Are you contemplating on hiking the magnificent Mount Nyiragongo within Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo? As you are aware, this breathtaking hike is only possible if you possess a valid hiking permit. However, this has always been a great challenge for tourists because most intending hikers are not aware of how much it costs and how to acquire the permit, thus this article provides the detailed information on the cost and how to get the Mount Nyiragongo Hike Permit.
Firstly, Virunga National Park was established in 1925 to protect the critically endangered Mountain gorillas and their unique habitat and is situated within the eastern side of the Democratic Republic of Congo, on the northern side of Lake Kivu. It is not only the Giant Apes to draw you to this spectacular destination but also the breathtaking Virunga Volcanoes including the active Nyiragongo Mountain with the World’s largest Lava Lake.
Cost of a Mount Nyiragongo Hike Permit
This adventure is at least $100 less than the cost of a gorilla trekking permit thus costs only $300 to hike to the peaks of this magnificent active Volcano. You should note that this price excludes the cost of food, thus you would rather opt for the Nyiragongo Hiking Mikeno Package (that costs $100) thus caters for your food.
How to acquire the Nyiragongo Hike Permit
You can acquire this permit directly or indirectly whereby with the former, you get from Virunga National Park Headquarters in Goma or from Bunagana Office and the latter by booking through tour operators in Uganda (first inquire because some of them don’t offer Congo safaris) and Rwanda because there are very few tour operators within Democratic Republic of Congo.
How to get transportation within Democratic Republic of Congo during the adventure
Vehicles for transportation to Virunga National Park can be hired at once when engaging in gorilla trekking and Nyiragongo hike within the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, you can hire from tour and travel companies from Uganda, Rwanda or Goma because these companies usually provide experienced and qualified driver guides to make your safari smooth. Due to the poor state of roads that usually become muddy during the rainy season, the recommended ones are 4WD vehicles.
Cost of a Congo Tourist Visa
Whether you are landing directly into Democratic Republic of Congo or connecting through Uganda and Rwanda borders, you will be required to present a valid Congo tourist Visa, which costs only $100 and approval/processing for application can be done within 7 working days thus tourists need to book on-time through the Virunga National Park website.
Therefore, the Virunga National Park is popular for the mountain gorillas but also the active Mount Nyiragongo, one of the eight Virunga Volcanoes found in Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Tourists on Congo safaris can climb to the sparkling peaks of the mountain but are required to present valid Nyiragongo hike permit which can be acquired from the Park Headquarters in Goma or the Bunagana Office.