Nasera Rock in Ngorongoro

Nasera is a unique rock formation in northern Tanzania, standing amidst the savannah. These isolated rocky hills are called Inselbergs, as they remain after the surrounding elevated lands have eroded. Perhaps the most famous example of this type of formation in the world is the oval-shaped Uluru rock in the center of Australia.

Nasera Rock is situated in the protected Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This site is also of interest because a Stone Age settlement has been discovered here. Additionally, the famous Olduvai Gorge, known as the "Cradle of Humanity," and the Laetoli site, where archaeologists found footprints of early human ancestors, are located nearby.

Where is Nasera Rock located?

Nasera Rock is located 27 km (17 miles) north of Olduvai Gorge in the middle of the Angata Kiti plains. Nearby is the Gol Mountain range, which does not exceed 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) in elevation. Nasera stands in the southwestern part of these mountains, which are part of Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Nasera Rock can be visited as part of a safari tour that includes the Ngorongoro Crater. For example, our five-day "Kongoni" safari package, which explores Tarangire, Ngorongoro, and Serengeti national parks, includes this location. It is an interesting destination for those fascinated by unique natural formations, archaeological sites, and birdwatching — many bird species nest in the trees surrounding the rock.

Wildlife around Nasera Rock includes baboons and klipspringer antelopes. During the rainy season, wildebeest, Thomson’s gazelles, and zebras migrate through the area, attracting lions and hyenas. Rock hyraxes and lizards can often be seen basking on the stones. However, large animal gatherings are uncommon, especially in the dry season from June to November.

What is Nasera Rock?

Nasera Rock is a 50-meter (165-foot) high granitic hill. It is part of the Gol Mountains, which rise above the Sale Plains, but it stands apart as an isolated formation. Its rocky surface is sparsely covered with grass and low shrubs, with only a few small trees managing to take root on one side of the hill.

Such formations are called inselbergs or monadnocks. These are hard rock masses left behind after softer surrounding material erodes away. Their steep slopes make them challenging to climb, which attracts adventurers looking for a natural ascent. However, Nasera Rock is relatively easy to climb, especially from its more gradual southeastern slope.

Similar rocky formations are common in savannas and deserts, such as the Sahara. In South Africa and Tanzania’s Serengeti, similar formations are called kopjes (pronounced kop-eez), where lions often rest, surveying their surroundings. Kopjes often consist of stacked boulders rather than a single rock mass. However, Nasera Rock is a solid mass of stone, making the term inselberg more accurate.

The name Nasera comes from the Maasai word "naasira," meaning striped, painted, or decorated. The Ngorongoro plains are still home to the Maasai, and many local place names originate from their language. The rock’s surface has natural striping, and the name may also refer to ancient rock paintings found in a prehistoric shelter once used by early primates.

The archaeological site at Nasera Rock

The first excavation at Nasera Rock was conducted in 1932 by the renowned archaeologist Louis Leakey. Later, in 1975–76, archaeologist Michael Mehlman led more detailed excavations, uncovering a vast collection of archaeological resources and artifacts. These findings provided insight into both the Middle and Late Stone Ages, as well as the transition between them.

Archaeologists found thousands of stone tools, spear and arrowheads, bone fragments, and pottery shards near the rock. The Nasera archaeological site is unique, as it is the only excavation site in East Africa covering a 50,000-year history, revealing changes in both human and animal populations over time.

Findings from Nasera Rock date back to 50,000–73,000 years ago, spanning the Middle Paleolithic to the Neolithic period. Among the most ancient stone artifacts are flint and obsidian spear and dart points. Although the rock paintings at Nasera are poorly preserved, traces of red ochre pigment can still be seen.

For better-preserved rock art, we recommend visiting the Kondoa rock-art sites in central Tanzania, particularly in Kolo, south of Lake Manyara and Tarangire National Parks.

What’s near Nasera Rock?

