Mountain Kilimanjaro Vs Nyiragongo Hiking Tours Congo

Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the world’s most accessible high summits, a beacon for visitors from around the world.

Most climbers reach the crater rim with little more than a walking stick, proper clothing and determination.

And those who reach Uhuru Point, the actual summit, or Gillman’s Point on the lip of the crater, will have earned their climbing certificates and their memories.

Mount Kilimanjaro is a place of myth and folklore. Located 200 miles (325 km) from the equator, the mountain defies logic with its crown of ice. Climbing Kilimanjaro does not require any technical skills or special equipment, just some physical fitness and determination.

People from all walks of life, from a 7-year-old child to an 85-year-old man, have successfully summited. But the challenge should not be taken lightly.

The routes each have different characteristics which may or may not appeal to you. Consider the difficulty, scenery and crowds when you select your route.

Other factors that should be considered are your age, fitness level, medical conditions, backpacking and hiking experience, experience at high altitude, degree of motivation, and any other special considerations.

The best times to climb Kilimanjaro tend to be the warmest and driest months – January, February, and September. June, July, August and October are also good months.

However, temperatures and weather are unpredictable, and can change drastically based on the time of day and altitude. It’s best to avoid the long rainy season, from the end of March to early June, and the short rainy season, from November through the beginning of December.

For families visiting DR Congo for Nyiragongo Hiking Tours participants must be fit and at least 12 years of age and are required to bring full rain and cold weather gear (moisture – wicking base layer, sweater or fleece, jacket, rain resistant pants, long underwear, warm socks, hat, and a 0°C/32° – rated sleeping bag).

Temperatures at the summit are routinely below freezing. Although most people arrive at the summit sweating from the steep climb, this sense of warmth quickly gives way to cold.

A complete change of base layers is a must. Failure to bring proper gear will lead to hypothermia. Please do not endanger yourself and others by coming unprepared for these conditions.

Mount Nyiragongo is a magnificent active volcano that features the world’s largest lava lake making it one of the few volcanoes in Africa that offers some of the top hiking and climbing possibilities.

Standing as one of the great geological mysteries in the history of volcanic expedition is located in the Democratic Republic of Congo inside the greater Virunga National park  about 20kms north of the town of Goma and lake Kivu just on the western border of Rwanda.

Goma is lies on the northern shores of Lake Kivu only one kilometer from the Rwandan border next to the town of Gisenyi.

The beautiful strata volcano is famous for persistent active volcanic activity in it’s huge crater lake on top of the summit any volcanic enthusiast would look no further but to peer down into the churning lava lake and see, hear hot gases exploding up gives you a chance of rare photography.

Although predictable and safe for tourists, the time required to reach the summit depends on the normal fitness of each group of visitors.

The topography changes in stages right through the climb, thick jungle filled with very big ant colonies and open out trees that house some reptiles.

The hike takes about 4 to 6 hours to climb the summit that begins at an altitude of about 1,989 meters to 3,470 meters above sea level.

Guaranteed by experienced guides who will lead all your treks after checking your complete hiking and cold weather gear including packed meals, proper hydration and take preventive measures from your physician for those prone to Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) because of the change in altitude.

Before you make the climb, make sure you have packed accordingly since there is no food service on top of Nyiragongo to be rewarding as it is demanding. Hired porters will help carry heavy bags not greater than the recommended15 kg which will make your trek more pleasurable than you expect.

Porters ($24) are a must – can be hired at the base of the climb to carry loads for $24 round trip (gratuity not included). The maximum weight that porters are authorized to carry is 15 kg. Porters can be arranged by speaking with a Virunga National Park ranger at the Kibati station.

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