Virunga National Park: Hottest Destination in the World?

The world is full of hot destinations, but few could be hotter than a tourist camp near the erupting Nyamulagira volcano in the Eastern Congo. Tourists have been invited to experience some truly spectacular natural scenery at a secure site in Virunga National Park very close to the eruption.

The Congo has not historically been seen as a tourist hotspot, although the rare mountain gorillas of the region do attract thousands of visitors each year. Unfortunately for the more casual traveller, the infrastructure of the Congo (or lack thereof) can make getting around extremely difficult. Portions of the country are widely regarded as unsafe for visitors and volcanoes are far from the only volatile feature of the region. Those who are determined to visit should take the necessary precautions and be careful to stay abreast of political developments.

Although the Nyamulagira mountain has erupted several times in recent history, this is the first time foreign tourists have been able to take advantage of the event. This experience was made possible by the work of Dr Dario Tedesco, a leading volcanologist whose research with the Goma Volcanological Observatory identified the safe but nearby site where tourists are being hosted. The eruption could not have come at a better time for the tourism industry in the Eastern Congo, which is currently undergoing revitalisation and development in a bid to attract greater numbers of visitors.

Tour operators have been happy with the demand for the volcano visit and plan to continue running trips in the area until the volcano stops erupting – which could be in a matter of days or months. Reviews of the experience have been predictably good as this is an extremely rare opportunity for intrepid visitors. Travellers who are interested in making the once-in-a-lifetime journey can find out more by contacting officials at Virunga National Park, who are organising trips to the fiery mountain.