Lake Ngosi
Second largest crater lake in Africa
Location:
Region: Mbeya
Category: Crater lake
To-do activities:
Viewpoint, photography, camping, and trekking.
Best time to visit:
Throughout the year. Hardship depends on the weather
Accommodation:
Facilities available in the nearby town of Mbeya
About Lake Ngosi
Part of the Uporoto mountains, Lake Ngosi is located in a dense forest that encompasses around 9,332 hectares at 2,600 meters above sea level on the Ngosi peak. The lake is 2.5 kilometers long, 1.5 kilometers wide, and about 75 meters deep. It is the second-largest crater lake in Africa, just after lake Wench in Ethiopia
The lake got its name from the Safwa word "Ligosi" which means "Big One." The history of the formation of the lake has the scientific version and the local's version. Scientifically, Lake Ngosi is believed to be created about 12,000 years ago in a Plinian eruption. However, the locals have their own versions of the story:
According to the Nyakyusa, an ethnic tribe in Mbeya, a sharman by the name of Lwembe was driven from his native town of Ukwama after the locals became tired of his cunning deception. He is alleged to have run off to a location close to the water. Every time they grazed close, cows started to vanish; people also started going missing. The Nyakyusa elders made the decision to cast their own magic spells as they heated a large rock in a fire for three days before rolling it into the lake to drive away the devil. After that, the threat vanished.
Other legends claim that German soldiers from the colonial era deposited a sizable amount of loot into the lake's waters and cast a spell to secure the gold and thwart anyone else's attempts to retrieve it. Some claim that this also involves the release of toxic gasses, although scientifically these gasses may be related to volcanic activity. In other versions of this folklore, the treasure is guarded by a 12-headed serpent that emerges from the ground on sunny days. It's however unclear whether there has ever been a treasure.
Interesting facts about Lake Ngosi
It is the second-largest crater lake in Africa, after lake Wench in Ethiopia
The lake has a near-perfect shape of African continent making it a unique view on a clear sky
Before the management of the lake moved to Tanzania Forestry Service, the lake was under the supervision of two Safwa clans, Chief Mlotwa Mwalingo and Chief Mlotwa Mwalupindi
The levels of the waters are hardly noticeable in spite of it going down during dry season and increasing after rainy seasons
The lake is 2.5 kilometers long, 1.5 kilometers wide, and about 75 meters deep
Home to some of beautiful species such as the chameleons and colobus monkeys, as well as lust green vegetation
Journey to Lake Ngosi
Lake Ngosi is found about 35 km from Mbeya town. To get there, one needs a car, preferably a 4x4 due to the nature of the road. To be able to see the stunning view of the lake you'll need to hike to the top of the crater to see the lake in a clear sky. The 1-2 hours hike is moderate to tough depending on the weather and how used you are to hiking. The views are also stunning on the sides as you walk down through the crater. I would recommend using proper hiking shoes during the hike since the trails can be muddy in the rainy season. On the way, the guide will share with you some stories about the lake and show you some natural herbs and plants (we were given water from a certain plant)
