Congo’s erupting volcano boosts tourism

Lauren Said-Moorhouse and Stephanie Busari, CNN
Updated 8:17 AM EST, Mon November 28, 2011
Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo is inviting tourists on overnight treks to witness the latest lava eruptions from nearby Nyamulagira volcano.
Tourists to trek to see erupting DRC volcano —
Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo is inviting tourists on overnight treks to witness the latest lava eruptions from nearby Nyamulagira volcano.
Mount Nyamulagira is considered to be the most active volcano and is currently ejecting lava fountains as high as 300 meters in the air. The incandescent lava is currently flowing into uninhabited areas in the south of the park.
Tourists to trek to see erupting DRC volcano —
Mount Nyamulagira is considered to be the most active volcano and is currently ejecting lava fountains as high as 300 meters in the air. The incandescent lava is currently flowing into uninhabited areas in the south of the park.
A skyline photograph taken from a high vantage point shows the immense power of the Nyamulagira volcano.
Tourists to trek to see erupting DRC volcano —
A skyline photograph taken from a high vantage point shows the immense power of the Nyamulagira volcano.
Some of the Virunga National Park team pose in front of the erupting volcano during a trek to the eruption site soon after it started on November 6.
Tourists to trek to see erupting DRC volcano —
Some of the Virunga National Park team pose in front of the erupting volcano during a trek to the eruption site soon after it started on November 6.
The team trek to the northern side of the volcano where tourists will be able to watch as red hot lava is spewed out of the Earth from as close as 1.5km away.
Tourists to trek to see erupting DRC volcano —
The team trek to the northern side of the volcano where tourists will be able to watch as red hot lava is spewed out of the Earth from as close as 1.5km away.
Courtesy Cai Tjeenk Willink/Virunga National Park
A park ranger looks on as Mount Nyamulagira erupts in front of him.
Tourists to trek to see erupting DRC volcano —
A park ranger looks on as Mount Nyamulagira erupts in front of him.
Park ranger Emmanuel stands in the closest area deemed safe by volcanologist Dario Tedesco.
Tourists to trek to see erupting DRC volcano —
Park ranger Emmanuel stands in the closest area deemed safe by volcanologist Dario Tedesco.
A close up shot of Mount Nyamulagira seemingly spewing small, weightless lava pebbles.
Tourists to trek to see erupting DRC volcano —
A close up shot of Mount Nyamulagira seemingly spewing small, weightless lava pebbles.
The team from Virunga National Park set up a camp near the volcano.
Tourists to trek to see erupting DRC volcano —
The team from Virunga National Park set up a camp near the volcano.
Virunga National Park ranger Romeo on his second trip to the eruption site.
Tourists to trek to see erupting DRC volcano —
Virunga National Park ranger Romeo on his second trip to the eruption site.
Tourists to trek to see erupting DRC volcano

Editor’s Note: This article is part of a series spotlighting the Democratic Republic of Congo as elections get underway on 28 November.

Story highlights

Virunga National Park in the DRC is inviting tourists on overnight treks to see an erupting volcano

Eight volcanoes are found in the vicinity of the national park but only two are currently active

Surrounding wildlife, like the endangered mountain gorillas, are out of harm 50 km away

CNN  — 

Spewing red hot lava 300 meters in the air, an erupting volcano in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is turning the war-torn African country into an unlikely tourist destination.

Tourists have been visiting the Virunga National Park on overnight treks and in increasing numbers to witness the latest lava eruptions from the volcano, which have been flowing since November 6.

Mount Nyamulagira is considered to be the most active volcano in the area and for $300 each, around 60 to 70 volcano fans have been traveling an hour from the eastern city of Goma to the start of the trek at the Virunga National Park.

With the aid of the European Union, Virunga National Park has been a driver in boosting tourism to eastern Congo over the past few years.

Tourism officials predict that visitor numbers at Virunga National Park will rise to nearly 4,000 this year – up from 1,800 in 2010, while Africa’s oldest national park is expected to raise over $1 million in revenue for the first time in its history, according to a report in the International Business Times.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is home to eight national parks, five of which are UNESCO