Northern Tourist Circuit

Serengeti / Ngorongoro / Manyara / Tarangire / Arusha / Olduvai

Olduvai Gorge, also known as The Cradle of Mankind, is locally called "Oldupai", a name given by the Maasai for the sisal that grows in the gorge. Known the world over for the fantastic archeological discoveries made by doctors Louis and Mary Leakey, including the skull of a humanoid, which is believed to be 1.75 million years old. The cradle of mankind lies on the short grass plains of the Serengeti. Not only have the fossils of humanoid origin being found, but also the fossils from prehistoric animals that lived around them. The latest and probably the greatest findings were made in 1986 by an American and Tanzanian archeological team. They discovered human fossils including 302 bones and teeth belonging to a female some 1.8 million years old. Excavations still continue in the gorge during dry season. It is possible to enter the gorge with a special guide. There is also a small museum showing some of the finds and a resting place suitable for a picnic lunch.