Lake Ngozi

Ngozi fills a caldera in the Poroto range south of Mbeya, roughly two and a half kilometres long and a kilometre wide, and it is one of the larger crater lakes in Africa. The colour shifts between deep green and blue depending on the light and on the algae in the water. A path climbs about half an hour through montane forest from the road to the crater rim, where the drop opens suddenly, and local stories attach a spirit and a snake to the lake.

What you actually see

• The crater rim - the sudden drop to the water at the end of the forest climb.
• The colour - green and blue shifting with light and algae in the water.
• The montane forest - the walk up through closed forest with colobus and hornbills.
• The scale - a caldera lake around two and a half kilometres long.

When to go

June to October for the driest walking and the clearest views. The wet season makes the path very slippery. Cloud often sits on the rim in the afternoon.

Honest expectations

The path is steep and muddy and guides are effectively compulsory. Cloud frequently closes the view entirely. There are no facilities at the rim.

Nearby

Mount Rungwe is south, and Mbeya is north.