Several major historical and natural sites are located near Nasera Rock. Here are some of the most significant:

Olduvai Gorge

Olduvai Gorge is one of the world’s most famous and important archaeological sites. Scientists have found here stone tools and remains of ancient human ancestors, particularly fossilized bones of Homo habilis and Paranthropus boisei, dating back about 1.8 million years. These discoveries helped us understand how early humans lived, developed, learned to walk on two legs, and created increasingly sophisticated tools. This is why Olduvai is called the "Cradle of Humankind."

The Leakey family — Louis and Mary Leakey, along with their son Richard Leakey — played a key role in these discoveries, though other scientists have worked here too. Several restored buildings in Mary Leakey's field camp now serve as a museum where you can see how archaeologists lived in the field for over 30 years. The museum holds a collection of findings, including boxes of bones that have yet to be studied. Archaeologists still visit the site to research these ancient discoveries.

Shifting dune

A few kilometers from Olduvai Gorge lies an unusual moving dune. This sand formation, about 100 meters (330 feet) long and 5 meters (16 feet) high, slowly shifts westward at a steady pace. Its movement rate is approximately 100 meters (330 feet) every six years. Scientists have marked the dune's path with dated posts, which now form a visible line stretching into the distance, with markers placed 17 meters (56 feet) apart. The dune maintains its direction, never deviating from its course.

Interestingly, the dune retains its shape despite continuous movement. This is due to the composition of the sand, which originates from the Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano, located nearby. The sand contains magnetic particles, which help keep the dune intact even as the wind carries the grains westward. The dune can be climbed.

Olkarien Gorge

About 90 kilometers (56 miles) north of Olduvai Gorge lies Olkarien Gorge, a remarkably narrow canyon formed by the erosion of volcanic rock. Although the gorge is only 8 kilometers (5 miles) long, it is known for its stunning landscapes that leave a strong impression on visitors.

This area is home to the Maasai people, who traditionally use the surrounding plains for cattle grazing. The gorge itself has become a nesting site for large birds of prey, particularly vultures, which settle here between March and June.

Hiking through Olkarien Gorge is possible, making it a fascinating stop that adds variety to a northern Tanzania safari.

Laetoli

About 45 kilometers (28 miles) south of Olduvai Gorge, Laetoli is the site where Mary Leakey discovered fossilized footprints of early primates. These footprints, dating back 3.7 million years, belong to creatures that are considered the ancestors of modern humans, gorillas, and chimpanzees. At the time of their discovery, they were the oldest known evidence of bipedal locomotion (walking on two feet) in early hominins.

The footprints belong to two adults and a child and were preserved under extraordinary conditions. The region never had dense forests, so when a volcanic eruption covered the ground with ash, it hardened into a perfect surface for capturing footprints. The primates walked across the area, and later, new layers of volcanic ash covered and preserved their tracks, keeping them intact for millions of years.

Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Natron, and Serengeti

Not far from Nasera Rock and Olduvai Gorge are the craters of ancient collapsed volcanoes, which attract numerous visitors. These include Empakaai and Olmoti craters, but the most famous of all is Ngorongoro Crater. It is home to an incredible concentration of wildlife, making it one of the best places in Tanzania for observing animals in their natural habitat.

Nearby lies Lake Natron, the largest breeding ground in the world for lesser flamingos. The lake’s waters are highly alkaline, making them inhospitable to most animals but perfectly safe for flamingos.

Finally, Serengeti National Park is located near the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Serengeti is Tanzania’s most famous natural treasure and a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the Great Wildebeest Migration occurs. During the Great Migration, millions of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles cover large distances and navigate crocodile-infested rivers in pursuit of fresh pastures.

Both Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater are must-visit locations, worthy of spending several days exploring. They will likely be the main highlights of your trip. However, if you want to add more variety to your safari, consider including visits to Nasera Rock, Olduvai Gorge, and other fascinating sites in Tanzania that we have mentioned here.

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