Tanzania has cemented its place among Africa’s leading heritage tourism destinations after becoming the continent’s second country to attain UNESCO Global Geopark status through the Ngorongoro-Lengai UNESCO Global Geopark, a milestone that has elevated the country’s international tourism and conservation profile.
The recognition has also paved the way for the establishment of a state-of-the-art Geopark Heritage Museum in Karatu District, Arusha Region, launched by the government in 2025 as part of efforts to promote geological tourism and preserve globally significant natural heritage.
Presenting the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism’s budget estimates for the 2026/27 financial year in Parliament in Dodoma, Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism Dr. Ashatu Kijaji said the museum forms part of the Ngorongoro-Lengai Geopark and was established to provide scientific and historical education on rocks, volcanoes and environmental evolution.
She said the facility is the only one of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa and reflects Tanzania’s growing contribution to the conservation of sites with outstanding global value.
“The museum offers visitors a unique opportunity to understand how the Earth looked millions of years ago and how it has evolved over time,” Dr. Kijaji said.
She noted that visitors can explore natural geological formations found within the Great Rift Valley, including a three-million-year-old rock preserved in the Ngorongoro-Lengai geological conservation area.
Beyond geology, the museum also showcases the rich cultural heritage of communities living around the conservation area, including the Hadzabe, Iraqw, Datoga and Maasai, giving tourists a broader understanding of Tanzania’s cultural diversity.
Interactive learning experiences available at the museum include wildlife sound identification, digital educational exhibitions and virtual cycling competitions against wild animals, making the facility attractive to both local and international visitors.
The museum is managed by the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority as part of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a globally renowned conservation site recognized by UNESCO under three separate international designations.
These include its classification as a Man and Biosphere Reserve in 1981, a Mixed Natural and Cultural World Heritage Site in 2010, and the Ngorongoro-Lengai UNESCO Global Geopark designation granted in 2018.
Dr. Kijaji said Tanzania became the second African nation to secure the prestigious geopark status after Morocco, highlighting the country’s expanding role in global conservation and sustainable tourism.
She added that Tanzania currently has 158 historical and archaeological heritage sites, seven of which have already been recognized as World Heritage Sites, as the government continues strengthening efforts to protect and preserve the nation’s natural and cultural heritage for future generations.
