest (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 3 - The first part of the hike up Nyiragongo (from 2000 to ca. 2250 masl) is mostly through shad... [info]
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Day 3 - First short resting stop on the trek to the volcano´s summit (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 3 - At the start and each resting point, the head ranger of Virunga National Park explains the next part of the hike (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 3 - At the start and each resting point, the head ranger of Virunga National Park explains the n... [info]
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Day 3 - As vegetation gets more scarce we follow the path on loose lava material from old eruptions (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 3 - As vegetation gets more scarce we follow the path on loose lava material from old eruptions ... [info]
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Day 3 - Looking back fron Nyiragongo´s lower flank towards Rwanda (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 3 - Marcelling, the Goma volcanologist who accompanies us on Nyiragongo, found a lava bomb (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 3 - Marcelling, the Goma volcanologist who accompanies us on Nyiragongo, found a lava bomb (Phot... [info]
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Day 3 - the second part of the hike (ca 2250 - 2500 m asl) is less shaded and over loose volcanic deposits (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 3 - the second part of the hike (ca 2250 - 2500 m asl) is less shaded and over loose volcanic de... [info]
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Day 3 - View from Nyiragongo´s lower flank to the flat rift valley and beyond the hills of Rwanda and Karisimbi volcano (left) (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 3 - View from Nyiragongo´s lower flank to the flat rift valley and beyond the hills of Rwanda an... [info]
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Day 3 - Hiking up the lower slopes of Nyiragongo volcano (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 3 - Halfway through the hike we get a clearer view towards the volcano´s large truncated summit cone (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 3 - Halfway through the hike we get a clearer view towards the volcano´s large truncated summit ... [info]
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$Day 3 - The third resting point at ca 2750 m asl is near the large fracture from which the fissure eruption on Nyiragongo´s southern slopes occurred in 2002 (Photo: Ingrid Smet)$

