Conservation areaNorthern Tanzania
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
A wildlife-filled volcanic crater and the Maasai highlands.
Archaeological site
Olduvai Gorge
A cradle of humankind between Ngorongoro and the Serengeti.
- Northern Tanzania
- Best: Jan–Feb, Jun–Oct
- Part of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area World Heritage Site
Overview
- Managed by
- Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority
- Known for
- Early human fossils and stone tools
- From the crater rim
- About 1–1.5 hours
Olduvai Gorge is a steep ravine in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, on the road to the Serengeti. Fossils and stone tools found here by Mary and Louis Leakey and others record nearly two million years of human evolution.
A museum on the rim explains the finds, and guides lead short walks into the gorge. Nearby, the Shifting Sands is a black volcanic-ash dune that creeps across the plain.
The Laetoli footprints, made by early hominins in volcanic ash about 3.6 million years ago, lie to the south and can be visited separately.
- Olduvai Gorge Museum
Fossils, casts and the story of the Leakeys.
- The gorge
Guided walks to the excavation sites.
- Shifting Sands
A moving dune of black volcanic ash.
Things to do
- Museum and gorge visitUS$35.40
About one to two hours.
- Laetoli footprintsUS$23.60
Separate visit to the south.
Prices are the foreign non-resident rate per person. Resident and East African rates are lower; see the full table below.
When to go
Open all year; an easy stop between Ngorongoro and the Serengeti.
- Jan: Best
- Feb: Best
- Mar: Good
- Apr: Wetter
- May: Wetter
- Jun: Best
- Jul: Best
- Aug: Best
- Sep: Best
- Oct: Best
- Nov: Good
- Dec: Good
Fees and permits
Official rates from the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA tariffs (VAT inclusive)). Children, vehicle and accommodation rates are in the full tariff.
| Item | Foreign non-resident | Foreign resident | Rest of Africa | East African citizen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olduvai Gorge and Shifting Sandsper adult (16+)Children 5–15: TZS 1,180 / US$11.80 (EAC citizen / others). | US$35.40 | US$35.40 | US$35.40 | TZS 5,900 |
| Laetoli footprintsper adult (16+) | US$23.60 | US$23.60 | US$23.60 | TZS 5,900 |
- Olduvai Gorge and Shifting Sandsper adult (16+)
- Foreign non-resident
- US$35.40
- Foreign resident
- US$35.40
- Rest of Africa
- US$35.40
- East African citizen
- TZS 5,900
Children 5–15: TZS 1,180 / US$11.80 (EAC citizen / others).
- Laetoli footprintsper adult (16+)
- Foreign non-resident
- US$23.60
- Foreign resident
- US$23.60
- Rest of Africa
- US$23.60
- East African citizen
- TZS 5,900
- The site is inside the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, so NCAA entry (US$70.80 per non-EAC adult) also applies.
- An entry permit is valid for one entry within 24 hours. Children are aged 5–15; under-5s are free. Other African citizens pay the non-EAC rate.
- Tariffs can change without notice. Confirm the amount when you pay.
Getting there
- By roadFrom Ngorongoro crater rimAbout 1–1.5 hours
On the main road towards the Serengeti's Naabi Hill Gate.
Open larger map Directions Marker shows an approximate location.
Photos
Know before you go
- Most visitors stop on the way to or from the Serengeti; allow at least an hour.
- Foreign visitors must buy Tanzania's US$44 inbound travel insurance (92 days) before arrival: from NIC for the mainland or ZIC for Zanzibar. One policy covers both; residents of EAC and SADC countries are exempt.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Olduvai Gorge important?
Its layers preserve fossils and stone tools spanning nearly two million years, including early members of the human family.
How much does it cost to visit Olduvai Gorge?
US$35.40 per non-EAC adult, or TZS 5,900 for East African citizens, on top of Ngorongoro Conservation Area entry.
Sources
Checked on 23 October 2026. Fees and rules change; confirm with the authority or your operator before you pay.
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Places to pair with Olduvai Gorge
Conservation area
National park