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

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    The huge lava lake of Nyiragongo is 200 m across

    I Spent The Night At The Top Of An Active Volcano In DR Congo, Capturing The Boiling Lava Lake

    The molten rock is bubbling at 2000 degrees C

    I Spent The Night At The Top Of An Active Volcano In DR Congo, Capturing The Boiling Lava Lake

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    The name Nyiragongo means ‘smoking mountain’

    I Spent The Night At The Top Of An Active Volcano In DR Congo, Capturing The Boiling Lava Lake

    The volcano looms over the nearby city of Goma

    I Spent The Night At The Top Of An Active Volcano In DR Congo, Capturing The Boiling Lava Lake

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    Residents must be on their guard against eruptions

    I Spent The Night At The Top Of An Active Volcano In DR Congo, Capturing The Boiling Lava Lake

    Conflict is still ongoing in DR Congo

    I Spent The Night At The Top Of An Active Volcano In DR Congo, Capturing The Boiling Lava Lake

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    Three armed guards accompany every group of hikers

    I Spent The Night At The Top Of An Active Volcano In DR Congo, Capturing The Boiling Lava Lake

    Everyone must stick together in case of possible trouble

    I Spent The Night At The Top Of An Active Volcano In DR Congo, Capturing The Boiling Lava Lake

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    It’s a steep but manageable climb

    I Spent The Night At The Top Of An Active Volcano In DR Congo, Capturing The Boiling Lava Lake

    Guards make sure everyone is OK

    I Spent The Night At The Top Of An Active Volcano In DR Congo, Capturing The Boiling Lava Lake

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    The views on the way up are spectacular

    I Spent The Night At The Top Of An Active Volcano In DR Congo, Capturing The Boiling Lava Lake

    As we neared the top the mists rolled in

    I Spent The Night At The Top Of An Active Volcano In DR Congo, Capturing The Boiling Lava Lake

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    At first the crater was full of cloud, but finally it cleared

    I Spent The Night At The Top Of An Active Volcano In DR Congo, Capturing The Boiling Lava Lake

    The lava lake is mesmerising

    I Spent The Night At The Top Of An Active Volcano In DR Congo, Capturing The Boiling Lava Lake

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    Gas explosions and spurts of lava pop like fireworks

    I Spent The Night At The Top Of An Active Volcano In DR Congo, Capturing The Boiling Lava Lake

    The lava cools and cracks as it reaches the surface

    I Spent The Night At The Top Of An Active Volcano In DR Congo, Capturing The Boiling Lava Lake

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    From below, the searing red heat lights up the smoke

    I Spent The Night At The Top Of An Active Volcano In DR Congo, Capturing The Boiling Lava Lake

    We couldn’t tear ourselves away

    I Spent The Night At The Top Of An Active Volcano In DR Congo, Capturing The Boiling Lava Lake

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    When the volcano last erupted in 2002, lava like this poured out

    I Spent The Night At The Top Of An Active Volcano In DR Congo, Capturing The Boiling Lava Lake

    40% of the city of Goma was destroyed. People fled for their lives

    I Spent The Night At The Top Of An Active Volcano In DR Congo, Capturing The Boiling Lava Lake

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    For now, the volcano is biding its time

    I Spent The Night At The Top Of An Active Volcano In DR Congo, Capturing The Boiling Lava Lake

    But from the top you can see just how close the city is

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    I Spent The Night At The Top Of An Active Volcano In DR Congo, Capturing The Boiling Lava Lake

    It sounds like an ocean or a waterfall – watch with the sound on:

    Observing volcanic lava in action offers an unforgettable experience, transporting onlookers to a world of fiery spectacle and natural wonder.

    The thrill of observing a lava lake firsthand can be exhilarating, much like the curiosity to see the effect when poking red-hot lava with a simple stick. Such daring encounters with nature offer unique insights into the raw power of our planet.

     

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