Nyiragongo volcano is one of the iconic attractions within the Virunga Regions, D.R. Congo. Located in Virunga National Park (VNP) Congo, Nyiragongo is a powerful volcano renowned for its multiple eruptions, with the most recent one experienced in 2021. At its summit, there is a bubbling lava lake that will take your breath away, making your 3-day Nyiragongo tour a special experience.
Virunga National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for its remarkable biodiversity. Established in 1925, Virunga Park is home not only to the rare mountain gorillas but also to chimpanzees, bongo antelopes, buffaloes, elephants, 706 bird species, okapis, and more. On this short trip, your main goal will be hiking to the summit of Nyiragongo, one of the world’s most active volcanoes.
Tour Details
Day 1: Kigali City Tour, Drive to DRC
Meet and greet your trip leader at a hotel in Kigali. From your hotel, set off for a 2-hour Kigali city expedition, visiting the Gisozi Genocide Center, the Presidential Palace Museum, Kimironko Market, and craft shops. Enjoy a leisurely lunch, then leave Kigali to cross the border to Goma. En route, you will see Rwanda’s charming countryside, characterized by rolling hills and Lake Kivu. Clear with Congo authorities at the border, and transfer to your respective hotel or lodge for evening relaxation, dinner, and an overnight stay.
Day 2: Kibati for Briefing & Ascending to Nyiragongo Summit
Leave your hotel for a briefing at Kibati Patrol Post, where a guide will be allocated to lead you to the Nyiragongo summit. The trek will take 4-6 hours, offering rewarding views from the very start until you reach the top at 3,470 meters. At the summit, the powerful bubbling lava lake will be clearly visible. With your cameras ready, you have a long evening and night to capture pictures and explore more about its formation as the guide provides detailed information.
For this long-day adventure to the top of Nyiragongo, bring bottled water, energy-giving snacks to keep you energized, waterproof hiking boots, cameras, a daypack, long-sleeved shirts, trousers, a safari hat, insect repellents, a first aid kit, and a walking stick.
Day 3: Descending from Nyiragongo Summit & Kigali
Begin descending from the summit of Nyiragongo to Kibati, where you began your adventure the previous day. Meet your driver-guide and start your journey back to Kigali, where you will be dropped off at a hotel or the airport.