Day 3 - The third resting point at ca 2750 m asl is near the large fracture from which the fissure e... [info]
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Day 3 - Many of Nyiragongo´s lavas have radial clusters of white prismatic crystals of nepheline, a mineral typical for silica undersatured magmas (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 3 - Many of Nyiragongo´s lavas have radial clusters of white prismatic crystals of nepheline, a ... [info]
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Day 3 - Continuing the hike up Nyiragongo we sporadically pass through some more densely vegetated areas (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 3 - Continuing the hike up Nyiragongo we sporadically pass through some more densely vegetated a... [info]
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Day 3 - The last ca 200 m from the fourth resting point are straight up the steep upper slopes of the volcano´s summit - note the silhouettes of the huts which are the final destination (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 3 - The last ca 200 m from the fourth resting point are straight up the steep upper slopes of th... [info]
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Day 3 - On Nyiragongo we camp in the simple A-frame huts provided for by Virunga National Park (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 3 - On Nyiragongo we camp in the simple A-frame huts provided for by Virunga National Park (Phot... [info]
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Day 3 - View from the summit camp site, with some huts on the foreground, Shaheru crater in the centre and Lake Kivu in the background (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 3 - View from the summit camp site, with some huts on the foreground, Shaheru crater in the cent... [info]
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Day 3 - At ca. 3400 m asl it can be rather cold, humid and windy on the volcano´s summit - but there is always a fire burning and some hot tea in our ´dining room´ (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 3 - At ca. 3400 m asl it can be rather cold, humid and windy on the volcano´s summit - but there... [info]
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Day 3 - Sitting on the crater rim waiting for the clouds and volcanic gasses to lift for a first view into the caldera (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 3 - Sitting on the crater rim waiting for the clouds and volcanic gasses to lift for a first vie... [info]
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Day 3 - When the clouds around the summit are gone, we can see the lights of Goma city at the shore of Lake Kivu (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 3 - When the clouds around the summit are gone, we can see the lights of Goma city at the shore ... [info]
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Day 3 - As the view inside the caldera becomes more clear we can see the red glow of the active lava lake reflecting in the volcanic gasses above (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 3 - As the view inside the caldera becomes more clear we can see the red glow of the active lava... [info]
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Day 3 - Pattern of the cracked thin crust on above the glowing hot lava (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 3 - At different locations, the lava lake´s surface is broken up by large gas bubbles rising up and exploding at the surface (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 3 - At different locations, the lava lake´s surface is broken up by large gas bubbles rising up ... [info]
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Day 3 - Exploding gas bubbles fragment the lava lake´s red hot liquid and create Pele´s hair (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 3 - Exploding gas bubbles fragment the lava lake´s red hot liquid and create Pele´s hair (Photo:... [info]
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Day 4 - The western part of the summit caldera bathing in first sunlight (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 4 - Panorama of Nyiragongo´s summit caldera after sunrise on 7 June 2017 (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 4 - Group breakfast in our ´dining room´ under the older wooden hut structures that had been previously put up for camping (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 4 - Group breakfast in our ´dining room´ under the older wooden hut structures that had been pre... [info]
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Day 4 - View from Nyiragongo´s summit down to Shaheru crater - and the camp toilets in the centre right (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 4 - View from Nyiragongo´s summit down to Shaheru crater - and the camp toilets in the centre ri... [info]
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Day 4 - One of the Congolese craws that fly around the summit (hoping for some kitchen scraps) (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 4 - One of the Congolese craws that fly around the summit (hoping for some kitchen scraps) (Phot... [info]
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Day 4 - Marcellin, the Goma volcanologist who accompanies us during our stay on Nyiragongo, explains about the volcano´s history, structure. dangers and advantages (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 4 - Marcellin, the Goma volcanologist who accompanies us during our stay on Nyiragongo, explains... [info]
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Day 4 - Overview of the central part of Nyiragongo´s summit caldera (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 4 - Zoom onto the still smoking 2016 hornito (right) and the dark brown lava flows it erupted and which meandered towards the crater with the active lava lake (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 4 - Zoom onto the still smoking 2016 hornito (right) and the dark brown lava flows it erupted an... [info]
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Day 4 - View onto the southeastern inner caldera wall, where fumaroles rise from the southern fissure (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 4 - View onto the southeastern inner caldera wall, where fumaroles rise from the southern fissur... [info]
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Day 4 - Standing on the rim of Nyiragongo´s summit caldera! (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 4 - Observing the lava lake during the daytime (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 4 - Hiking back from the morning observation point to the summit campsite (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 4 - Our camping cook Benjamin doing his magic in a small tented kitchen (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 4 - Freshly cooked lunch on Nyiragongo´s summit (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 4 - Afternoon observations: as the clouds slowly lift and the volcanic gasses are blown into the other direction we can see the red glow of the lava lake (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 4 - Afternoon observations: as the clouds slowly lift and the volcanic gasses are blown into the... [info]
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Day 4 - Through the haze of volcanic gasses we see large lava bubbles exploding at the lake´s surface (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 4 - Through the haze of volcanic gasses we see large lava bubbles exploding at the lake´s surfac... [info]
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Day 4 - The view onto the lava lake´s surface and small fountains becomes better as daylight fades (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 4 - The view onto the lava lake´s surface and small fountains becomes better as daylight fades (... [info]
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Day 4 - The edge of the lava lake is often the location of spattering fountains (Photo: Ingrid Smet... [info]
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Day 4 - Late afternoon observation of the lavlake (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 4 - Preparing the tripods for the evening observation in the hope that the clouds and volcanic gasses (right) will soon disappear (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 4 - Preparing the tripods for the evening observation in the hope that the clouds and volcanic g... [info]
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Day 4 - The glow of the lava lake has pink and purple hues around dusk (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 4 - After dinner observations are difficult as the lava lake is strongly degassing and the plumes are often blown into our direction (instead of more straight up like in this image) (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 4 - After dinner observations are difficult as the lava lake is strongly degassing and the plume... [info]
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Day 4 - Geometric pattern of the lava lake´s crust seen in between volcanic gas plumes (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 4 - Geometric pattern of the lava lake´s crust seen in between volcanic gas plumes (Photo: Ingri... [info]
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Day 4 - Large explosion of a gas bubble at the surface of the lava lake. The gasses and clouds become too thick so we decide to get some sleep and return later in the night (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 4 - Large explosion of a gas bubble at the surface of the lava lake. The gasses and clouds becom... [info]
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Day 5 - In the early hours of our second night, the clouds have lifted and the gass plumes are mainly directed upwards, allowing a clearer view onto the boiling lava lake below us (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 5 - In the early hours of our second night, the clouds have lifted and the gass plumes are mainl... [info]
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Day 5 - Starry night sky above the steep caldera walls illuminated by the lava lake´s red glow (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 5 - Starry night sky above the steep caldera walls illuminated by the lava lake´s red glow (Phot... [info]
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Day 5 - Nighttime photography of the lava lake from the summit caldera rim (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 5 - Nyiragongo´s lava lake at dawn (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 5 - Photographers trying to catch the different light and colours which quickly succeed one another once dawn breaks (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 5 - Photographers trying to catch the different light and colours which quickly succeed one anot... [info]
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Day 5 - Whilst the red hot glow is still very strong inside the dark caldera, the eastern sky becomes flooded with light (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 5 - Whilst the red hot glow is still very strong inside the dark caldera, the eastern sky become... [info]
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Day 5 - Nyiragongo´s actively bubbling lava lake around dawn on our second morning in the volcano´s summit (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 5 - Nyiragongo´s actively bubbling lava lake around dawn on our second morning in the volcano´s ... [info]
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Day 5 - View of the western caldera walls and active lava lake before sunrise (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 5 - Sunlight floods the eastern sky above the summit caldera (silhouette of Mikeno volcano to the right) (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 5 - Sunlight floods the eastern sky above the summit caldera (silhouette of Mikeno volcano to th... [info]
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Day 5 - Silhouettes of Mikeno (left) and Karisimbi (right) volcanoes behind Nyiragongo´s eastern caldera rim (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 5 - Silhouettes of Mikeno (left) and Karisimbi (right) volcanoes behind Nyiragongo´s eastern cal... [info]
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$Day 5 - Volcanic gas plumes drift upwards from the active fumaroles in the southern fracture zone that cuts through the steep inner caldera cliffs (Photo: Ingrid Smet)$

