By Our Correspondent, Karatu
The Vice President, Dr. Philip Mpango, has inaugurated the modern Ngorongoro–Lengai Geological Heritage Museum, a landmark project built with funding from the Government of the People’s Republic of China.
The project, located in Karatu District, Arusha Region, cost TSh 32 billion and was officially handed over to the government this week.
It forms part of the Ngorongoro–Lengai Geopark Development Project, designed to promote tourism infrastructure, geological heritage, and environmental conservation within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and its surrounding sites.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, Dr. Mpango noted that the Ngorongoro Conservation Area was recognised in 2018 as a UNESCO Global Geopark, the first in sub-Saharan Africa and only the second in the entire continent.
He said the new museum will significantly enhance Tanzania’s ability to attract visitors seeking to learn about the country’s rich geological and cultural heritage.
“The completion of this museum marks a milestone in Tanzania’s conservation and tourism development,” Dr. Mpango said. “It will serve as a centre of learning and discovery for both Tanzanians and international visitors, offering insights into the country’s ancient geological formations.”
He further emphasised that the effective management of the museum must go hand in hand with capacity-building for staff, improved infrastructure maintenance and community engagement.
Local residents living near the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, he said, should benefit from and actively participate in tourism-related activities.
Dr. Mpango also encouraged Tanzanians to embrace a culture of visiting domestic tourism attractions, describing them as “a national treasure and source of pride.”
In her remarks, China’s Ambassador to Tanzania, H.E. Chen Mingjian, said the project is the first of its kind in Africa under China’s Belt and Road Initiative, symbolising the deep and enduring partnership between China and Tanzania that dates back to 1964.
“This museum stands as a testament to our shared vision for cultural exchange, sustainable tourism, and the preservation of humanity’s natural heritage,” she said.
Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Ambassador Dr. Pindi Chana, highlighted that Ngorongoro’s recognition as a UNESCO Global Geopark has elevated Tanzania’s global tourism profile.
She added that the site has twice won the World Travel Awards as Africa’s leading tourist attraction in 2023 and 2025, underscoring its unique value to the continent’s tourism landscape.
Retired Chief of Defence Forces General Venance Mabeyo, now Chairperson of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA) Board, praised the Sixth-Phase Government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan for its continued investment in tourism infrastructure.
“The establishment of the Geological Heritage Museum is among the government’s most significant achievements in diversifying Tanzania’s tourism products,” General Mabeyo stated. “It demonstrates a strong commitment to innovation in conservation and sustainable tourism.” The new Ngorongoro–Lengai Geological Heritage Museum is expected to become a regional hub for research, education, and tourism, showcasing Tanzania’s volcanic landscapes, fossil records, and the evolution of human civilisation in one of the world’s most geologically and culturally significant areas.
