Enjoy your day trip to Lake Duluti in Arusha. The Lake is formed inside a volcanic crater and has water throughout the year, mainly from groundwater and seasonal rainfall. The crater is a subsidiary vent to Mount Meru (4566m) that towers over the lake. The depth of the lake is unconfirmed, but locals estimate it at around 700m deep. Lake Duluti forest is about 1100m across and covers an area of 63ha. The walls of the crater – up to 200m high – are mostly covered in a thick forest. These thick forests are home to many reptiles as it provides a suitable environment for hunting and nesting.
The lake itself also provides the perfect habitat for water birds and Duluti is claimed to have up to 130 different species. The most common birds that can be seen include grey herons, fish eagles, cormorants, ospreys, egrets, and kingfishers. However, the lake has abundant fish proven by many groups of cormorants that hang out together to fish. Many locals come to the lake at night to fish, which of course is making competition for food among the wild animals harder.
Moshi Town (Google Map)
Early In The Morning
A 50-minute drive from Moshi and just a 20-minute drive away from Arusha, in the shadow of Mount Meru, lays a crater lake. The Meru people of the area named it Duluti.
We will get a chance to go canoeing to explore the lake from a different perspective. This is a great way to explore the marsh areas of the lake. Here, huge papyrus plants are a noisy, colorful nesting ground for many of the birds. Usually, a canoe trip around the lake takes around 2-3 hours.
If walking is your thing, then the hike around the crater is a ‘must’. A small path leads through the forest that provides enough shade that you can certainly do the walk even at the hottest time of the day.
Every now and then, there is a ‘window’ from where hikers can admire birds as well as the breathtaking views of Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro. Afterward, hikers are accompanied by a ranger from the Duluti forest reserve and the hike around the lake can take more than 2 hours.
Where is Lake Duluti Located?
It is located in Meru District near the town of Tengeru and is 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) from the Arusha city centre and 1.31 kilometres (0.81 mi) from the Arusha-Moshi road.
How safe is canoeing in lake Duluti?
It is very safe, however, for safety reasons they do give you a life jacket and canoeing can either be done around the whole perimeter of the lake or just to the lake’s island and back.
What are the attractions in Lake Duluti?
A nature trail around the lake is a sanctuary for over 130 different bird species including kingfishers, osprey, buzzards, eagles, doves, storks, and babets.
Lake Duluti is also home to many reptiles such as snakes and lizards.
Fishing
Guided nature walks or canoeing can be arranged.
Wonderful views of Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro can often be seen
Surrounded by the forested crater walls this is a very special and quiet canoeing experience. View hundreds of cattle egrets returning to an island in the lake to roost for the night.
