Ngurdoto CraterNgurdoto Crater at a Glance
About Ngurdoto Crater
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
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.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Excellent | 14° - 27° | 20° | 61 mm | partly cloudy | 64% | 2.9 m/s | 2.7 extreme | 12.2h |
| February | Excellent | 14° - 27° | 21° | 65 mm | partly cloudy | 63% | 3.5 m/s | 2.8 extreme | 12.1h |
| March | Very Good | 15° - 26° | 21° | 131 mm | partly cloudy | 69% | 3.1 m/s | 2.7 extreme | 12.0h |
| April | Good | 16° - 24° | 20° | 337 mm | overcast | 77% | 2.2 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 11.9h |
| May | Acceptable | 15° - 21° | 18° | 230 mm | overcast | 79% | 1.6 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.8h |
| June | Very Good | 13° - 20° | 17° | 51 mm | partly cloudy | 74% | 2.0 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.8h |
| July | Very Good | 12° - 20° | 16° | 30 mm | partly cloudy | 69% | 1.7 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.8h |
| August | Very Good | 12° - 21° | 16° | 22 mm | partly cloudy | 65% | 1.6 m/s | 2.0 very high | 11.9h |
| September | Very Good | 12° - 23° | 17° | 20 mm | partly cloudy | 60% | 2.2 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.0h |
| October | Excellent | 13° - 25° | 19° | 33 mm | partly cloudy | 62% | 3.2 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.1h |
| November | Very Good | 14° - 25° | 20° | 118 mm | partly cloudy | 70% | 2.7 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.2h |
| December | Very Good | 14° - 26° | 20° | 89 mm | partly cloudy | 69% | 2.5 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.2h |
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.