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Nyiragongo Lava Lake

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

"Trip was incredible" (Lorraine F.)
Nyiragongo's lava lake as observed during our pilot tour in January 2006Street children near Goma
Location of Nyiragongo volcano and tour tinerary
Location of Nyiragongo volcano and tour tinerary
Starting the trek to the volcanoThe illuminated inner walls of the crater at night
Tour code: AFR_NGG
Tour type: Volcano expedition: adventure - photography - wildlife
Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 6-8 days

Dates:

Custom and group dates
no scheduled dates at present

Price (p.p.): $ 2845  ? 


Included:

  • Accommodation in double rooms with private bathrooms or tents
  • Full board (B, L, D) from dinner on arrival day in Kigali to breakfast on last day including 1 drink per meal
  • Private transport in 4WD safari vans with driver during the whole tour
  • Entrance fees to national parks
  • Porters, cook and assistants for camp
  • All camping equipment (except personal sleeping bag)
  • Experienced English-speaking guide
  • Volcanologist guide from Goma Volcano Observatory
  • Detailed accompanying material
Note: At the moment, we do not offer this expedition due to security concerns. As soon as the security situation in and around Goma has stabilized again to an acceptable level, we will restart expeditions to this volcano. You can contact us if you like to be included in a list of interested potential participants.

In the heart of this adventurous expedition is a camp for three nights on the rim of the giant crater of Nyiragongo volcano, above its violently active lava lake and trek through dense forest to observe some of the last mountain gorillas in the Virunga Volcanoes Park.
A visit of the volcano observatory and Goma city, where life goes on from the ashes of the volcanic destruction in 2002, beautiful scenery along the way, friendly people, good accommodation and food make this trip complete.
  • The largest and most active lava lake of the world
  • Beautiful trekking with many text-book quality volcanic features
  • Chance to see the last mountain gorillas

Nyiragongo & mountain gorillas (8-10 days)

Note:
The total length of your program depends on the flight options chosen. If your flight to Kigali is over night, you start one day earlier.
Due to changes in weather and volcanic activity and other unpredictable factors, the actual itinerary on location might have to be modified.
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali (Ruanda)
Meet on arrival at the airport in the morning/noon-time or evening (depending on chosen flight). Transfer to Kigali centre, overnight in good mid-class hotel. Depending on arrival time, visits in the city centre can be arranged.
Acc.: : hotel in Kigali (Rwanda) (D)
Day 2: Kigali-Goma
Transfer in private 4WD minibus through the beautiful landscape of Ruanda to the Congolese border, crossing to Goma.
Acc.: : hotel at lakeshore in Goma (B, L, D)
Day 3: Climb Nyiragongo volcano
Hike to the crater of Nyiragongo (5-6 hours) along an impressive trail through rainforest, the lava flows of 2002 and volcanic desert. Camp at the crater rim, observation of the lava lake.
Acc.: : Camp in tents on Nyiragongo (B, L, D)
Day 4-5: 2 full days on Nyiragongo volcano
Two full days to observe Nyiragongo's lava lake.
Acc.: : as before (camp on Nyiragongo) (B, L, D)
Day 6: Descend from Nyiragongo
Descend back from Nyiragongo, return to hotel for shower & lunch. Transfer to the starting point for the gorilla trekking next day.

Acc.: : comfortable lodge or guesthouse (B, L, D)
Day 7: Park National des Volcans - Mountain gorillas (g. g. beringei)
Trek through rain-forest to track and observe mountain gorillas (optional activity, gorilla ticket required in addition).
Acc.: : as before (Kinigi) (B, L, D)
Day 8: Back to Kigali, departure (or own extension)
Transfer back to Kigali and the airport, departure in afternoon / evening.
Acc.: : none (B)
Day 9: Arrival next day
Acc.: : none (B)

7 days itinerary (3 nights on Nyiragongo)

Note:
If you are not interested in the unique opportunity to visiting the mountain gorillas (once you are there), the itinererary is shortened by one day.
Day 1-5: Same as above (Day 1-5)
Day 6: Descend from Nyiragongo
Descend back from Nyiragongo, return to hotel for shower & lunch. Transfer to the starting point for the gorilla trekking next day.

Acc.: : comfortable lodge or guesthouse (B, L, D)
Day 7: Return to Kigali, departure (or own extension)
Transfer back to Kigali and the airport, departure in afternoon / evening.
Acc.: : none (B)

Arrival info:

The tour starts in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. Good connections to Kigali include Ethiopian airlines (partner of Lufthansa) via Addis, Kenya Airlines (KLM) via Nairobi and direct flights from Brussels offered by Sabena.

Lava trees on the lava flow of 2002
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
Dismantling the camp
Orange flowers
Orange flowers
The lava lake seen from the campsite
The lava lake seen from the campsite
Encounter along a stop on our way...
Encounter along a stop on our way...
Check out our destinations and tours!
Watch the experience of our last group on the side-trip to Nyamuragira (8 Jan):
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