Nyamulagira Volcano

Nyamulagira is a broad shield volcano about fifteen kilometres north of Nyiragongo, lower but far more active: it has erupted dozens of times since the late nineteenth century, more often than any other volcano in Africa, usually through flank vents that send lava across the surrounding forest. A lava lake has appeared and disappeared in its summit crater in recent years. The trek in takes several days through forest and old flows, and it is far less visited than its neighbour.

What you actually see

• The summit crater - a broad caldera that has held an intermittent lava lake.
• The flank vents - cones and fissures across the shield where most eruptions break out.
• The lava fields - flows of different ages, from bare black rock to forest recolonising.
• The forest approach - several days of walking through Virunga forest to reach the mountain.

When to go

The drier periods from June to September and December to February are the practical trekking seasons. Cloud on the summit is common at any time. Nights at altitude are cold.

Honest expectations

This is a multi-day expedition rather than an overnight climb, with camping and long days. Access depends on the park authority and the route is opened and closed at their discretion. The volcano is genuinely active and eruptions have closed the area at short notice.

Nearby

Nyiragongo is south along the same range, and Goma is beyond it on the lake.