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Nyiragongo Lava Lake
- 8-days volcano expedition to Nyiragongo volcano & mountain gorillas in the Virunga Park -
 
Highlights
 | 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 |
 Location of Nyiragongo volcano and tour tinerary
In short
Tour code: AFR_NGG
Tour type: Volcano tour: adventure - photography - wildlife
Difficulty:
Tour character: Expedition character: ca. 500 km transfers in comfortable 4x4 safari vehicles, climb 1400 m to camp 3 nights at 3400 m a.s.l. on top of Nyiragongo crater, trek through rain forest to track gorillas.
Best travel period: Jan-Feb + June-August
Duration: 6-8 days
Dates:
Custom and scheduled dates no scheduled dates at present
Price (p.p.): from 1425 EUR p.P
(1-12 participants / prices for smaller or larger groups on request.)
Included: | Accommodation in double rooms with private bathrooms or tents (no facilties)
| | Full board from beginning to end
| | Private transport in 4WD safari vans with driver during the whole tour
| | Entrance fees to national parks
| | Experienced English-speaking driver guide
| | VolcanoDiscovery volcanologist guide (on group tours and on request)
| | Gorilla ticket (in 8-day version only)
| | Detailed accompanying material |
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.
 
We are happy to announce that we can now resume expeditions to Nyiragongo volcano, after the security situation in and around Goma has stabilized again to an acceptable level.
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.
7 days itinerary (3 nights on Nyiragongo)
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)
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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)
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Day 3: |
Climb Nyiaragongo 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)
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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)
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Day 6: |
Descend from Nyiragongo - Goma town and Volcano Observatory
Descend back from Nyiragongo, return to hotel for shower & lunch. Visit Goma town and the Goma Volcano Observatory.
Acc.: comfortable lodge or guesthouse near the Virunga park (B, L, D)
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Day 7: |
Return to Kigali, departure (or own extension)
Transfer back to Kigali and the airport, departure in afternoon / evening.
Acc.: none (B)
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Note:
As an optional extension, we recommend adding a day or two to visit of the mountain gorillas in Rwanda.
Nyiragongo & mountain gorillas 8 days
Day 1-5: |
Same as above (Day 1-5)
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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)
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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)
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Day 8: |
Back to Kigali, departure (or own extension)
Transfer back to Kigali and the airport, departure in afternoon / evening.
Acc.: none (B)
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Lava trees on the lava flow of 2002
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Honoré exchanging an automatic thermometer placed on a fracture
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Dismantling the camp
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Orange flowers
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The lava lake seen from the campsite
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Encounter along a stop on our way...
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