Mount Nyamuragira is one of the world’s most powerful volcanoes and an iconic attraction worth exploring on an African safari. Located in the Virunga conservation area, on the fringes of Virunga National Park and Mount Nyiragongo, along the western arm of the East African Rift Valley, lies Nyamuragira Volcano. Also popularly referred to as Nyamulagira/Nyamlagiri, Mount Nyamuragira is an active shield volcano and, like Nyiragongo volcano, it was built at the Kivu rift axis approximately 12,000 years ago.
Nyamuragira Volcano lies within Virunga NP in the D.R. Congo, Central Africa. It rises to an altitude of 3055m and, like Nyiragongo, it has a record of intra-crater and flank eruptions. The two volcanoes have been monitored and documented since the end of the 19th century.
Is Nyamuragira still an active volcano?
Yes, Mount Nyamuragira is still an active volcano in East Africa’s Rift Valley. It has a volume of 500 cubic km, and its lava covers 1500 sq. km. Unlike Nyiragongo, Mount Nyamuragira has a low-shield profile.
Nyamuragira volcano lies near Goma city, approximately 30 km north of Lake Kivu and 13 km north-northwest of Mount Nyiragongo. In 2002, it caused severe damage in Goma city when it erupted. Mount Nyamuragira is known for its huge sulfur dioxide emissions into the atmosphere. It has had a series of eruptions, making it one of Africa’s most active volcanoes. Due to these eruptions, many smaller volcanoes have been created, especially between 1976 and 1977.
The 2010 eruption of Nyamuragira volcano started spewing out lava flows. Fortunately, no settlements exist around its base area, although wildlife species are at higher risk. Its lava flow was recorded covering 25 km southwest to Lake Kivu, 22 km northwest, and 35 km north-northeast.
The 2011 eruption recorded a 400m high column of lava, described as the biggest of its eruptions in 100 years. A new Lava Lake was observed in 2014, the first time in 75 years since the previous one emptied during the 1938 lava flow. The new Lava Lake formed between June and August 2014 had a depth of 500m. Fortunately, its eruption did not affect local communities, though ash and air pollution were experienced due to sulfate aerosols resulting from volcanic sulfur dioxide. In 2018, the Lava Lake solidified, marking the apparent end of the eruption.
Enthusiastic hikers/volcano climbers can spend about 4 hours hiking to the summit of Nyamuragira. In case you have heavy luggage, porters can be hired to assist you. Consider packing light. Essentials to carry/pack include gardening gloves, a rain jacket, packed lunch, enough drinking water, snacks, a first aid kit, gaiters, and a camera.
When to hike Nyamuragira Volcano?
Hiking/climbing Nyamuragira Volcano is possible at any time of the day, although the dry months are the best. The weather conditions are favorable for hikers to conquer Nyamuragira summit during the dry season: June to September or December to February.
Other than Nyamuragira, other volcanoes to explore on an East African tour include Mount Nyiragongo, Mikeno Volcano, Karisimbi, Bisoke, Gahinga, Muhabura, and Sabyinyo volcanoes. You can combine hiking adventures with other remarkable tour activities in Virunga NP, such as bird watching to sight a variety of Albertine Rift endemic species like the Kivu ground thrush, chimpanzee encounters, mountain gorilla trekking, and visiting local communities for cultural experiences.