Mkuu wa Wilaya ya Handeni azungumza na Vyombo vya Habari kuhusu sakata la Wamasai 135 waliohama kwa hiari kutoka Ngorongoro kwenda Msomera
More than 300 participants took part in a five-kilometre fun run at the Olduvai Gorge in Ngorongoro Conservation Area aimed at promoting the unique natural, archaeological and historical attractions of Olduvai and Laetoli — globally recognized as the cradle of early human history.
Speaking on behalf of the Conservation Commissioner during the event, Senior Assistant Conservation Commissioner responsible for Tourism Services and Marketing, Mariam Kobelo, said the event was organized through a partnership between Ngorongoro and Cape to Cairo Marathon to showcase the outstanding natural heritage, cultural history and archaeological significance of Olduvai and Laetoli as the birthplace of humankind.
She further noted that Ngorongoro is also home to the world-famous wildebeest migration, explaining that the first breath of migrating wildebeest calves begins in Ndutu within Ngorongoro before the animals continue their annual migration journey across East Africa. “Ngorongoro is scientifically recognized as the home of human origins, the home of the annual wildebeest migration, the habitat of more than 500 bird species, and the home of Africa’s Big Five.
In essence, Ngorongoro is home to an extraordinary concentration of natural wonders, which is why we continue to tell the world that ‘Wonders Are Calling,’” Kobelo emphasized.
Director of the Cape to Cairo Marathon, Timothy Mdinka, said the objective of the event is to promote emerging tourism products in Tanzania and across Africa through sports tourism activities, including the Olduvai run and the upcoming Cape to Cairo Marathon scheduled for May 31, 2026. The event brought together a wide range of stakeholders including Ngorongoro, Cape to Cairo International Marathon, Karatu Runners, Amani Collection, CRDB Bank, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), as well as the Diplomatic and Tourism Police from Arusha.
The commemoration of Africa World Heritage Day, held on May 5, 2026, at the Ngorongoro Geopark Heritage Museum in Karatu, brought together four indigenous communities—the Maasai, Hadzabe, Datoga, and Iraqw—who form part of the Ngorongoro–Lengai Geopark. The event demonstrated the powerful convergence of natural and cultural heritage, reinforcing Ngorongoro’s position as a vital hub of world heritage within the East African region.
Addressing the gathering, Karatu District Commissioner, Hon. Dr. Lameck Karanga, emphasized that the presence, history, and traditions of these communities constitute an invaluable national asset. He called upon stakeholders and the wider public to strengthen conservation efforts and identify additional sites for inclusion on the World Heritage List, thereby enhancing their Outstanding Universal Value and attracting increased global tourism.
Speaking on behalf of the Ngorongoro conservation leadership, Deputy Commissioner for Conservation, Tourism and Community Development, Mr. Joas Makwati, reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to safeguarding and promoting the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. He highlighted the site’s unique global significance as a repository of scientific evidence on human origins, supported by discoveries of early human remains and stone tools at Olduvai Gorge.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Secretary of the National Commission for UNESCO Tanzania, Dr. Khamis Said, noted that since joining UNESCO, Tanzania has achieved significant milestones, including the ratification of ten UNESCO conventions, the establishment of six Biosphere Reserves, and the inscription of seven World Heritage Sites.
This year’s commemoration was held under the theme “Celebrating Africa’s Heritage, Mentoring the Leaders of Tomorrow,” underscoring the dual imperative of preserving heritage while empowering future generations to safeguard and advance it.
Stakeholders in world heritage from across Tanzania—including Pemba, Unguja, Stone Town, Bagamoyo, Kondoa, the Kilwa Ruins, Mount Kilimanjaro, and other sites—have convened at the Ngorongoro Geopark Heritage Museum in Karatu District, Arusha Region, under the management of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority. The gathering marks the commemoration of Africa World Heritage Day, taking place from May 4–5, 2026.