Day 5 - Volcanic gas plumes drift upwards from the active fumaroles in the southern fracture zone th... [info]
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Day 5 - Watching the sun rise between Mikeno and Karisimbi (right) volcano (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 5 - morning view of the central part of Nyiragongo´s summit caldera and its active lava lake (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 5 - morning view of the central part of Nyiragongo´s summit caldera and its active lava lake (Ph... [info]
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Day 5 - Panorama across Nyiragongo´s summit caldera around sunrise on the 2nd morning (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 5 - Panorama across Nyiragongo´s summit caldera around sunrise on the 2nd morning (Photo: Ingrid... [info]
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Day 5 - Walking back from the sunrise view point to the camp site (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 5 - View from the caldera rim across the camping huts to Shaheru crater (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 5 - The first sunlight illuminating the inner caldera walls brings out the different colours and patterns of the many volcanic deposits that form these cliffs (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 5 - The first sunlight illuminating the inner caldera walls brings out the different colours and... [info]
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Day 5 - Local plants growing on Nyiragongo´s summit (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 5 - Our cook Benjamin starting the preparations for lunch (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 5 - Once the sun is up over the caldera it is much more difficult to see the lava lake´s surface through the thick gas plumes (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 5 - Once the sun is up over the caldera it is much more difficult to see the lava lake´s surface... [info]
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Day 5 - Observing the lava lake in the morning (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 5 - small (dead) snake that we discovered among the lava rocks on the caldera rim (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 5 - small (dead) snake that we discovered among the lava rocks on the caldera rim (Photo: Ingrid... [info]
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Day 5 - Short morning hike towards the western part of the caldera rim (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 5 - Photographing Nyiragongo´s summit caldera from a different viewpoint (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 5 - Exploding gas bubbles push through the lava lake´s surface... (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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day 5 - ...making small lava fountains that propel small drops and thin threads of lava into the air... (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

