The Ngorongoro-Lengai Geopark is home to multiple ethnic groups; the Maasai being the most prominent, having migrated south-east from the Nile area in the 18th century. Also present are the Datoga, Irawq and Hadzabe Tribes.   The Maasai and Datoga are pastoralists, whereas the Irawq are agriculturalists. The Hadzabe, on the other hand, are an indigenous ethnic group who are regarded as hunters-gatherers and are not closely related to any other ethnic group in the area.

These communities’ diverse cultures and cultural heritage are   in   part   a   reflection   of differences in local plant and animal ecologies, which, in turn, are influenced largely by differences in local geology and weather. The Geopark, in this regard, provides a unique window into the complex interplay of geology, weather, plant life, animal life, and human cultural development.

The Geopark is also well-versed in local heritage and traditional knowledge. Each tribe has its own distinct way of life, which together produce a diverse range of traditional rituals, traditions, tales, songs, and dances.

The North, South, Caldera, and Oldoinyo Lengai Routes are the four “exploration” routes that traverse the Geopark and neighboring areas. Each of these routes requires a full day to complete and has its own unique geological, cultural, and biological features.

Visitors to the Geopark must be accompanied by a certified guide provided by the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority.

Professional local guides who can provide further insight and information at specific areas will occasionally join in. Along each route, there are numbered concrete monuments that mark pauses and interpretive panels.