While at the Geopark Heritage Museum, participants were briefed on the exceptional global value of Ngorongoro Conservation Area, whose formation dates back over two million years following a massive volcanic eruption that created the Ngorongoro Crater—an extraordinary ecosystem that integrates natural landscapes, human history, biodiversity, and ecological systems.
In a statement to the media, the Conservation Commissioner of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority, Abdul-Razaq Badru, expressed appreciation to all stakeholders, particularly UNESCO, for granting Ngorongoro the opportunity to host this year’s continental commemoration.
Participants also received scientific insights into the origins of early humans, with evidence from Olduvai Gorge, where some of the earliest human remains dating back approximately two million years were discovered, as well as the remarkable footprints at Laetoli, dating back 3.6 million years, demonstrating early human bipedalism.
Institutions participating in the commemoration include the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority, Tanzania National Parks Authority, Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority, Tanzania Forest Services Agency, along with representatives from World Heritage sites in Zanzibar.
The Conservation Commissioner of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority, Mr. Abdul-Razaq Badru, officially launched the month-long Safari Field Challenge on April 9, 2026, emphasizing that Ngorongoro Conservation Area is “home to all humanity” due to its scientifically recognized historical significance.
Speaking at the launch, Commissioner Badru thanked the eight participants for responding to the call to explore Ngorongoro, noting that the area is far more than the famous crater. He highlighted its rich cultural heritage, natural ecosystems, and its status as a cradle of human history, including the Laetoli Footprints, which date back over 3.6 million years. He also referenced unique features such as the shifting sands, the Ndutu plains where wildebeest are born, the presence of the “Big Five” in one ecosystem, Mount Lolmalasin, forests, diverse flora, and birdlife.
“Welcome to Ngorongoro, which is home to us all. Here, you will experience extraordinary wonders—feel them, live them, enjoy them, and share them—gaining knowledge that will enable you to become true ambassadors of the remarkable heritage found in Ngorongoro,” he said.
Commissioner Badru challenged participants to deepen their understanding of Ngorongoro and to tell its story with a unified and fresh perspective. In collaboration with Azam Media, the stories, history, and wonders of Ngorongoro will be shared globally, reinforcing the message that it is not just a tourist attraction but a shared origin of humanity.
Senior Assistant Commissioner for Tourism and Marketing Services, Mariam Chuma Kobelo, encouraged participants to explore and narrate Ngorongoro beyond its crater, noting that while Tanzania has many attractions, Ngorongoro stands out with even more to discover.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Tanzania Tour Guides Foundation, Mr. Mosses Njole, confirmed that all eight participants are well-prepared for the competition and commended Ngorongoro for its sponsorship, along with other partners including Azam Media for helping showcase its global significance.
Tanzania has reviewed progress of the Ngorongoro voluntary relocation programme, with a Presidential Commission concluding that while the initiative remains strategically important, its implementation has fallen short of expectations.
Presenting findings to President H.E. Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, Commission Chair Eng. Musa Iyombe reported that only 7.3% of households and 5.7% of livestock have relocated since 2022, highlighting operational and coordination challenges.
The Commission reaffirmed that the relocation programme is critical to improving livelihoods and protecting the fragile ecosystem of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a globally significant heritage site.
To address gaps, the Commission recommended key reforms, including:
stronger coordination through an independent management structure,
enhanced stakeholder engagement and transparency,
review of compensation and incentive frameworks,
completion of infrastructure in resettlement areas, and
legal and policy reforms to strengthen governance.
The Government has already made substantial investments in Msomera, Kitwai B, and Saunyi, where infrastructure, housing, and economic opportunities are being developed to support relocating communities.
However, concerns raised by residents—including land disputes, service delivery challenges, and limited participation in decision-making—must be addressed to rebuild trust and ensure effective implementation.
The Commission concluded that, with the recommended improvements, the relocation programme can achieve its goals of balancing community welfare and long-term conservation in one of Africa’s most important ecosystems.
