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Lake Duluti Nature Reserves

When to visit
January to February and June to October
Size
1.7 sq km
Temperature
26 'C
Rainfall
20mm

Overview

About Lake Duluti Nature Reserves

Lake Duluti is a small crater lake at Tengeru, about 15 kilometres east of Arusha on the road toward Moshi, surrounded by a forest reserve of around 170 hectares.

The lake fills an old volcanic crater on the lower slopes of Mount Meru, and its steep forested rim gives it a sheltered, enclosed feel quite unlike the open country nearby.

It is not a wildlife destination in any conventional sense. The draw is a walking trail circling the rim, canoeing on the water, and birdlife, with well over a hundred species recorded including fish eagle, kingfishers and herons.

Its proximity to Arusha makes it one of the easiest half-day outings on the northern circuit, and it works particularly well as a gentle first activity for visitors arriving jet-lagged before a safari.

People and culture

People and culture

The Meru people farm the fertile slopes around the lake, growing coffee and bananas on volcanic soil in one of the most densely settled rural areas in Tanzania.

Tengeru, the settlement beside the lake, has a large and busy market that draws traders from across the region, and it is worth combining with a visit to the reserve.

The area also holds a small Polish cemetery, a remnant of the refugee settlement established at Tengeru during the Second World War when several thousand Poles were housed here, which few visitors are aware of.

Guides for the lake trail come from the villages around it, and the reserve is managed with community involvement, so fees paid at the gate contribute locally.

Getting there

How to get there

Weather

Weather and climate in Lake Duluti Nature Reserves

Lake Duluti sits at around 1,300 metres on the lower slopes of Mount Meru, giving it a mild, temperate climate. Days run between 23°C and 29°C and nights fall to 12°C to 16°C.

Month by month

High and low temperature and rainfall, shaded by how good the month is for a safari.

  • Jan

    28° / 15°

    60 mm

  • Feb

    29° / 15°

    70 mm

  • Mar

    28° / 16°

    140 mm

  • Apr

    26° / 16°

    230 mm

  • May

    25° / 15°

    150 mm

  • Jun

    24° / 13°

    30 mm

  • Jul

    23° / 12°

    20 mm

  • Aug

    24° / 12°

    20 mm

  • Sep

    26° / 13°

    20 mm

  • Oct

    28° / 15°

    40 mm

  • Nov

    27° / 16°

    140 mm

  • Dec

    27° / 15°

    90 mm

  • Excellent
  • Very good
  • Good
  • Fair
  • Avoid

Rain falls in two seasons, the long rains from March to May peaking in April at around 230 millimetres and short rains through November. Annual rainfall is roughly 900 millimetres, which sustains the forest around the crater rim.

The forested rim keeps the immediate area cooler and more humid than the surrounding farmland, and mist over the water in the early morning is common, particularly during the wetter months.

June to October is dry and clear, and is when the rim trail is firmest underfoot and Mount Meru most reliably visible above the trees. The path becomes slippery after rain, so footwear matters.

Mist over the water in the early morning is common, particularly during the wetter months, and it clears as the day warms to leave the rim trail in dappled forest shade.

Best time to go

Best time to visit Lake Duluti Nature Reserves

Best months
Jan–Feb, Jun–Dec

Lake Duluti is a short outing rather than a destination, and it works in any month, though the dry season is more comfortable.

June to October is dry and clear, with the firmest footing on the rim trail and the best chance of seeing Mount Meru rising above the forest. This is also when the canoeing is most pleasant.

December to February is warm and largely dry, and works well, with fewer visitors than during peak safari months.

March to May brings the long rains, when the trail becomes slippery and muddy underfoot, though the forest is at its most lush and birding is at its best as migrants arrive.

Whatever the month, go early. Morning is when the birdlife is most active, the water calmest for canoeing and Mount Meru most likely to be clear before cloud builds over its slopes by mid-morning.

