Ngorongoro-Lengai Geoheritage museum pulls visitors
ARUSHA: THE newly inaugurated Ngorongoro-Lengai Geopark Heritage Museum has begun attracting a growing number of visitors, eager to learn about Tanzania’s rich tourism attractions, natural resource conservation and ancient heritage.
The modern facility was officially launched last month by former Vice-President Dr Philip Mpango, marking a major milestone in the country’s efforts to promote geotourism and heritage education.
Visitors to the museum are offered a wide range of experiences from exploring the Earth’s ancient formation and viewing natural features of the Great Rift Valley, to observing a three-million-year-old rock preserved within the Ngorongoro-Lengai geological reserve.
The museum also provides insights into the traditions and lifestyles of local communities including the Hadzabe, Iraqw, Datoga, and Maasai, as well as interactive exhibits such as identifying animal sounds and simulated bicycle races against wildlife.
Among the early visitors was a choir from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania (ELCT), Northern Central Diocese – Karatu District, Qurus Parish, which toured the museum and recorded songs for its upcoming album titled “Tumetoka Mbali” (We Have Come a Long Way).
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Choir leader Evangelist Eliamani Kimay said the group chose the venue because of its impressive design and the wealth of educational information displayed inside.
“Through our music, we want to spread the Gospel while also showcasing God’s creation as reflected in the museum’s unique exhibits,” he said.
Choir member Mariamu Emmanuel added that the decision to record at the museum was aimed at promoting Ngorongoro’s attractions and inspiring more citizens to visit the site.
“We want people to come and learn about God’s creation, geological wonders, cultural heritage, archaeology, and the origins of humankind all of which reveal the greatness of the Creator,” she said.
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area was granted UNESCO Geopark status in 2018, making it the only geopark in sub-Saharan Africa and the second in Africa after Morocco.
During the inauguration, Dr Mpango commended the leadership of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA) for their creativity in establishing the museum, noting that it not only enhances Tanzania’s tourism profile but also contributes to national income.
He urged Tanzanians to visit the museum to learn about the origins of local attractions and cultures so that they can serve as ambassadors of Tanzania’s heritage both at home and abroad.
