Olduvai Gorge Tanzania

Size: 48 sq. km (30 km sq. miles).
Location: Northern Tanzania, 300 km (190 miles) Northwest of Arusha.
Olduvai Gorge is commonly referred to as “The Cradle of Mankind.” It is a steep-sided ravine in the Great East African Rift Valley in eastern Serengeti. Olduvai is locally called Oldupai, a name given by the Maasai after the Sisal growing in the gorge.
Olduvai is known internationally for the impressive archaeological discoveries made by Doctors Louis and Mary Leakey, which included the skull of a humanoid believed to be 1.75 million years old. It lies on the short grass plains of the Serengeti. Not only have fossils of humanoid origin such as the homo habilis been found here, but also fossils from prehistoric animals that lived around there.
An American and Tanzanian archaeological team made the latest and probably greatest findings in 1986. They discovered human fossils, including 302 bones and teeth belonging to a female some 1.8 million years old. Excavations still continue in the gorge during the dry season, and you can enter here with a guide. There is also a small museum showing some of the finds and a resting place suitable for a picnic lunch. Olduvai Gorge is located mid-way between Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti and can be part of many of our itineraries. It is a geo-historical masterpiece that gives travellers an historical insight of mankind – homo habilis - in Tanzania, and can be added to your itinerary by request.
Wildlife:
There is little wildlife surrounding Olduvai Gorge. The gorge is home to more than 150 different species of extinct mammals and birds that are excavated during the dry season.

How to Get There
Olduvai Gorge is located between the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. By road, charter or scheduled flight from Arusha, enroute to/from Serengeti.

What to do
The gorge is one of the most important archaeological sites in the world, known for fossils of prehistoric tools and homo habilis. Visit the small museum to learn more about the on-going excavations. Why not ask us to include a visit to Olduvai Gorge in your holiday itinerary?

When to go
Dry season is best (July-October) to witness excavations by museum and university archaeologists or the museum.

Accommodation
There are a few camps to stay at in Olduvai Gorge with most campers staying at nearby Simba site