Ndgurdoto Crater Ndgurdoto Crater is a stunningly beautiful crater located in the Arusha region of Tanzania, within Arusha National Park.
This crater is actually a caldera situated atop an extinct strata volcano known as Mount Meru.
The Ndgurdoto Crater is densely forested with steep slopes on its sides and reaches a depth of about 400 meters.
It spans 100 meters in width with a diameter of 3.6 kilometers.
Sometimes, it is referred to as the “small Ngorongoro” due to its similarity to the famous Ngorongoro Crater, as its floor serves as a habitat for diverse wildlife, including buffalos, elephants, zebras, warthogs, several antelope species, and various primate species.
The best time to visit Ndgurdoto Crater is during the drier months of June to August and December to February when the hiking trails are not muddy and slippery.
Visiting during the dry season also offers the advantage of thinner vegetation, making it easier to spot animals concentrated around permanent water points.
The crater formed when two cones lying close to each other collapsed as magma flowed deeper beneath them, leaving the cones unsupported and resulting in the formation of the crater.
Some of the activities you can enjoy while at the crater include:
Nature Guided Walks
Nature-guided walks can be arranged around Ndgurdoto Crater, allowing tourists to circle the crater rim.
Along the way, several stopping points with observation areas provide superb views of the crater, as well as breathtaking vistas of Mount Kilimanjaro on clear days and the plains of Arusha National Park below.
Animal Viewing
Ndgurdoto Crater offers excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing, with animals such as elephants, warthogs, Kirk’s dik-dik, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, red duikers, and many more to observe.
Scenic Views
The beauty of Ndgurdoto Crater is best experienced in person, as cameras cannot fully capture its grandeur.
Viewing points at the crater rim are equipped with benches, parking, rails, and shade for visitors to relax and enjoy superb views.
The Leitong Viewpoint, at 1824 meters above sea level, offers breathtaking vistas of Arusha National Park and Mount Kilimanjaro National Park.
Ndgurdoto Museum
Enhance your Ndgurdoto Crater visit by exploring the Ndgurdoto Museum, which is dedicated to showcasing various animals, plants, birds, and informative details about the crater.
Mount Meru
Mount Meru National Park is the highest mountain in Tanzania and often serves as a warm-up for tourists aspiring to conquer Africa’s rooftop.
This mountain stands at an elevation of 4566 meters above sea level.
Climbing Mount Meru can be accomplished in 3-4 days, depending on your pace and physical fitness.
Climbing Mount Meru offers spectacular views, beautiful scenery, and abundant wildlife and bird-watching opportunities.
Unlike Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru is less crowded, providing a peaceful opportunity to get close to nature.
Birding
Arusha National Park is a paradise for birdwatchers, with numerous bird species recorded.
Some of these can be spotted at the Ndgurdoto Museum and include Maccoa duck, mountain buzzard, lesser flamingo, black-fronted bush shrike, silvery-cheeked hornbill, great sparrow hawk, white-eared barbet, trilling cisticola, Taveta golden weaver, greater flamingo, African fish eagle, great crested grebe, black saw-wing, bearded vulture, Egyptian goose, and many others.
Momella Lakes
Some of the most spectacular attractions you must visit and combine with your trip to Ndgurdoto Crater are the beautiful scenic Momella Lakes.
There are seven Momella Lakes found within Arusha National Park, and these alkaline lakes were formed as a result of volcanic debris when Mount Meru erupted and blew its summit over 250,000 years ago.
The shallow Momella Lakes are supplied by underground water and have no outlets.
They have become breeding grounds for hundreds of flamingoes that feed on algae and other water birds.
Each Momella Lake has a different color and source of spring water, separating it from the rest.
The reason for their different colors depends on mineral deposits within each lake.
Due to their alkaline levels, animals do not drink from these lakes but are often seen roaming on the shores.
The seven Momella Lakes include Small Momella, Lekandiro, Big Momella, Kusare, Rishateni, Lekandiro, Tulusia, and El Kekhoioito.
Arusha National Park
Arusha National Park is one of the country’s smallest national parks but provides thrilling experiences for its visitors.
It’s home to Mount Meru, Momella Lakes, Ndgurdoto Crater, and spectacular landscapes.
There are plenty of activities to do while in the park, including game drives, guided nature walks, boat cruises, hiking, mountain climbing, picnicking, birding, and much more.
