Ngurdoto: The Mini Ngorongoro Crater
Ngurdoto crater is found in Arusha National Park and is an
awe-inspiring attraction on its own. It is a caldera of an
extinct volcano; that is the remains of an ancient and large
volcano. Ngurdoto has a ring road that allows fabulous views
down into the lush crater interior. In the past it has only been
possible to drive up and around the crater rim. The drive takes
you through the misty forest of ancient Cedar trees inhabited by
the nimble black and white colobus monkeys.
The shy leopards are the main predator and attraction in this
area. There are no lions in this park apart from the odd nomad
visitor. Driving along the high ridges on the Crater edge
provides a stunning view of the forests, glades and animal
tracks that abound in this lush habitat.
To leave your vehicle has not been possible until recently; but
now you are allowed to walk around the rim. This crater has been
called the mini Ngorongoro. In the past it has only been
possible to drive up to the rim; now it is possible to explore
the crater rim on foot. There is ongoing work clearing footpaths
and signposting, which is almost compete. This added attraction
will make this small beautiful park even more interesting to
visit. The park also offers walking safaris and canoeing safaris
on one of the many mountain lakes of the park.
The walk around the crater is not steep and therefore an
enjoyable walk for everyone. The crater is 400 meters deep and 3
kilometers wide. It is a steep sided bowl containing lush swamps
and forest. The crater is home to elephant, buffalo, baboon,
reedbuck, colobus monkeys, leopard and duikers.
Mosses, ferns, lichens and orchids thrive in the damp atmosphere
of the Crater, giving way to huge mahogany, olive and date palm
trees on the drier crater walls. Descent into the Crater itself
is not allowed. This creates a sanctuary within a sanctuary and
leaves a large area of the park to the wildlife. The Arusha
National Park covers and area 33,800 acres and consists of three
spectacular features: the Momella Lakes, Ngurdoto Crater, and
the majestic Mount Meru.
In addition to being an excellent park for birders, Arusha
National Park is one of the few places to see the black and
white colobus monkey. Flamingoes can be seen in huge
congregations in the Momella lakes.
There is a beautiful mountain forest in the park with endemic
species of plants and wildlife. The park is famous for its wide
variety of bird life, both sedentary and migratory. At times it
is possible to get a clear view of the snow-capped Mount
Kilimanjaro, weather permitting.