The Conservation Commissioner of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA), Abdul-Razaq Badru, has said that the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is not only a world-renowned tourism destination but also a place that represents the origins of humankind.
Mr Badru made the remarks on April 9, 2026 while officially launching a month-long Safari Field Challenge, urging participants to explore, learn and help tell the story of Ngorongoro to the world.
Speaking during the launch, the commissioner symbolically blew a whistle to mark the start of the competition and thanked the eight participants who responded to the call to take part in the challenge.
He said Ngorongoro is far more than the famous Ngorongoro Crater, noting that the conservation area carries unique cultural, ecological and historical significance that places it among the most remarkable landscapes on earth.
Among the features he highlighted were the ancient Laetoli Footprints, which are believed to be more than 3.6 million years old and provide crucial evidence of early human evolution.
He also pointed to other natural wonders found within the conservation area, including the mysterious Shifting Sands, the annual wildebeest calving season in Ndutu, and the rare opportunity to see the “Big Five” wildlife species within a single ecosystem.
In addition, the commissioner noted the presence of Mount Mount Lolmalasin, the third-highest mountain in Tanzania, as well as the area’s rich forests, vegetation and birdlife.
Mr Badru encouraged the participants to use the challenge as an opportunity to experience and document the conservation area’s natural and historical treasures.
He said the experience would equip them with knowledge that would enable them to serve as ambassadors capable of explaining the uniqueness of Ngorongoro to audiences within and beyond Tanzania.
Mr Badru also challenged the participants to help promote Ngorongoro with a new perspective and a unified voice, noting that collaboration with Azam Media Limited would help bring the stories, history and wonders of the conservation area to wider audiences.
He stressed that Ngorongoro should not only be viewed as a unique tourism attraction but also as a place connected to the early history of humanity.
Senior Assistant Commissioner responsible for Tourism and Marketing Services at NCAA, Mariam Chuma Kobelo, told participants that Tanzania has many attractions to be proud of but that Ngorongoro stands out because of its extraordinary natural and cultural heritage.
She urged them to take time to learn about the conservation area and help communicate its broader significance beyond the crater itself.
Meanwhile, the chairman of the Tanzania Tour Guide Foundation (TTGF), Mosses Njole, said all eight contestants are ready and well prepared to participate in the Safari Field Challenge.
He commended the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority for sponsoring the initiative and acknowledged the role of other partners, including Azam Media, in helping share the story of Ngorongoro’s remarkable heritage with the public.
The month-long challenge is expected to provide participants with an opportunity to explore the conservation area, document its natural and historical attractions and share their experiences with audiences in Tanzania and beyond.
