Nyaruhonga 3 (Ubuvumo)

Michael Laumanns - 29/11/2015

North province, Virunga mountains, Musanze district) Co-ordinates: S01°34,378’; E 029°29,784°. Alt. ca. 2,694 m. Explored by the 2003 Swiss-German speleological project. The entrance of 284 m long Ubuvumo Nyaruhonga 3 leads down into a well-proportioned lava tube with 3 m of height. Interesting lava flow forms are visible here. The roof is covered by small lava stalactites. A narrow flat-elliptical lateral passage leads from the entrance towards the South. It was not pushed to a conclusion. The main passage soon meets a roof collapse doline. On the opposite side of the doline the lava tube continues but changes direction towards the East. One passes a small daylight hole after about 85 m from the doline. The passage has an average height of 1.7 m and continues with a strong inclination including a 3 m deep climbable step. The floor consists of solid lava. The walls of the tube show many smail cracks that are the result of the cooling down of the lava. At its far end the tube ascends again. Places to sleep were prepared in the terminal chamber of the cave. Much garbage is left here. Description according to Laumanns et al. (2004, 2007).