Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
User submission
23
5K
I Spent The Night At The Top Of An Active Volcano In DR Congo, Capturing The Boiling Lava Lake
Mount Nyiragongo in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is Africa’s most active volcano and home to the world’s largest permanent lava lake. At over 200 m across, the lava bubbles and boils at 2000 degrees C, with gas explosions and spurts of lava up to 10 metres high.
Intrepid travellers can cross the border from Rwanda into conflict-torn Congo, and then hike for 6 hours for the chance to spend a night at the top of this incredible mountain.
If you’re lucky, as I was, the clouds will clear and you’ll get to spend hours watching the molten rock frothing and churning like a bubbling cauldron.
It looks like a portal into the centre of the earth or a great fiery chasm. Little wonder that the name ‘Nyiragongo’ means ‘smoking mountain’, and the locals believe it’s the gateway to Hell.
More info: passportandpixels.com
RELATED:
The huge lava lake of Nyiragongo is 200 m across
The molten rock is bubbling at 2000 degrees C
The name Nyiragongo means ‘smoking mountain’
The volcano looms over the nearby city of Goma
Residents must be on their guard against eruptions
Conflict is still ongoing in DR Congo
Three armed guards accompany every group of hikers
Everyone must stick together in case of possible trouble
It’s a steep but manageable climb
Guards make sure everyone is OK
The views on the way up are spectacular
As we neared the top the mists rolled in
At first the crater was full of cloud, but finally it cleared
The lava lake is mesmerising
Gas explosions and spurts of lava pop like fireworks
The lava cools and cracks as it reaches the surface
From below, the searing red heat lights up the smoke
We couldn’t tear ourselves away
When the volcano last erupted in 2002, lava like this poured out
40% of the city of Goma was destroyed. People fled for their lives
For now, the volcano is biding its time
But from the top you can see just how close the city is
It sounds like an ocean or a waterfall – watch with the sound on:
5Kviews
Share on Facebook
What do you think ?
Lou Wow 6 years ago
Lava always makes me want to poke it with a stick to see what happens. It's so fascinating and gooey looking. 😀
Pilot Dave 6 years ago
I worked in a super alloy melt lab... NiCrCo melts white hot, 2,600 F High carbon (4%) steel, about 1,550 F and looks much like lava... in color and goooyieness. Fun times.
Load More Replies...
M O'Connell 6 years ago
The DRC is a pretty awful place to have to live given the wars, poverty and famine. However the shot-up park sign hasn't even reached rural Iowa levels of bullet holes yet.
Passport and Pixels (Post author) 6 years ago
You are so right. Life is really tough there. I was glad that even in some small way my tourist dollar was helping, and if this post inspires more people to go and spend theirs too, then even better!
Load More Replies...
Lou Wow 6 years ago
Lava always makes me want to poke it with a stick to see what happens. It's so fascinating and gooey looking. 😀
Pilot Dave 6 years ago
I worked in a super alloy melt lab... NiCrCo melts white hot, 2,600 F High carbon (4%) steel, about 1,550 F and looks much like lava... in color and goooyieness. Fun times.
Load More Replies... M O'Connell 6 years ago
The DRC is a pretty awful place to have to live given the wars, poverty and famine. However the shot-up park sign hasn't even reached rural Iowa levels of bullet holes yet.
Passport and Pixels (Post author) 6 years ago
You are so right. Life is really tough there. I was glad that even in some small way my tourist dollar was helping, and if this post inspires more people to go and spend theirs too, then even better!
Load More Replies... 
Related on Bored Panda
81
26