day 5 - ...making small lava fountains that propel small drops and thin threads of lava into the air... [info]
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Day 5 - ... some of which are further spun out by the wind into Pele´s hair (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 5 - Closer view of the still smoking 2016 hornito and the fumaroles in the platform behind it (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 5 - Closer view of the still smoking 2016 hornito and the fumaroles in the platform behind it (P... [info]
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Day 5 - Hiking along and photographing from Nyiragongo´s summit caldera rim (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 5 - Exploding gas bubble at the edge of the lava lake (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 5 - Nyiragongo´s lava lake during the day time is often partially obscured by the gas plumes it emanates (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 5 - Nyiragongo´s lava lake during the day time is often partially obscured by the gas plumes it ... [info]
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Day 5 - Although some parts of the caldera rim used to be vegetated, volcanic gases killed off these bushes in more recent times (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 5 - Although some parts of the caldera rim used to be vegetated, volcanic gases killed off these... [info]
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Day 5 - Daytime view of the spattering lava fountains on the lake´s surfce (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 5 - Gas bubbles explode and break through the lava lake´s surface (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 5 - View onto the inner cliffs of the southern part of the caldera, with the campsite on top (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 5 - View onto the inner cliffs of the southern part of the caldera, with the campsite on top (Ph... [info]
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Day 5 - The entire campsite on Nyiragongo´s summit caldera (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 5 - Spending time at our huts during the cloudy afternoon hours (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 5 - As the light grows more faint towards the evening, the red glow of the lava lake becomes once again better visible (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 5 - As the light grows more faint towards the evening, the red glow of the lava lake becomes onc... [info]
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Day 5 - Late afternoon view across the western part of the caldera and the lava lake on our second full day on Nyiragongo´s summit (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 5 - Late afternoon view across the western part of the caldera and the lava lake on our second f... [info]
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Day 5 - Small lava fountains at the edge of the lake (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 5 - Edge of the lava lake with its orange red crack pattern and bubbling lava (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 5 - Edge of the lava lake with its orange red crack pattern and bubbling lava (Photo: Ingrid Sm... [info]
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Day 5 - Larger gas bubble exploding through the lava lake surface (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 5 - Sunset pink hues of the lava lake´s glow reflected on the gas plumes (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 5 - Nyiragongo´s lava lake after sunset (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 5 - Dusk colours across Nyiragongo´s caldera and lava lake (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 6 - Last breakfast on Nyiragongo´s summit (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 6 - All set and ready to start the descent back down to the starting point at Kibati patrol post (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 6 - All set and ready to start the descent back down to the starting point at Kibati patrol post... [info]
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Day 6 - One of the Virunga National Park rangers who escorts the group on the daily descent from the volcano´s summit (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 6 - One of the Virunga National Park rangers who escorts the group on the daily descent from the... [info]
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Day 6 - At the bottom of the first steep 200 m of the hike back down from the summit (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 6 - At the bottom of the first steep 200 m of the hike back down from the summit (Photo: Ingrid ... [info]
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Day 6 - Some of out porters at one of the rest point, they left their village at 3 am to arrive on the summit by 6 am and then come down with us again (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 6 - Some of out porters at one of the rest point, they left their village at 3 am to arrive on t... [info]
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Day 6 - Hiking down across the older volcanic deposits on Nyiragongo´s lower slopes (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 6 - Hiking down across the older volcanic deposits on Nyiragongo´s lower slopes (Photo: Ingrid S... [info]
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Day 6 - Virunga National Park ranger proudly wearing the park´s emblem (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 6 - Group photo at the starting point of the Nyiragongo summit hike after we all got safely back down (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 6 - Group photo at the starting point of the Nyiragongo summit hike after we all got safely back... [info]
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Day 6 - Colourful Congolese houses near the Kibati patrol post (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 6 - Street view on the road back to Goma (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 6 - The wooden bike is the symbol of Goma and very important for those Congolese who own one as it is used to transport all kinds of products (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 6 - The wooden bike is the symbol of Goma and very important for those Congolese who own one as ... [info]
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Day 6 - Street market in Goma town (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 6 - colourful cafe and food store in Goma (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 6 - Vehicle at the Goma Volcano Observatory (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 6 - Studying the geological map of Nyiragongo and the volcano´s seismic signal at the Goma Volcano Observatory (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 6 - Studying the geological map of Nyiragongo and the volcano´s seismic signal at the Goma Volca... [info]
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Day 6 - One of the Goma Volcano Observatory scientists explains us the different monitoring methods they use to track changes in the volcano´s activity and behaviour (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 6 - One of the Goma Volcano Observatory scientists explains us the different monitoring methods ... [info]
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Day 6 - Volcano alert level plates stacked at Goma Volcano Observatory until they will be placed around the town of Goma and surrounding villages (the green status is thereby never possible with two active volcanoes so near) (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 6 - Volcano alert level plates stacked at Goma Volcano Observatory until they will be placed aro... [info]
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Day 6 - After the Goma Volcano Observatory visit we are ready to return to the hotel at the shore of Lake Kivu - and happy with the prospect of a shower?! (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 6 - After the Goma Volcano Observatory visit we are ready to return to the hotel at the shore of... [info]
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Day 6 - Lake Kivu in the afternoon sunlight, looking towards the Rwandan shoreline (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 6 - Lake Kivu in the afternoon sunlight, looking towards the Rwandan shoreline (Photo: Ingrid Sm... [info]
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Day 7 - Dawn colours over lake Kivu - and one of the grey crowned cranes that are kept on the hotel grounds (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 7 - Dawn colours over lake Kivu - and one of the grey crowned cranes that are kept on the hotel ... [info]
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Day 7 - Early morning street view in Goma with Nyiragongo´s silhouette in the background (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 7 - Early morning street view in Goma with Nyiragongo´s silhouette in the background (Photo: Ing... [info]
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Day 7 - Nyiragongo towers over the city of Goma and its inhabitants starting out on a new day (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 7 - Nyiragongo towers over the city of Goma and its inhabitants starting out on a new day (Photo... [info]
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Day 7 - On a clear day, Nyiragongo´s truncated summit also dominates the surrounding landscape (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 7 - On a clear day, Nyiragongo´s truncated summit also dominates the surrounding landscape (Phot... [info]
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Day 7 - Silhouette of the Nyiragongo massif and its 3 overlapping cones: the southern Shaheru crater (left), the main Nyiragongo crater (central) and northern Baruta crater (right). (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 7 - Silhouette of the Nyiragongo massif and its 3 overlapping cones: the southern Shaheru crater... [info]
(210 Hits)

