11 Days Paradise in the Wilderness – Tanzania Explore: Kilimanjoro, Arusha, Tarangire, Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro. 11 Days Paradise in the Wilderness
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Olduvai Gorge (also referred to as Oldupai Gorge) is a fascinating palaeoanthropological site in Tanzania and it’s one of the most important of its kind in the world. This red dusty ochre of the Gorge stretches to about 48km long and 90 meters deep and is located in the Great Rift Valley in Northern Tanzania. It is situated between the Eastern Serengeti plains and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area at a distance of about 150km from the town of Arusha.
The history of Olduvai Gorge
This National Historic site of Tanzania was recognized as a UNESCO’s World Heritage site in 1979 due to the fact that it preserves the oldest history of mankind evolution and this has attracted the attention of many scientists for more than half a century. It is in this place that Human evolution happened from Australopithecus to Homo hence the nickname the cradle of mankind.
When was the gorge formed
The Olduvai Gorge was formed roughly about 30,000 years ago by erosion of an incised valley draining water from the Ndutu Lake into the Olbalbal depression at the foot of Ngorongoro cutting through several layers of the soil forming 4 independent beds. The name Oldupai Gorge comes from a Maasai word Oldupai which means the place of wild sisal, a species of flower plants that were largely spread in this area.
The discovery fossils of ancient hominines and the hominins
This Gorge was made famous in 1935 by the paleoanthropologists Louis and Mary Leakey when they discovered the fossils of ancient hominines and the hominins including the famous Zinjanthropus skull and the Homo habilis who are assumed to be the makers of the early stone tools that were found in this area after about 30 years of excavation. However, it was first stumbled upon by a German entomologist professor Kattwinkel in 1911.
Despite Olduvai Gorge being the most famous palaeoanthropological site in Tanzania, other excavation sites in this country include the Laetoli Hills which are located 45km south of the Olduvai Gorge and are renowned for the discovery of the Hominina footprints, which are preserved as Volcanic ash.
The Olduvai Gorge can be visited at any time of the year depending on a traveler’s choice however it’s advised that one hires an official guide when visiting these excavations for a better insight into the destination. Since it’s located between Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Serengeti National Park, it’s a good stop for a traveler visiting both these protected areas for a much fulfilling safari experience.
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