Cultural & Historical
#tanzania history
Olduvai Gorge
Olduvai Gorge is the 'Cradle of Mankind', where the Leakeys uncovered some of the oldest known human fossils and footprints.
Altitude
1,400 m
Location
Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Northern Tanzania
Best Time
Year-round
Olduvai (or Oldupai) Gorge is one of the most important paleoanthropological sites in the world. Excavations by Louis and Mary Leakey from the 1930s onward unearthed fossils and stone tools spanning nearly two million years of human evolution, including the famous Laetoli footprints nearby.
A small museum on the gorge rim explains the finds and the area's geology. It sits conveniently on the route between Ngorongoro and the Serengeti.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Olduvai Gorge important?
Olduvai is called the Cradle of Mankind because the Leakeys discovered hominid fossils and tools there spanning nearly two million years of human evolution.
Can you visit Olduvai Gorge on a safari?
Yes — it lies on the road between Ngorongoro and the Serengeti, and its rim museum makes an easy and fascinating stop.
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