Goma is a town located near Gisenyi in Rwanda, on the northern shore of Lake Kivu. It is only about 13 kilometers away from Gisenyi. Goma is the capital of North Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo and is home to Mount Nyiragongo and many other attractions.
In 2002, Mount Nyiragongo erupted and destroyed 40% of Goma town.
Goma follows Central Africa Time (GMT+2).
Goma is close to one of the world’s most active volcanoes, Mount Nyiragongo. This volcano is part of the Great East African Rift Valley and is one of the eight Virunga volcanoes that stretch across Rwanda, Congo, and Uganda. The mountain slopes are also home to mountain gorillas.
Hike Mount Nyiragongo
Mount Nyiragongo is located just outside Goma town in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Together with Mount Nyamuragira, it is among the most active volcanoes in the world. Because of the unstable political situation in the region, scientists have not studied this mountain very well, so little is known about it.
Mount Nyiragongo is 3,465 meters above sea level. It has a lava lake that is 600 meters deep, known to be the most fluid lava in the world. While lava from other volcanoes moves at 1 to 10 kilometers per hour, the lava from Nyiragongo can move at 97 kilometers per hour.
In 1997, Mount Nyiragongo erupted and released over 5 million cubic meters of lava. Within 30 minutes, the lava lake was emptied, and in just 20 minutes, the lava reached Goma town. The eruption killed about 300 people.
Mount Nyiragongo is believed to have erupted at least 32 times since 1882, though no one knows exactly how long it has been active. Travelers who hike this volcano enjoy special experiences. At night, the red lava lake is clearly visible, and smoke rises into the sky.
It takes about 6 hours to hike to the top of Mount Nyiragongo. There are summit shelters where tourists can spend the night. The hike begins at Kibati ranger post after a briefing. Porters are available to help carry luggage.
Visit Virunga National Park
Virunga National Park is in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is one of only three places in the world where tourists can trek to see mountain gorillas. The other two are Uganda and Rwanda. Virunga is a World Heritage Site and is the oldest national park in Africa.
Lake Kivu
Lake Kivu is one of the large lakes in Africa. It lies between Rwanda and Congo in the Albertine Rift Valley. The lake is 50 kilometers wide, 90 kilometers long, and has a maximum depth of 475 meters, making it the eighth deepest lake in the world.
Lake Kivu is a peaceful place where visitors can relax. It is free from bilharzia, so people can swim safely. Other activities include sunbathing, fishing, and boat rides. Tourists can explore the plants and animals around the lake and see different islands. Some tourists visit the islands to meet and talk with local people.
Goma can be reached easily from Kigali, Rwanda, in about 3 hours by road. Visitors can also fly directly into Goma International Airport. The town can be visited at any time of the year.