Day 7 - changing a flat tire on the rough road from Goma to the starting point of the gorilla tracking (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 7 - changing a flat tire on the rough road from Goma to the starting point of the gorilla tracki... [info]
(168 Hits)

Day 7 - Hazy silhouette of Nyamuragira, Nyiragongo´s volcanic neighbour which is an active shield volcano (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 7 - Hazy silhouette of Nyamuragira, Nyiragongo´s volcanic neighbour which is an active shield vo... [info]
(188 Hits)

Day 7 - Virunga National Park´s logo on one of their jeeps (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(185 Hits)

Day 7 - Patrol post at the start of the mountain gorilla tracking on the lower slopes of Mikeno volcano (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 7 - Patrol post at the start of the mountain gorilla tracking on the lower slopes of Mikeno volc... [info]
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Day 7 - View onto Mikeno volcano on the first part of the hike towards the Natural Park boundary (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 7 - View onto Mikeno volcano on the first part of the hike towards the Natural Park boundary (Ph... [info]
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Day 7 - It later turned out that we had the furthest away mountain gorilla family so that we spend 1h45 minutes walking across the highlands with views to Karisimbi (left) and Mikeno (right)... (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 7 - It later turned out that we had the furthest away mountain gorilla family so that we spend 1... [info]
(199 Hits)

Day 7 - ... as well as crossing through countless small villages and cultivated fields... (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 7 - ... as well as crossing through countless small villages and cultivated fields... (Photo: In... [info]
(173 Hits)

Day 7 - ...where we received a great deal of curious attention from the local farmers´ children... (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 7 - ...where we received a great deal of curious attention from the local farmers´ children... (... [info]
(152 Hits)

day 7 - ...before we reached the edge of the Virunga National Park from where we spent another hour tracking the gorillas through the local rain forest... (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

day 7 - ...before we reached the edge of the Virunga National Park from where we spent another hour ... [info]
(178 Hits)

