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Mike Krüger CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

Olduvai Gorge

Archaeological Site

Olduvai Gorge records key finds in human evolution with excavation sites and an on‑site museum explaining hominin fossils. Researchers and travelers visit for paleoanthropology and visible field trenches.

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In this guide

Olduvai Gorge essentials

Address: Olduvai Gorge, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Arusha Region, Tanzania
Website: tanzaniaparks.go.tz (Ngorongoro
Hours: Visitor center typically open daily morning-late afternoon (hours vary seasonally)
Admission: Entrance and research fees may apply; small museum access fees minimal (check site for up-to-date info)
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About Olduvai Gorge

Olduvai Gorge is a deep, sedimentary ravine in northern Tanzania renowned for its rich record of early human fossils and stone tools. The exposed layers have produced fossils and cultural material that extend back roughly two million years and have been central to studies of human evolution.

The site includes visible excavation areas and a small museum that presents casts and interpretations of the finds; guided visits explain the stratigraphy and major discoveries. The gorge’s sequence of deposits records changing environments and human activity over long timescales.

Excavations were led by Louis and Mary Leakey in the mid-20th century, and Mary Leakey’s 1959 discovery of a robust hominin (Paranthropus boisei) is among the site’s landmark finds. Research at Olduvai transformed understanding of early hominin anatomy and tool use.

Olduvai Gorge lies within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in northern Tanzania and runs through savannah and woodland landscapes; the exposed ravine is several tens of kilometres long and locally reaches tens of metres in depth.

  • Key discovery: Mary Leakey’s 1959 discovery of the robust hominin now called Paranthropus boisei (originally Zinjanthropus) is one of the site’s most famous finds.
  • Age of remains: Fossils and stone tools found here date back up to roughly two million years, making the gorge one of the most important early human archaeological sites in Africa.

What to See#

  • Excavation exposures: Old excavation sites and exposed stratified layers show fossils and stone tool horizons up to around two million years old and are visible along the gorge walls.
  • Olduvai Gorge Museum: A small on-site museum displays casts and copies of key hominin fossils and explains the major finds and stratigraphy discovered at the site.
Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Olduvai Gorge

Visit in the dry season for easier travel and clearer skies; hire a guide at the visitor center for the full archaeological interpretation.

Dry season
Jun-Oct · 15-25°C
Cooler mornings and stable roads make for easier access.
Short rains
Nov-Dec · 18-28°C
Greener landscape; archaeological work continues but access can be muddier.

Weather & Climate near Olduvai Gorge

Climate

Olduvai Gorge's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 11°C to 29°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 66 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustSeptember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
29°
Warmest Month
5°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Excellent 14° - 28° 21° 66 mm partly cloudy 76% 2.8 m/s 2.6 extreme 12.1h
February Excellent 14° - 29° 22° 83 mm partly cloudy 75% 3.2 m/s 2.8 extreme 12.1h
March Excellent 15° - 28° 22° 87 mm partly cloudy 78% 2.8 m/s 2.8 extreme 12.0h
April Very Good 15° - 27° 21° 73 mm partly cloudy 83% 2.2 m/s 2.5 extreme 11.9h
May Excellent 14° - 26° 20° 27 mm partly cloudy 84% 2.5 m/s 2.3 extreme 11.9h
June Ideal 12° - 25° 19° 2 mm partly cloudy 79% 3.8 m/s 2.0 extreme 11.9h
July Ideal 11° - 24° 18° 5 mm some cloud 73% 4.3 m/s 2.1 extreme 11.9h
August Ideal 12° - 25° 19° 5 mm some cloud 69% 4.3 m/s 2.3 extreme 11.9h
September Ideal 13° - 27° 20° 3 mm some cloud 63% 3.0 m/s 2.6 extreme 12.0h
October Excellent 14° - 28° 21° 11 mm partly cloudy 65% 2.6 m/s 2.7 extreme 12.1h
November Excellent 15° - 28° 21° 57 mm partly cloudy 75% 2.8 m/s 2.5 extreme 12.1h
December Excellent 15° - 27° 21° 72 mm partly cloudy 78% 3.4 m/s 2.5 extreme 12.1h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Olduvai Gorge

Olduvai Gorge is accessed via dirt roads from the Ngorongoro Conservation Area; most visitors arrive with organized tours from Arusha or from lodges around Ngorongoro. The closest major hub is the town of Karatu or the Ngorongoro visitor center.

Tips for Visiting Olduvai Gorge

  • Hire a licensed guide at the Olduvai Gorge visitor center for the best explanation of excavation layers.
  • Combine a visit with a trip to nearby Ngorongoro Conservation Area for broader region context.
  • Bring a hat and water-the high plain can be surprisingly sunny and dry.