The Olduvai Gorge Museum was a 1-hour stopover on our way to the next Serengeti lodge. The spherical building is an easy stroll through open air cubbies depicting culture and history. Inside one compartment was a reproduction in scale of Lucy, the oldest human remains ever discovered. She lived 3 million years ago.Situated in a valley and articulate locals provided a tutorial of the history, and purpose of the museum/

Nested amidst the ancient landscapes of Tanzania, the Olduvai gorge is a timeless treasure trove of human history. My recent to this museum was a journey through time, an experience that left me in awe of our shared pasts. The Olduvai gorge museum offers a captivating glimpse into human history, showcasing ancient artifacts and fossils. Visitors can explore exhibits. displaying tools crafted by early humans and fossils remains of hominins like Australopithecus and homo habilis. The museum's highlight in the iconic Laetoli footprints, preserved for over 3.6 million years. knowledgeable guides provide insights into archeological expeditions and the significance of each discovery. set amidst the breathtaking landscapes of the Gorge, the museum is a must-visit for those interested in anthropology and our shared origins.

A very interesting place. Fascinating. I decided not to take photos as a young lady took us around the exhibition and buy a book at the end. The book was $20 so did not buy it. The shop was not a shop as we know it. Display cases with T-shirts etc and items to buy but no prices!! Not a shop. A restaurant that was shut. Our guide asked the lady in the kitchen if she could make coffee but apparently that was not possible! This is a place crying out for a proper shop and a decent cafe where you can get hot and cold drinks, snacks and food all day long! A business opportunity missed. Our guide went to talk to the people there but it fell on deaf ears. So if you go do not look forward to a coffee and a bun! It will not happen.

You should not pass this Museum up if you are in the Serengeti National Park. This is truly one of the most unique archaeological sites in all the world. There is nowhere else like it. So much of our understanding of human evolution and early Hominids originates from this still active site. The museum is outstanding and if you can get Grace, one of the guides to show you around, you will be amazed. Grace is a tremendous and informative guide. She's actually worked at some of the digs and she's a font of knowledge about all things Olduvai ( which we learned should be called Olduvai - thank you Grace!). Be sure to also venture beyond the museum and visit the Leakey camp and Zinj site. Go visit and be amazed at our history! You won't be sorry.

We were not originally scheduled to visit the museum but realized it was on the way to the Serengeti from our lodge at the Ngorongoro Crater so decided to stop in. It was well worth it. Very nice set of displays showing a replica of the ancient tracks found nearby, as well as lots of information about our very earliest ancestors.

We began our stop at the museum with an introduction by a very friendly guide called Massimo (sp). He sat us down in a sort of amphitheater overlooking the breathtaking gorge while he gave us a brief but very informative history of the gorge. Did you know the name of the gorge is actually Oldupai, not Olduvai? Apparently, the gorge was named after one of the very useful plants that grow there: pai. Apparently, when the journalist reported the indescribable discoveries in the gorge, he translated the name from German incorrectly. Unfortunately, the incorrect name was publicized worldwide and the location is still known as Olduvai Gorge today. Our guide showed us into the museum, pointing out the different areas. It is open-air with several “rooms” set up for displays with well-written English explanations. Many original fossils of historic remains are on display and many more are casts. It is mind-blowing to view human remains millions of years old. There is also a large cast of the Laetoli Footprints of three Australopithecus afarensis walking through the area 3.6 million years ago. The famous skeleton of “Lucy”, an early human ancestor who lived about 3.18 million years ago, elegantly displayed with shiny metal toes and other parts that did not survive, is very impressive. After a visit to the museum, you can request a hike into the gorge to get a better idea of the enormity of the task of locating the ancient fossils of man in that environment. I was especially impressed by the mountain of debris that was removed and sifted for ancient remains.The hike costs $20 per person and takes about an hour. At the end of the trail there is a small monument marking the location of Mary Leaky’s historical find. We enjoyed our tour of the museum and the hike to the floor of the gorge more than I expected. You don’t have to be an anthropologist to appreciate these finds.

Visited oldupai on our way from Ngorongoro crater lodge to Klein camp. We had our own vehicle so making to the museum was easy. We had a tour arranged in advance through our safari company. Our Oldupai tour guide Jackie was very knowledgeable and answered our multiple questions. Research continues through today on this incredible site. The museum is well laid out and the signage is in English. One of the highlights of our trip to East Africa Definitely out of the way with no public transportation options. Feeling blessed to be able to visit this archaeological wonderland. Thank you, Dr Leakey