Olduvai Gorge

Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania, East Africa

Are you intrigued by major discoveries that happen completely by accident? If so, you’re going to want to experience Olduvai Gorge.

Olduvai Gorge History

Olduvai Gorge is also known as the “cradle of mankind.” It’s named after the Maasai word for the wild sisal plant, which is often called Oldupaai.

Fifty years ago, a German entomologist named Professor Kattwinkel almost literally stumbled upon this site as he was studying butterflies in the area.

This site has since become a tourist destination in Tanzania. Why? Well Olduvai Gorge contains hundreds of fossils, bones and artifacts. And it’s now known as an important prehistoric site.

Olduvai Gorge, and other sites like it, hold the promise of answers to questions about evolution. It’s intriguing to us all, but especially to anyone with an interest in anthropology.

Since its discovery, Olduvai Gorge has become one of the world’s most important prehistoric sites. And you can visit this area of Tanzania to experience its rich history and cultural significance.

We’re not exactly sure how far back these fossils date, but scientists estimate that the oldest date back over 2 million years.

Millions of years ago, this site was very different than it is today. It was actually a massive lake with volcanic-ash-covered shores.

As scientists dig deeper, they uncover hidden treasures that reveal more about human history. Each layer gives way to new findings from different historic periods.

Louis and Mary Leakey pioneered excavation work in the 1950s that eventually led to a later discovery of Australopithecus boisei, also known as “nutcracker man.” This is the remains of a man who is believed to be 1.7 million years old.

Visiting Olduvai Gorge

During your Olduvai Gorge, you can spend the day looking at and learning about the various excavation sites. You may also learn more about the overall history of Olduvai Gorge at the Olduvai Gorge Museum.

Your Olduvai Gorge safari can become a stop on along the bumpy road to the Serengeti.

Customize Your Journey 

Avoid the crowded commercial photographic safaris and join Golden Sky Safaris for a one-of-a-kind experience through Olduvai Gorge.

  • Duration – Choose a quick tryst or a long safari depending on how much time you have to dedicate. For most, these are major excursions with much to see and do, so we recommend at least 7 days.
  • Comfort. Some people love camping style and “roughing it” outdoors while others are looking for a more luxurious vacation. We have various accommodation options for every safari, so tell us about your personal style, and we’ll help you build the perfect trip.
  • Activity level. Our safaris can range from leisurely car rides (with exciting wildlife spotting among breathtaking terrain) to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. And we cover everything in-between. The sky is the limit. Just let us know more about your dream safari.
  • Budget. All safaris are customizable to suit various budgets, so we can accommodate guests from the entry level all the way to fully personalized luxury safaris.

Next Steps

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With Golden Sky Safari, each safari is customized to your needs, expectations and budget. Whether you prefer the 5-star tented remote experience or want to be in the bigger lodges on a less budget, we will customize your safari to perfection.