DAR ES SALAAM: NGORONGORO Conservation Area Authority (NCAA) is stepping up efforts to market Ngorongoro as the world’s cradle of humankind, seeking to attract more visitors to a destination that combines ancient human history, wildlife conservation and cultural heritage.
The authority said the iconic conservation area remains one of the world’s most significant archaeological and tourism sites, with discoveries dating back millions of years providing evidence of early human evolution.
Speaking at the 50th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF), NCAA Conservation Commissioner AbdulRazak Badru said Ngorongoro offers visitors a rare opportunity to explore the origins of humanity through globally recognised discoveries at Olduvai Gorge and the Laetoli footprints.
“Ngorongoro is where our story began. We are inviting everyone from Tanzania, Africa and the rest of the world to come home and witness the place where the history of mankind started,” Badru said.
He said scientific findings, including early hominin fossils discovered at Olduvai Gorge and footprints preserved at Laetoli, have established the area as a key destination for researchers and tourists seeking to understand human evolution dating back about 3.5 million years.
Beyond its archaeological value, Badru said Ngorongoro remains a leading wildlife destination, supporting diverse ecosystems and populations of Africa’s Big Five.
The conservation area also plays a critical role in protecting endangered species, including the black rhinoceros.
He said the area’s uniqueness lies in its combination of wildlife, ancient history and living cultures, with communities such as the Hadzabe and Datoga preserving traditional lifestyles that provide visitors with cultural experiences alongside natural attractions.
Badru urged Tanzanians to promote Ngorongoro as ambassadors of the destination, saying increased domestic and international tourism would support conservation efforts and local economic opportunities.
The campaign forms part of broader efforts to strengthen Tanzania’s tourism sector by highlighting Ngorongoro’s unmatched role in human history, biodiversity conservation and cultural preservation.