The Ngurdoto Crater at a glance
The Ngurdoto Crater is a green, forested crater in Arusha National Park. The park started in 1960 as Ngurdoto National Park, so this crater is where the park's story began. It has nothing to do with the Ngorongoro Crater, which lies far to the west and has its own guide, or with the crater of Mount Meru.
The crater is roughly 4 km wide. People visit it from the rim, at a handful of viewpoints.
Our pick: Ngurdoto Crater on a day trip
This day trip names the Ngurdoto Crater and the Momella lakes in its route, with fees covered.
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Ngurdoto Crater and Arusha National Park tours
Safari day trips, walks and Mount Meru trips with live prices and availability.
Rim viewpoints
The dependable way to see the crater.
The rim has viewpoints that look down over the forest and the grass in the crater. The viewpoints are Mikindu, The Rock, Buffalo, The Glade and Leitong. Whether each one is open can change, so ask at the gate which viewpoints you can reach before you drive over.
From above you see the forest edge, the open ground in the middle and the open ground where buffalo can graze. A short stop at one viewpoint fits into a half-day game drive that also includes the Momella Lakes. Read the Momella Lakes page for the other end of that loop.
Bring binoculars and a camera with a zoom, because the animals on the crater floor are far below the rim. Wear sturdy shoes and carry water even if you only step out at the viewpoints, since paths along the rim can be slippery after rain.
Can you walk down to the crater floor?
Ask first.
Rules for walking down to the crater floor can change, and access may be restricted to protect the ecosystem. Do not plan your day around a walk on the crater floor.
The sound approach is simple. Plan a rim visit as the base of your day. If you want to walk, ask the park staff or your operator at the gate whether a guided walk is allowed and where. A walk with a ranger can be arranged at a gate, and the walking fee comes on top of the entry fee. See the park fees page.
Little Serengeti and wildlife
Serengeti Ndogo is its own meadow.
Little Serengeti
Serengeti Ndogo is an open grass area inside the park. Buffalo, zebra, warthogs, giraffes and waterbuck graze there. It is not another name for the Ngurdoto Crater.
Forest animals
Black-and-white colobus monkeys live in the Ngurdoto forest.
Colobus monkeys and wildlife →Chances, not promises
Buffalo and giraffes are among the park's animals, but no sighting is guaranteed on any given day. Use the viewpoints to look, and give each one a few minutes.
If you want to read about the mountain that dominates the skyline from the park, see the Mount Meru page. For a different and much larger crater, look at the guide to the Ngorongoro Crater.
Ngurdoto Crater: frequently asked questions
Is the Ngurdoto Crater the same as the Ngorongoro Crater?
No. The Ngurdoto Crater is in Arusha National Park. The Ngorongoro Crater is in a different conservation area, far to the west.
Can I walk down into the Ngurdoto Crater?
Access can be restricted, so do not plan on it. Visit the rim, and ask at the gate whether a guided walk is allowed.
What is Little Serengeti?
Serengeti Ndogo, an open grass area in the park with buffalo, zebra, warthogs, giraffes and waterbuck. It is not the same as the crater.
How big is the Ngurdoto Crater?
Roughly 4 km across.
Do I pay a separate fee to see the crater?
You pay the park entry fee. Walks with a ranger have their own fee.