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 World Heritage Sites , as well as being home to many endangered species , making it ripe territory for eco-tourism . However statistics on the country , which has been embroiled in civil war since 1998 , are grim reading . It is a place where women are systemically raped , children are forced to fight as soldiers and most people struggle to survive on less than $ 2 a day . But the volcano 's proximity and its vivid colors are worth braving the rough terrain for , according to one of the first people to visit the area . `` We really wanted to go in , '' says Ethan Kinsey , a tour operator from Tanzania who was in one of the first overnight volcano treks . `` ( National park wardens ) had to assess the safety of it and then we hiked in immediately . '' On the northern side of the volcano , participants can watch lava spew out of the Earth from a tented camping site 1.5 kilometers away , which has been deemed safe by a volcanologist . Kinsey says : `` Where you look across at the volcano , there is nothing between you and it except a few piles of rock . It is really quite dramatic . `` You really do n't know what is happening underneath ( the ground ) -- it could just blow up . But it seemed like pretty regular explosions . '' Kinsey traveled into the national park with two friends and recommends staying overnight . `` The colors are so much more vivid ... It really is beautiful . We slept with our tents open so we could see it , and the tents face the volcano so we could see the explosions in the night . '' Orphaned gorillas find a safe haven . Kinsey says he felt very at ease while on the trek despite the warnings about the region . `` There are a lot of people walking around with guns , a lot of people walking around with AK-47s , carrying rocket launchers ... But obviously , if the national parks are confident that they can provide a safe experience then it 's safe , '' he says . `` The rebel activity that is causing instability is not targeted at tourists . It is not really targeted at the rangers either . I felt safe . '' He added : `` I think that there will be a lot of interest ( in volcano trekking ) so now I just have to spread it out and get it out there that we can do this . '' The impoverished central African country also made its debut at the World Travel Market in London in September this year , signaling to the world that it means business when it comes to boosting tourism revenue . In its efforts to promote tourism , the DRC government , in conjunction with the Institut Congo pour la Conservation de la Nature ( Congolese Wildlife Authority ) , has recently launched a tourism visa that can be obtained online through Virunga 's website for $ 50 . DRC borders Uganda , Burundi and Rwanda at the junction of the Rift Valley Lakes region , but despite the country 's more varied biodiversity , Uganda and Rwanda generate more revenue from the gorilla tourism trade , because of the instability in the area according to analysts EuroMonitor . Many governments currently warn their citizens against traveling to the Democratic Republic of Congo due to extreme security risks as a result of continued military activity . However , GoCongo , a tourist operator in the area , describes the DRC as a place of adventure . The company wrote on their website : `` No one goes there to rest and sit in a chair for a couple of weeks . Congo is an experience and asks for active people ... If you really need ( five star ) lodges , whisky on the rocks and your 20-channels television , please go somewhere else . '' National park experts are unsure how long the volcano will continue to erupt , spraying vibrant lava and rocks into the sky . The Virunga National Park , a World Heritage site has eight volcanoes that spread across the Virunga mountain range , but only two are currently active . The 7,900 hectare site is also home to critically endangered mountain gorillas . `` The area where the eruption is taking place is an area that has been affected by eruptions for around two-and-a half-years ... Our mountain gorillas do n't live in that area . They are about 50 kilometers away so they are completely untouched , '' says Virunga National Park development officer Cai Tjeenk Willak said .
A National Park in the area is inviting tourists on overnight treks to see an erupting volcano . Several volcanoes are located in the vicinity of the national park but only two are currently active . Surrounding wildlife , like the endangered mountain gorillas , are out of reach 50 km away .