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.
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The huge lava lake of Nyiragongo is 200 m across
The molten rock is bubbling at 2000 degrees C
The name Nyiragongo means 'smoking mountain'
The volcano looms over the nearby city of Goma
Residents must be on their guard against eruptions
Conflict is still ongoing in DR Congo
Three armed guards accompany every group of hikers
Everyone must stick together in case of possible trouble
It's a steep but manageable climb
Guards make sure everyone is OK
The views on the way up are spectacular
As we neared the top the mists rolled in
At first the crater was full of cloud, but finally it cleared
The lava lake is mesmerising
Gas explosions and spurts of lava pop like fireworks
The lava cools and cracks as it reaches the surface
From below, the searing red heat lights up the smoke
We couldn't tear ourselves away
When the volcano last erupted in 2002, lava like this poured out
40% of the city of Goma was destroyed. People fled for their lives
For now, the volcano is biding its time
But from the top you can see just how close the city is
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.