Ngurdoto Crater
Crater Volcanic crater within Arusha National Park, wildlife habitat
Near Arusha, Ngurdoto Crater offers a forested volcanic caldera within Arusha Region; visitors stop for crater‑rim walks, views of surrounding highlands and nearby wildlife.
Ngurdoto Crater is a volcanic crater located within Arusha National Park in northern Tanzania, near the city of Arusha. It is a prominent, forested crater often visited on park day trips.
The crater is of volcanic origin and forms part of the volcanic landscape around Mount Meru and Arusha; it is preserved within the boundaries of Arusha National Park. Over time it has remained a park attraction for wildlife viewing and short nature walks.
Ngurdoto sits inside Arusha National Park, north of Arusha city in the Arusha Region, and is accessible by the park road network used for game drives and guided walks.
- Crater form and access: a relatively small, bowl-shaped volcanic crater with steep inner walls and a grassy floor accessible by short trails within Arusha National Park
- Typical visit: often seen on day visits out of Arusha and commonly visited along game routes inside Arusha National Park
How to Get to Ngurdoto Crater #
Drive/park access: Ngurdoto Crater lies inside Arusha National Park just outside Arusha town. Most visitors drive from Arusha - the park entrance is reached by the road heading east/southeast from Arusha; the drive is typically around 30-45 minutes from Arusha depending on exact start point and traffic.
On arrival: enter via the Arusha National Park gate and follow park roads to the Ngurdoto Crater parking/visitor area; reaching the crater rim requires a short walk from the parking area.
Tips for Visiting Ngurdoto Crater #
- Visit Ngurdoto Crater as part of an Arusha National Park half-day trip and aim for early morning or late afternoon for the best lighting and higher likelihood of seeing wildlife on the crater floor.
- The crater rim is reached by a relatively short walk from the park's access road-allow time for the viewpoint and to scan the floor through binoculars, where buffalo and antelope are often visible.
- Combine the crater stop with a game drive elsewhere in Arusha National Park on the same day to make the most of the short-distance travel and varied wildlife habitats.
Best Time to Visit Ngurdoto Crater #
Best visited during the long dry season (June-October) for clear skies, easier trail conditions and more predictable weather.
Weather & Climate near Ngurdoto Crater #
Ngurdoto Crater's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with warm summers (peaking in March) and mild winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 12°C to 27°C. Abundant rainfall (1187 mm/year), wettest in April with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (65 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is the warmest month with highs of 26°C and lows of 15°C. Significant rainfall (131 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 16°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (337 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 14°C. Heavy rain (230 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (51 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is the coolest month with highs of 20°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (30 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 12°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 12°C. The driest month with just 20 mm and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (33 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 14°C. Significant rainfall (118 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 14°C. Regular rainfall (89 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