Day 7 - ...but the effort was all worth it when we got to see this baby gorilla hiding close to his/her mother! (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 7 - ...but the effort was all worth it when we got to see this baby gorilla hiding close to his/... [info]
(186 Hits)

Day 7 - Our mountain gorilla family had a few youngsters, out of which this kid was surely the most active and playful (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 7 - Our mountain gorilla family had a few youngsters, out of which this kid was surely the most ... [info]
(213 Hits)

Day 7 - Two mountain gorilla kids not at all minding the small group of humans closeby... (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 7 - Two mountain gorilla kids not at all minding the small group of humans closeby... (Photo: In... [info]
(232 Hits)

Day 7 - ... and completely loosing themselves in their plays (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(203 Hits)

Day 7 - This Virunga National Park ranger has visited this particular family almost every day over the past 2 years and hence knows them well enough to get close by to clear the view for the travelers (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 7 - This Virunga National Park ranger has visited this particular family almost every day over t... [info]
(227 Hits)

Day 7 - Young mountain gorilla playing on the back of his dad the silverback (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 7 - Mother mountain gorilla and father silverback lying around (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 7 - Close up of one of the silverbacks of the family (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 7 - Mother and child, with the latter always much more interested in those humans (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 7 - Mother and child, with the latter always much more interested in those humans (Photo: Ingrid... [info]
(183 Hits)

Day 7 - Before going near the mountain gorillas, everyone is obliged to wear a mouth mask to reduce the risk of passing on any human diseases to these primates (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 7 - Before going near the mountain gorillas, everyone is obliged to wear a mouth mask to reduce ... [info]
(210 Hits)

Day 7 - One can get really close to the rather peaceful and lazy mountain gorillas of Virunga National Park (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 7 - One can get really close to the rather peaceful and lazy mountain gorillas of Virunga Nation... [info]
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Day 7 - Protrait of a mountain gorilla mother seemingly lost in thoughts (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 7 - Hiking back to the starting point for the gorilla tracking, through small local villages (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 7 - Hiking back to the starting point for the gorilla tracking, through small local villages (Ph... [info]
(198 Hits)

Day 7 - Congolese children herding goats on the lower flanks of Mikeno volcano (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(186 Hits)

Day 7 - Hiking back to the park patrol post through the fields and green highlands (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 7 - Hiking back to the park patrol post through the fields and green highlands (Photo: Ingrid Sm... [info]
(170 Hits)

Day 7 - A field of climbing beans with behind it Mikeno´s summit in the clouds (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(176 Hits)

Day 7 - As in Rwanda, as much of the countryside is being cultivated as possible, including small scoria cones with fertile volcanic soils such as this one (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 7 - As in Rwanda, as much of the countryside is being cultivated as possible, including small sc... [info]
(164 Hits)

Day 7 - Our motorcylce Virunga National Park escort accompanying us on the way back to Goma, with Mikeno volcano in the background (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 7 - Our motorcylce Virunga National Park escort accompanying us on the way back to Goma, with Mi... [info]
(175 Hits)

Day 7 - View along the side of the road in a Congolese town between Rumangabo and Goma (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 7 - View along the side of the road in a Congolese town between Rumangabo and Goma (Photo: Ingri... [info]
(167 Hits)

Day 7 - Late afternoon light on Mikeno (left) and Karisimbi (right) volcanoes (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 8 - Rwandan scenery along the road back to Kigali (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(146 Hits)

Day 8 - From across parts of Kigali from the goodbye lunch location (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(148 Hits)

Akagera NP extension - bird (black-bellied bustard) during late afternoon game drive (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Akagera NP extension - bird (black-bellied bustard) during late afternoon game drive (Photo: Ingrid ... [info]
(172 Hits)

Akagera NP extension - A group of impala´s disturbed by our late afternoon game drive (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Akagera NP extension - A group of impala´s disturbed by our late afternoon game drive (Photo: Ingrid... [info]
(172 Hits)

Akagera NP extension - Grey headed king fisher around dusk (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(173 Hits)

