A TRIP TO THE HEART OF AFRICA: GORILLAS AND A LAVA LAKE IN VIRUNGA NATIONAL PARK
This was probably one of the most amazing trips I have ever taken.
We flew from Addis Abeba to Kigali. From there we took a 3 hour journey by road to Goma, a city in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The visa process was handled for us by a tour agency. Goma was our base for our expedition. In five days we compressed some of the most breathtaking and memorable experiences. We visited Gorillas on the Congolese side of the Virunga National Park and we climbed the Nyragongo volcano where we witnessed lava lakes in the summit crater - a unique experience that left me mesmerised and full of wonder.
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A highlight of the trip was our tour guide Daniel, a sweet and knowledgeable old man who has climbed the Nyragongo volcano 74 times in 27 years. His first climb was in 1987. He started out working for Congo safari, a company he says that taught him customer care and professionalism. He told us that at the beginning he was afraid to go up the volcano, but after his twentieth ascent, he made the decision to continue these expeditions for life, retirement not being an option. He says the biggest attraction is the exercise he gets from climbing and believe me it is not an easy climb. |
During the troubles (see http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-20438531), the tour company cancelled the booking and Daniel worked in the neighbouring countries. The Nyragongo volcano was closed for some years he says. “Those people were disturbing the area", from 1987 – 1994 it was closed and it closed again during the Rwanda situation” http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13431486
His dream is to set up a campsite for independent budget travellers. “So travellers can stay longer as there are many activities to do around Goma including waterfalls, the gorillas, the volcano and a visit lake Kiwi,” he explains. He said that the climb he did with our group was special, one of the best for him. “Sometimes you go up and you don’t see.” Out of the 74 times he has climbed up, for six expeditions the volcano was not visible from the campsite (only 16 people can climb the Nyragongo at any one time).
About the Nyragongo:
Nyragongo volcano is one of the most active in Africa. It is located inside Virunga National Park, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, about 20 km (12 mi) north of the town of Goma and Lake Kivu and just west of the border with Rwanda. The main crater is about two kilometres wide.
His dream is to set up a campsite for independent budget travellers. “So travellers can stay longer as there are many activities to do around Goma including waterfalls, the gorillas, the volcano and a visit lake Kiwi,” he explains. He said that the climb he did with our group was special, one of the best for him. “Sometimes you go up and you don’t see.” Out of the 74 times he has climbed up, for six expeditions the volcano was not visible from the campsite (only 16 people can climb the Nyragongo at any one time).
About the Nyragongo:
Nyragongo volcano is one of the most active in Africa. It is located inside Virunga National Park, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, about 20 km (12 mi) north of the town of Goma and Lake Kivu and just west of the border with Rwanda. The main crater is about two kilometres wide.
In January 2002, fissures from the lava lake opened up and memories of this eruption are still visible in the climb up to the summit. The lava covered 15 per cent of the city of Goma, it destroyed 30 per cent of the city and prompted 200,000 people to flee.
During our way back from the climb, Daniel opened the Lonely Planet published in 2011. Daniel pointed out what the writer had written. In a nutshell: ‘don’t go to Congo it is not safe!’ He says that after this was published much of his business stopped. He said he eventually met the Lonely Planet writer and asked him to update his conclusions about the security situation and to provide a fair account of the current situation. Daniel is proud that he managed to persuade Lonely Planet to amend its summary, which has helped increase the number of travelers to Goma.
About the Gorillas in Congo:
There are about 8 families of gorillas that one can visit in the Virunga National Park. Gorillas are polygamous, a family usually comprises of a Silverback (the family head) with few ‘wives’ and children. Children are playful, the silverback usually pays little notice of who is around, but there are specific rules to follow and “DO NOT TRY TO TOUCH THE GORILLAS"!
During our way back from the climb, Daniel opened the Lonely Planet published in 2011. Daniel pointed out what the writer had written. In a nutshell: ‘don’t go to Congo it is not safe!’ He says that after this was published much of his business stopped. He said he eventually met the Lonely Planet writer and asked him to update his conclusions about the security situation and to provide a fair account of the current situation. Daniel is proud that he managed to persuade Lonely Planet to amend its summary, which has helped increase the number of travelers to Goma.
About the Gorillas in Congo:
There are about 8 families of gorillas that one can visit in the Virunga National Park. Gorillas are polygamous, a family usually comprises of a Silverback (the family head) with few ‘wives’ and children. Children are playful, the silverback usually pays little notice of who is around, but there are specific rules to follow and “DO NOT TRY TO TOUCH THE GORILLAS"!
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All visitors should stay together in a tight group when near the gorillas. The guides will keep you back at a minimum of 7 meters from the gorillas. This is to protect them from the danger of catching human diseases and to minimize behavioral disturbance. Keep your voice down at all times.
Although mountain gorillas are now extremely rare and have been listed as one of the most critically-endangered species, community-based conservation work has helped to secure the remaining population and is primarily funded by visitor fees. Visiting the Gorillas in East Africa is not a cheap experience, but visiting Gorillas in the Congo was half the standard price charged in neighbouring countries. |
To the Africa wildlife enthusiasts and the curious, what are you waiting for? I highly recommend this trip to anyone with a thirst for adventure. Honour the adventurer within and book the trip of your lifetime. I promise you won’t be disappointed!
http://www.kasituecotours.com/
http://virungamovie.com
https://virunga.org
‘If you don’t see the gorilla in the Nyragongo, it is like going to Roma and you didn’t see the pope’, Daniel Kasitu Eco Tour, Goma.
http://www.kasituecotours.com/
http://virungamovie.com
https://virunga.org
‘If you don’t see the gorilla in the Nyragongo, it is like going to Roma and you didn’t see the pope’, Daniel Kasitu Eco Tour, Goma.
