Mount Nyiragongo Lava Lake : How To Visit The Mouth Of Hell Safely : In the Mount Nyiragongo Lava Lake, bubbling and flowing molten lava continuously carves beautiful patterns into the surface. Rare travelers who dare ascend the Nyiragongo stratovolcano in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are stunned by the ferociously burning lava lake. A photographer’s fantasy comes true when they spend the night at the edge of the Nyiragongo crater.
NYIRAGONGO FACTS:
- The Nyiragongo volcano is 3470 meters high.
- The lava lake’s greatest elevation is 3250 m, and its maximum depth is 600 m (prior 1977 eruption).
- 3,175 m and 2,975 m are the elevations of the cooled lava benches, which mark former lava lakes.
- It has erupted at least 34 times since 1882.
WORLD’S LARGEST LAVA LAKE IS STILL ACTIVE
Only seven lava lakes have been classified as “permanent” or “almost persistent” throughout the past several decades. Only four lava lakes—Mount Nyiragongo in the DRC, Erta Ale in Ethiopia, Kilauea in Hawaii, and Mount Erebus in Antarctica—are currently considered to be persistent and active. A lava lake requires a constant source of heat, which the eruptions provide.
With a maximum diameter of 700 meters, Mount Nyiragongo Lava Lake is the biggest lava lake in the entire world. Every eruption alters the environment, which causes variations in the lava lake’s size and depth. As the pressure inside the magmatic system beneath the volcano is correlated with the level of Nyiragongo Lava Lake, this information provides researchers with important insights into the magmatic activity. In plain English, Nyiragongo Lava Lake aids scientists in predicting future eruptions from Nyiragongo.
In 1977, the lava lake dramatically dried up in less than an hour, flooding towns and suffocating them. Technically, the 2002 eruption that gave rise to the Mount Nyiragongo Lava Lake activity is still ongoing. The elevations of earlier lava lakes are indicated by lava terraces on the crater walls.
You can see the churning lava lake at the bottom of the collapsed crater from the lip of the Nyiragongo volcano. The lava lake reminded me of a dynamic global map, with borders that were continually shifting and merging together. The lava lake boils and spits fire as the heated gases explode, and you can hear and watch it happen.
HOW TO GET TO MOUNT NYIRAGONGO, LAVA LAKE
The Nyiragongo volcano is located in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Virunga National Park, which is the oldest national park in Africa. Goma, the closest town, is 20 kilometers away by car. Goma is a border town in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which borders volatile Lake Kivu with Rwanda.
From the border town of Gisenyi in Rwanda, one can go by road to Goma. The runways of Goma’s international airport were covered in lava after Mt. Nyiragongo erupted in 2002. Commercial flights are still not operating as of right now.
A 4- to 6-hour guided climb from Kibati ranger station inside Virunga National Park leads to the summit of Mount Nyiragongo. The Nyiragongo summit may only be visited by one trekking group each day. Rangers with guns accompany each group.
HOW TO TREK NYIRAGONGO, ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS VOLCANOES IN THE WORLD
Starting at an elevation of 1989 meters, the Mount Nyiragongo Volcano Trek begins (Kibati ranger post). Acute mountain sickness is a possibility because the hikers must ascend to the top (at an elevation of 3470 meters) in about 4-6 hours.
Remember to bring clothing that is warm because temperatures frequently fall below freezing. The summit crater of Mount Nyiragongo volcano contains the lava lake. The vision is typically good at night. Scientists have traveled from the top of the caldera to its base, but it is obviously out of the question for casual tourists.
BEWARE LANDSLIDES AT THE NYIRAGONGO CRATER EDGE
Please use caution near the volcano’s rim, and don’t even consider making your way down to the lava lake. In 2007, a Chinese tourist perished after plummeting toward the Nyiragongo volcano. The rim’s edge has a wooden cross that serves as a reminder of her heartbreaking faith. She had walked 15 meters down the crater edge before falling, despite the guides’ cautions. Near where she collapsed, there were traces of the landslide.
IS IT SAFE TO VISIT MOUNT NYIRAGONGO LAVA LAKE AND VIRUNGA NATIONAL PARK IN 2023-2024?
No one can guarantee that it will be safe to visit Nyiragongo Lava Lake and the volcanic top because it is one of the most dangerous and active volcanoes in the world.
In the past few years, the security situation in the DRC has not been stable, particularly in the Virunga National Park. However, with Virunga being open to visitors once more, it is hoped that the additional security measures would make going to Nyiragongo Lava Lake once more safe.
In general, guided climbs to the Mount Nyiragongo volcano are thought to be secure for healthy tourists. For the residents nearby, the ongoing volcanic activity poses health dangers. Recently, deaths have also been linked to carbon dioxide.
TRAGIC AND VIOLENT INCIDENTS IN VIRUNGA NATIONAL PARK IN 2018
The local militia known as Mai-Mai kidnapped two British tourists and their Congolese driver in May 2018. A ranger at the Virunga National Park was killed while attempting to defend them. The visitors and their driver were ultimately freed, but the Virunga head warden made the decision to close the national park for three weeks. The head warden said in June that Virunga will be closed for the remainder of the year. Virunga is currently enhancing its security by educating and hiring new security personnel.
Prior to the terrible event in May 2018, there were at least 12 additional rangers killed during the preceding 10-month period, making it one of the bloodiest periods in Virunga’s history.
IS IT SAFE TO VISIT VIRUNGA NATIONAL PARK AND MOUNT NYIRAGONGO AFTER THE 2019 RE-OPENING?
Many visitors are unsure whether it is safe to travel to Mount Nyiragongo and Virunga National Park when it reopens in February. The management of Virunga National Park affirms that it is “following a careful examination of both the situation on the ground as well as the Park’s security standards.” The park authorities stand to lose a lot, so they would not have allowed visitors inside Virunga if it continued to be unsafe. The security situation is reportedly better currently than it was in 2018. This information comes from our contacts in the DRC.
Tourists can currently only explore Virunga’s stable regions. Up until further notice, only Mount Nyiragongo and gorilla treks are offered since rangers can ensure their security.
ERUPTIONS AND HAZARDS OF NYIRAGONGO VOLCANO
The lava in Mount Nyiragongo is more fluid than that in any other lava lake in the world because of its low silica content. The lava flow from the dangerous stratovolcano cone of Nyiragongo is the fastest in the world, reaching speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour.
The most recent fatal eruption occurred in 2002, devastating more than 15% of the city of Goma and leaving 147 people dead. A startling 40% of all volcanic eruptions in Africa are caused by Mount Nyiragongo and its little brother, Nyamuragira.
FINAL TIP: HOW TO GET A VISA TO THE DRC AND HIKING PERMIT MOUNT NYIRAGONGO LAVA LAKE
We advise making a reservation for the Nyiragongo trek through a Congolese travel agency, which can also handle your visa arrangements, meet you at the border, and provide transportation to the journey’s starting point. Obtaining a visa for the DRC without a travel agent is a nightmare.
Booking a Mount Nyiragongo hike package in advance through a travel agency is easier than attempting to do it directly with the national park. The packages come with meals, guides, porters, and trekking permits. If you haggle with your travel agency, the price difference is negligible, and the package offer will make your trip to the DRC much less stressful.
Please examine the DRC’s current security status before making travel arrangements to Nyiragongo Lava Lake and Goma. Have you been to Nyiragongo or another lava lake? Would you be brave enough to embark on such a fiery adventure?