Arusha, Tanzania — The Ngorongoro Conservation Area has been presented as one of the world’s most important sites for understanding early human evolution, during the Annual Public Education Stakeholders Conference (WASHITIRI) organized by the Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC).
Speaking at the conference, Assistant Tourism Officer Mr. Hillary Remen emphasized that Ngorongoro provides compelling scientific evidence of early humans who walked upright, supported by internationally recognized discoveries such as the Laetoli Footprints and Olduvai Gorge.
Beyond its scientific importance, Ngorongoro is renowned for its diverse attractions, including the iconic Ngorongoro Crater, often described as a “Garden of Eden,” alongside rich biodiversity, Ndutu wildebeest calving grounds, forests, waterfalls, and unique volcanic landscapes.
The area’s significance is further reinforced by the Ngorongoro Geopark Museum, which offers insights into early human adaptation and environmental change over time.
The conference, being held in Arusha, brings together key stakeholders in public education and is expected to be officially opened by Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Mwigulu Nchemba, with Ngorongoro featured as a leading destination in Tanzania’s tourism and heritage portfolio.
KARATU, Tanzania — Tanzania’s Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Dr. Ashatu Kijaji, has announced that the Ngorongoro–Lengai Geopark Museum is ready to be introduced to the tourism market after its construction was completed.
Dr. Kijaji made the remarks during a visit by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Lands, Natural Resources and Tourism, led by its Chairperson Hon. Timotheo Mnzava, which toured the facility to learn about its significance in human history and geology.
During the visit, members of the committee received detailed insights into the history of human origins and the geological importance of the Ngorongoro, Serengeti, and Maasai Mara ecosystems, which form one of the world’s most significant natural heritage landscapes.
Dr. Kijaji said the completion of the project marks an important milestone in Tanzania’s efforts to expand its tourism portfolio and promote heritage-based attractions.
“The project has been completed 100 percent, and we are now ready to introduce the facility as a new tourism product that will add value to Tanzania’s tourism sector,” she said.
The Ngorongoro–Lengai Geopark Museum is expected to serve as both a tourism attraction and an educational hub, highlighting the geological evolution of the region and the history of early human development.
The government plans to promote the museum as part of Tanzania’s broader strategy to strengthen heritage tourism, scientific research, and international educational exchange.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Lands, Natural Resources and Tourism, led by its Chairperson Hon. Timotheo Mnzava (MP), on March 13, 2026, was presented with scientific evidence demonstrating that the Ngorongoro area is among the most significant locations in the world for understanding the origins of early humans.
During the committee’s visit to Karatu District in Arusha Region, experts explained that the region holds some of the most comprehensive archaeological records documenting the early stages of human evolution.
This invaluable historical evidence has been preserved and showcased at the Ngorongoro Geopark Museum, located in Karatu, which serves as a major center for the preservation and interpretation of humanity’s ancient past.
Speaking before the parliamentary committee, Chief Conservator of Antiquities Dr. Agness Gidna emphasized that the Ngorongoro Conservation Area contains an extraordinary continuum of human history, connecting ancient hominin life from hundreds of thousands to millions of years ago to modern human generations.
Members of Parliament expressed satisfaction with the existence of the museum and urged the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA) to intensify global promotion of the facility and its historical and scientific significance.
Committee Chairperson Hon. Timotheo Mnzava further advised the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism to broaden international promotion of Tanzania’s tourism attractions, including the museum.
Meanwhile, Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Hon. Dr. Ashatu Kijaji (MP) informed the committee that the ministry and its institutions are continuing to implement strategic tourism marketing initiatives across key global markets in Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
She noted that the government aims to attract more than 8 million tourists by 2030, adding that the ministry is committed to introducing at least one new tourism product to the international market every year to strengthen Tanzania’s tourism portfolio.
For his part, Ngorongoro Conservation Commissioner Abdul-Razaq Badru stated that plans are underway to enhance infrastructure at the Geopark Museum to improve visitor experiences and align with Ngorongoro’s branding as a “Premium Safari Destination.”
Ngorongoro, Tanzania —
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