Mount Nyiragongo

Mount Nyiragongo is an active stratovolcano in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, noted for an intermittently persistent lava lake in its summit crater and for producing very fluid lava flows. It is one of the most active volcanoes in Africa and forms part of the Virunga volcanic chain.

The volcano’s crater lake, when present, is one of the few long-lived lava lakes on Earth and can produce intense night-time glow visible from surrounding areas. The volcano has erupted episodically with significant events that have produced fast lava flows affecting nearby settlements.

Notable eruptions in recent decades have included large events that damaged parts of the nearby city of Goma and required substantial evacuations and reconstruction. Mount Nyiragongo is visited by trekkers and researchers, but access is controlled and guided due to risks from gases and instability.

The volcano rises in eastern DRC close to the Rwandan border and is visible from Goma and the surrounding Virunga National Park region.

• Proximity to Goma: The volcano lies close to the city of Goma on the DRC-Rwanda border and has produced fast-moving, low-viscosity lava flows that have reached urban areas during major eruptions.
• Safety: Crater visits require experienced guides; toxic gases and sudden changes in activity make ridge and crater approaches hazardous.

What to See #

• Summit crater and lava lake: The volcano's summit crater contains a frequently active lava lake when conditions are stable, producing spectacular night-time glow and visible incandescence from the rim.