History of Ngorongoro

Around 2.5 million years ago, powerful volcanic eruptions in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area led to the formation of massive calderas. One volcano erupted with such force that it collapsed, creating what is now the world’s largest intact caldera—the Ngorongoro Crater.

The area is also rich in human history. Fossils discovered in Olduvai Gorge show that early human ancestors lived here as far back as 3 million years ago. Thousands of years later, the Datooga and Mbulu communities settled in the region, but they were eventually displaced by the Maasai in the 18th century. Today, this land remains a vital link between nature, wildlife, and human heritage.

• In 1892, the first Europeans set foot inside the rim of the area and started setting up farming grounds. Hunting became prevalent in the area around this time.

• But, in 1928, hunting was prohibited across all areas of Tanzania.

• In 1948, an area inside the premises was created – this was Serengeti National Park. Some issues however arose for the tribal communities living on this land.

• So, in 1959, the Serengeti was separated, and another area of land was created specifically for the tribal communities. This is now known as the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

The name was given by the Maasai pastoralists and it resembles the sound a cowbell makes. Ngorongoro means ‘big hole’ in English. And it’s rather accurate given it is home to the Ngorongoro Crater.

In the modern era, the land of the NCA is multi-use. It is also the only conservation area across Tanzania that helps in wildlife conservation as well as allowing human habitation.

If the volcanic eruption hadn’t happened then, the Crater could have been as tall as Mount Kilimanjaro. Can you imagine what Safaris in Tanzania would have looked like then? But, no worries because what was once upon a time an active volcano is now home to thousands of wildlife and many tribal communities that coexist in peace.