This shrew is known from forests in Tanzania's Ngorongoro Crater. Its dark-brown back contrasts with a dark-gray underside; the backs of its feet are paler, and translucent bristles grow near the base of its tail.
It has a robust body, dark-brown dorsal fur, and a dark-gray underside. The backs of the feet are paler, and translucent bristles occur near the tail base.
The 2015 species description reports records from montane forest on the Ngorongoro Crater rim at about 2,370 m and slightly drier forest on the southeastern slope at about 2,000 m. In a 2010 survey of Ngorongoro montane forests, 16 C. mdumai were observed; females made up 37%.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.