FAQ
Most of the travelers visiting mount Nyiragongo, ask several questions before they visit the places and Visit Nyiragongo a resource tourism information site has answered most of the questions that you would have in mind before you start planning your safari. Listed below are the questions that one would ask him or her self and answers are provided.
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How to Apply Congo Visa and Border Crossing?
As it is a requirement to enter any country in the world you must have a Visa, for all travelers to Democratic Republic of Congo to visit Nyiragongo or Congo gorilla trek, one should first purchase the Nyiragongo volcano hiking permit or Virunga gorilla trekking permit. This should be purchased from the Virunga reservation office in Goma and as soon as you have bought any of these permits you will be requested to send the $ 100 USD to acquire a tourist Visa, send your passport details and after the a proved Visa form will be sent to you and print this or your local tour company arranging this trip will print it for you and upon arrival you must present this document with your valid passport and Yellow Fever Certificate to the custom office of DRC Congo in Goma and within 30 minutes you will receive a stamp. After the Virunga jeep will be there at the border waiting to you and transfer you to the Virunga reservation office and after transfer you to the Kibati Patrol starting point.
All the trips to DRC Congo start from Rwanda and please apply a multiple visa to cross over to Democratic Republic of Congo via Goma border and this multiple visa will help you to enter Rwanda again from Congo.
2. Where is Mount Nyiragongo?
Mount Nyiragongo is located in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, erupted in January 17, 2002 ejecting a large cloud of smoke and ash high into the sky and spewing lava down three sides of the volcano. Mount Nyiragongo is located roughly 10 km (6 miles) north of the town of Goma, near the Congo’s border with Rwanda. According to news reports, one river of lava is headed straight toward Goma, where international aid teams are evacuating residents. Already, the lava flows have burned through large swaths of the surrounding jungle and have destroyed dozens of homes.
2. How much is to Hike Mount Nyiragongo?
Nyiragongo volcano trekking permit and overnight in summit shelter costs $300 USD Adult international, $175 USD Child international, $90 USD Adult Congolese and $25 USD Child Congolese. More so you can combine you’re hiking with the gorilla tour in Virunga massifs and Chimpanzee Habituation in Tango forest near the Mount Mikeno from which the luxury Mikeno Lodge is set up to offer amazing accommodation to visitors in Virunga National Park.
3. When can I visit mount Nyiragongo?
Visiting Mount Nyiragongo is year round and if you plan to take this unforgettable experience of viewing the boiling Lava Lake you can book with any selected local tour company which can help you visit and experience the gorilla safari and the hike. Local based companies have all the information that you require before you book your Congo adventure.
4. How can I book my visit?
Booking your safari to Congo is so much easier, browse our tour operator link and you will find several safari companies offering scheduled and tailor – made customized gorilla safaris, Mount Nyiragongo Hike, Chimpanzee Habituation Experience, Congo vacations and holidays and much more tours in Democratic Republic of Congo.
5. How can I access Mount Nyiragongo?
Most of the tours to Mount Nyiragongo start from Kigali International Airport. Trips are combined with the Kigali City tour and then to the gorillas in the Volcanoes National Park, overnight stay at the shores of Lake Kivu, Gisenyi. Then early in the morning tourists and operators access the Goma border to Virunga National Park and most of the tour operators work in line with the Virunga team in terms of providing the transportation to the Kibati starting point of the Hike. More so some of the travels direct to Congo with the Ethiopian Airlines and they land in Goma where they take an overnight before and then the following day with the arrangement of their local safari company and the Virunga team transfer to the starting point of the experience.
6. How many hike the mountain?
Every day the Mount Nyiragongo receives highest number of clients and at the top of the mountain there is only 12 shelters and each shelter accommodates 2 clients and this is in low season but during high season the shelters can sleep even 3 or 4 clients and please your extraordinary adventure in Africa.
7. What else can visit after mount Nyiragongo?
Mount Nyiragongo is found within the Virunga National Park, an oldest national park in Africa. After your Nyiragongo hike you can also experience the gorilla trekking tour in Virunga National Park, Chimpanzee Habituation Experience, and for volunteers spend your other time in at the Senkwenkwe gorilla orphanage center and here you can participate in gorilla conservation programs and you can also have the honey moon holiday staying at the Tchegera Island Tented Camp.
8. How is the feeding on top of the mountain?
Hiking mount Nyiragongo you have to get a porter who will be carrying your back parker and he will also help you to cook your meals at the top of the mountain. But when you book with the Mikeno Lodge they do offer you a Mikeno Package which includes all requirements to use at the top in your shelter and in this package there is all the bedding, warm clothing and they offer you with the chef and all the foods you can eat in the night on the top and this package cost $ 80 USD per person.
9. How is security while on top of the mountain?
Hiking the mount Nyiragongo is so much safer as you are assigned with the security guards who the mount with the clients and while at the top the whole night they protect you from any attack in case it happen which is not common.
10. How long is the ascending and descending mountain?
The hike starts from 10 am and it takes like 7 – 8 hours to reach to the top and this depends to the fitness of the participants. The trail has 4 stopping point for refreshment and upon arrival you will have the amazing view of the boiling Lava Lake. Then the descending takes like 5 hours, and it starts from 6.30 am and by 11 am you will be at the starting point and it is from here everyone continues to his or her next destination.