Explore the Beautiful City of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Explore the Beautiful City of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo: Goma is the capital of North Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s eastern region. It is situated near the Rwandan city of Gisenyi on the northern side of Lake Kivu. The Albertine Rift, the western arm of the East African Rift system, contains the lake and the two cities. Goma is only about 13-18 kilometres south of the active Mount Nyiragongo Volcano. Goma’s recent history has been dominated by the volcano and the 1994 Rwandan genocide, which ignited the First and Second Congo Wars. In 2010, the repercussions of these events were still having an impact on the city and its surrounds.

During the M23 revolt in late 2012, rebels of the March 23 Movement took the city, although it has since been retaken by government forces. Goma is the site of the annual Amani Festival, which honours peace and drew 36,000 people in 2020. Goma is within a few minutes’ drive from Virunga National Park, providing various chances for environment and wildlife enthusiasts.

The surroundings of Goma include beautiful natural landscape, including woods, hills, and mountains. Because to its position outside the Virunga National Park, it has become a tourist destination in East Africa. The spectacular Nyiragongo Volcano, which will be discussed later, is an important feature. As we will discover later, Goma also offers restaurants, museums, and theatres.

Before visiting Goma or the eastern portion of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, it is necessary to understand that it is not a typical tourist destination. Although the area features pure environment, terrain, and animals, it has a history of civil turmoil and warfare. Although the security situation has improved and the Things to do in Goma Virunga National Park have reopened, you should be aware of what you are getting yourself into. It is critical to keep vigilant and up to current on security developments, especially if you want to travel the interior or rural areas, Explore the Beautiful City of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Interesting Places to Visit from Goma City.

Visit Virunga National Park

Virunga National Park, formerly known as Albert National Park, encompasses an area of 7,800 square kilometres. It was founded in 1925 and is the Congo’s and Africa’s oldest national park. Virunga National Park is a UNECO World Heritage site that encompasses numerous mountains, including Mikeno, Nyiragongo, Nyamuringa, and the Rwenzori Ranges. The park is home to most of Africa’s notable species, as well as some unusual ones such as mountain gorillas, Okapi, and Bongo. The Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda, the Rwenzori Mountains National Park in Uganda, and the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda all share its borders.

The park authorities have faced several obstacles over the previous two decades, including illegal squatters, poaching, and militias. Things have returned to normal, and people are once again visiting the tempting park and magnificent attractions. If you are in Goma, you should spend a day visiting the park headquarters or going on a nature walk before embarking on significant activities like as monitoring gorillas or trekking the Nyiragongo Volcano.

Hike Nyiragongo Mountain

Mount Nyiragongo stands 3470 metres tall and is located within the Virunga National Park. Its main crater is 2 kilometres across and contains a lava lake in the middle. This well-known Volcano Best Tourist Attraction in Goma erupted in May 2021, causing lava to flow up to the town of Goma. Lives were lost, property was ruined, and over 500,000 people had to be evacuated. The Goma airport was not immune.

As the lava made its way up to Lake Kivu, it buried the runway with ash and other relics of the explosion. Since then, the volcano has cooled down and there is no danger of it exploding anytime soon. Scientists have set up a station in Goma to keep an eye on the mountain and any volcanic activity. Hiking the Nyiragongo Volcano is regarded as one of the most daring sports available in Africa. It is the only tourist-accessible mountain with a boiling lava lake. The Nyiragongo Hiking Trail begins at Kibati hamlet and lasts two days.

Trek Mountain Gorillas in Virunga National Park.

Only three countries have mountain gorillas: Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Mountain gorillas can only be found in Virunga National Park in Congo. Because of the reduced rates for gorilla permits, gorilla trekking in Congo is popular. Congo’s gorilla licences cost $400, compared to $1500 in Rwanda and $700 in Uganda.

Trekking mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park may be paired with mountaineering Mount Nyiragongo to create one of Africa’s most unforgettable experiences. If you’re in Goma, you should take advantage of the opportunity to track gorillas and learn more about Africa’s oldest national park. If the permits are prohibitively expensive, you may just visit the Senkwekwe Centre for Mountain Gorilla Orphans.

Visit Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage.

The Senkwekwe Centre is the only mountain gorilla orphanage in the world. One of the benefits of gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park is that you may visit this Centre for free if you stay at the luxurious Mikeno Lodge. Senkwekwe, a magnificent Silverback Gorilla, inspired the Centre’s name. He was assassinated in 2007 by militias who had taken sanctuary in the park at the time. Two new-born mountain gorillas were rescued and cared after by park authorities for some time until the concept of establishing a gorilla orphanage for young mountain gorillas arose, Explore the Beautiful City of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

After their parents were slain, the majority of the gorillas at the Senkwekwe Centre were rescued from poachers or wildlife traffickers. Mountain gorillas will fight to the death to protect their babies. You may learn more about gorilla conservation in Congo by visiting the Centre and making a donation. You may even volunteer and work alongside the Centre’s committed caregivers. The refuge is situated within a vast woodland enclosure that replicates the environment in which their wild cousins dwell. Given the extra care they have gotten accustomed to, there is no way they could be released into the wild.

Track Eastern Lowland Gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National Park.

The Kahuzi-Biega National Park is one of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is situated in the village of Bukavu, close to the Nightclubs in Congo’s Goma city. The park was named after two extinct volcanoes, Biega and Kahuzi, when it was founded in 1970. It is still largely untouched and unexplored. Among the various animals found in Kahuzi-Biega National Park are chimps, many lesser primates, bush elephants, buffaloes, enormous forest pigs, and several antelopes.

The Eastern Lowland gorillas (also known as Grauer’s gorillas) are the park’s main attraction. They are bigger than mountain gorillas and are thought to number 3,800 in the park. Goma city may be utilised as a strategic location to view both the mountain and lowland gorillas in this beautiful national park.

Visit Lake Kivu

This is one of Africa’s biggest lakes. It shares borders with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The lake’s waters drain into the Ruzizi River, which runs all the way to Lake Tanganyika. Lake Kivu is well-known for having methane gas beneath its bottoms. Scientist What to see in Goma think that if a severe calamity such as a volcano eruption or earth quake happened. It might emit methane gas into the atmosphere, suffocating most living creatures in the lake’s vicinity. The lake itself appears to be safe, tranquil, and gorgeous, Explore the Beautiful City of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

While visiting Lake Kivu, visitors may engage in a variety of activities like as fishing, swimming, and island hopping. Taking a boat or canoe to the many fishing towns and landing points is the ideal way to visit the lake. When the weather permits, kayaking is also an option. If none of these activities appeal to you, you may simply sit by the lakeshore and take in the breathtaking scenery and views of the Virunga Volcanoes.

Despite all the instability in the region, Goma city remains one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Booking a trip to Goma is best done through a trusted tour operator company such as Explore Rwanda Tours which will ensure that you explore the beautiful Goma region without worrying so much about your safety and security while on your Congo Safari.