Mount Nyamuragira is one of the most powerful volcanoes in the world and an important attraction to explore on an African safari. It is located in the Virunga Conservation Area, on the edges of Virunga National Park, close to Mount Nyiragongo, along the western branch of the East African Rift Valley. Also known as Nyamulagira or Nyamlagiri, it is an active shield volcano formed about 12,000 years ago at the Kivu rift axis.
Mount Nyamuragira lies inside Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central Africa. It rises to an altitude of 3,055 meters. Like Nyiragongo, it has recorded several eruptions both inside the crater and on its slopes. The two volcanoes have been studied since the late 19th century.
Is Nyamuragira still active?
Yes, Mount Nyamuragira is still an active volcano. It has a volume of about 500 cubic kilometers, and its lava covers around 1,500 square kilometers. Unlike Nyiragongo, it has a broad, low shield shape.
The volcano is near Goma city, about 30 km north of Lake Kivu and 13 km from Mount Nyiragongo. In 2002, one of its eruptions caused serious damage in Goma. It is also known for releasing large amounts of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere. Many small volcanoes have been created by its eruptions, especially between 1976 and 1977.
In 2010, an eruption produced strong lava flows, though there are no human settlements around the base. Wildlife in the park, however, was at risk. Lava flows reached 25 km southwest to Lake Kivu, 22 km northwest, and 35 km north-northeast.
In 2011, another eruption sent a lava column 400 meters high, the largest in a century. A new lava lake appeared in 2014, the first in 75 years since the old one emptied in 1938. This new lake, about 500 meters deep, formed between June and August 2014. Although the eruption did not affect nearby communities, ash and air pollution were recorded. In 2018, the lava lake solidified, marking the apparent end of that eruption.
Hiking Mount Nyamuragira
Climbing the volcano takes about 4 hours to the summit. Porters are available to help with luggage, but it is best to pack light. Essentials include gloves, a rain jacket, packed lunch, drinking water, snacks, a first aid kit, gaiters, and a camera.
Best time to hike Mount Nyamuragira
Hiking is possible all year round, but the dry months from June to September and December to February are the most suitable. The weather is more stable during this time, making the climb easier.
Besides Nyamuragira, other volcanoes to explore in East Africa include Nyiragongo, Mikeno, Karisimbi, Bisoke, Gahinga, Muhabura, and Sabyinyo. These hikes can be combined with other activities in Virunga National Park, such as bird watching for Albertine Rift endemics like the Kivu ground thrush, chimpanzee tracking, mountain gorilla trekking, and cultural visits to local communities.
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