Whatever the month, go early. Morning is when the birdlife is most active, the water is calmest for canoeing, and Mount Meru is most likely to be clear above the trees before cloud builds over its slopes by the middle of the morning.

Things to do

Things to do in Lake Duluti Nature Reserves

  1. Crater Rim Trail

    Forest Reserve

    A walking circuit of the crater rim through forest above the water.

  2. Canoeing

    Lake Duluti

    Paddle the sheltered crater lake, with birdlife close at hand.

  3. Birdwatching

    Rim · Water

    Well over a hundred species including fish eagle and kingfishers.

  4. Mount Meru Views

    Northern Rim

    The mountain rising above the forest on clear mornings.

  5. Tengeru Market

    Tengeru Village

    A large regional market beside the reserve, busiest midweek.

  6. Arusha Half Day

    15 Km From Arusha

    An easy outing from the city, good for an arrival or departure day.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is Lake Duluti?

It is a small crater lake at Tengeru about 15 kilometres east of Arusha, filling an old volcanic crater on the lower slopes of Mount Meru and surrounded by a forest reserve of around 170 hectares. The steep forested rim gives it a sheltered feel, and the draw is walking, canoeing and birdlife rather than any large wildlife. The reserve sits on the main Arusha to Moshi road, which makes it easy to fit into an arrival or departure day.

What is there to do there?

A walking trail circles the crater rim through forest above the water, taking around two hours at an unhurried pace with a guide. Canoeing on the lake is the other main activity and brings you close to the birdlife. Well over a hundred species have been recorded, including African fish eagle, kingfishers, herons and cormorants. Entry includes a guide for the rim trail, and canoes are hired separately at the lakeshore with a paddler.

Will I see wildlife?

Not in safari terms, and visitors should arrive knowing that. There are no large mammals in the reserve. Monitor lizards, vervet monkeys and a great many birds are what you will actually see, along with the forest itself. It suits birders and anyone wanting a gentle walk rather than travellers looking for game viewing. It works particularly well as a gentle first outing for visitors arriving jet-lagged before a longer safari.

How do I get to Lake Duluti?

It lies about 15 kilometres east of Arusha at Tengeru, on the main road toward Moshi and Kilimanjaro International Airport, roughly 25 minutes from the city centre. Any taxi or operator can arrange the trip, and its position on the airport road means it fits easily into an arrival or departure day without a dedicated detour. The reserve sits on the main Arusha to Moshi road, which makes it easy to fit into an arrival or departure day.

How long does a visit take?

Two to three hours covers the rim trail and a canoe trip comfortably. Adding the Tengeru market alongside makes a relaxed half day. It is not a place that requires or rewards longer, and most visitors combine it with something else in the Arusha area such as a coffee farm tour or Arusha National Park. Entry includes a guide for the rim trail, and canoes are hired separately at the lakeshore with a paddler.

Is it good for families?

Yes, particularly for families with younger children. The rim trail is gentle, the canoeing is on sheltered water, there are no dangerous animals anywhere in the reserve, and the whole visit is short enough not to test anyone's patience. It works well as a first outing for families arriving jet-lagged before a longer safari begins. It works particularly well as a gentle first outing for visitors arriving jet-lagged before a longer safari.

When is the best time to visit?

June to October is dry and clear, with the firmest footing on the rim trail and the best chance of seeing Mount Meru above the forest. December to February is warm and largely dry. March to May brings the long rains, when the trail becomes slippery underfoot, though the forest is lush and birding is at its best as migrants arrive. The reserve sits on the main Arusha to Moshi road, which makes it easy to fit into an arrival or departure day.

Do I need a guide?

A guide is required for the rim trail and is included in the entry arrangement at the gate. They come from the surrounding villages and are generally good on the birds and the forest, which makes a considerable difference to what you notice. Canoes are hired separately at the lakeshore, usually with a paddler. Entry includes a guide for the rim trail, and canoes are hired separately at the lakeshore with a paddler.

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