Akagera NP extension - Dawn above Lake Ihema, Rwanda´s second largest lake located at the border with Tanzania (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Akagera NP extension - Dawn above Lake Ihema, Rwanda´s second largest lake located at the border wit... [info]
(142 Hits)

Akagera NP extension - Our main guide and driver for the volcano expedition, Sam, is also guiding us through Akagera National Park which he seems to know like the back of his hand (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Akagera NP extension - Our main guide and driver for the volcano expedition, Sam, is also guiding us... [info]
(132 Hits)

Akagera NP extension - zebras! (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(149 Hits)

Akagera NP extension - Small pond with numerous weaver birds´nests in the small bush at the edge of the water (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Akagera NP extension - Small pond with numerous weaver birds´nests in the small bush at the edge of ... [info]
(146 Hits)

Akagera NP extension - enjoying our game drive crossing the entire park from north to south (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Akagera NP extension - enjoying our game drive crossing the entire park from north to south (Photo: ... [info]
(142 Hits)

Akagera NP extension - warthog (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(121 Hits)

Akagera NP extension - staring female impala (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(155 Hits)

Akagera NP extension - wading bird (African wattled lapwing) (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(127 Hits)

Akagera NP extension - hippos! (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(124 Hits)

Akagera NP extension - View of the grass savanna in the northern part of the park (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Akagera NP extension - View of the grass savanna in the northern part of the park (Photo: Ingrid Sme... [info]
(136 Hits)

Akagera NP extension - wide grassland savanna in the northern sector of the park (Photo: Ingrid Smet... [info]
(126 Hits)

Akagera NP extension - snake on the road (young black mamba) (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(165 Hits)

Akagera NP extension - giraffe (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(147 Hits)

Akagera NP extension - staring giraffe (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(137 Hits)

Akagera NP extension - female waterbuck (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(116 Hits)

Akagera NP extension - view across the savanna to Lake Ihema and Tanzania beyond (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Akagera NP extension - view across the savanna to Lake Ihema and Tanzania beyond (Photo: Ingrid Sme... [info]
(124 Hits)

Akagera NP extension - typical park road, 4WD recommended (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(177 Hits)

AAkagera NP extension - elephant (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(155 Hits)

Akagera NP extension - elephants on the move (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(139 Hits)

Akagera NP extension - Hippos resting on the land with a wading bird (cormorant) (Photo: Ingrid Smet... [info]
(137 Hits)

Akagera NP extension - evening view across lake Ihema (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(117 Hits)

Akagera NP extension - late afternoon game drive in the park (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(132 Hits)

Akagera NP extension - a pair of grey crowned cranes finding a sleeping spot for the night (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Akagera NP extension - a pair of grey crowned cranes finding a sleeping spot for the night (Photo: I... [info]
(160 Hits)

Akagera NP extension - light of dusk over lake Ihema (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(133 Hits)

Akagera NP extension - fellow 4WD jeep (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(127 Hits)

Akagera NP extension - woodland kingfisher (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(115 Hits)

Akagera NP extension - paradise kingfisher (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(163 Hits)

Akagera NP extension - pied kingfisher (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(140 Hits)

Akagera NP extension - black cormorants (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(129 Hits)

Akagera NP extension - monitor lizard at the shore of Lake Ihema (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(142 Hits)

Akagera NP extension - goliath heron (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(130 Hits)

Akagera NP extension - quickly escaping Nile crocodiles (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(156 Hits)

Akagera NP extension - wading bird (egret) (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(135 Hits)

Akagera NP extension - comorant mother with a nest of 2 chicks (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(120 Hits)

Akagera NP extension - African fish eagle (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(124 Hits)

Akagera NP extension - the closest we (think) we got to the park´s lions that have been recently reintroduced (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Akagera NP extension - the closest we (think) we got to the park´s lions that have been recently rei... [info]
(152 Hits)

Akagera NP extension - drving to the park´s exit (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(138 Hits)

Akagera NP extension - bananas everywhere! (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(141 Hits)

Akagera NP extension - Kigali traffic (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(144 Hits)

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Nyiragongo volcano & Mountain gorillas: tour photos of our June 2017 expedition