Conservation & the Maasai of Ngorongoro Crater

In 1951 it was estimated that some 12 000 Maasai lived in the Ngorongoro Crater.

In exchange for the tribes moving out of the crater, the Tanzanian government declared Ngorongoro a conservation area rather than a national park, allowing the Maasai to continue to graze and water their animals on the crater floor. The Maasai also receive a share of the profits from tourism.

Today some 40,000 Maasai are claiming rights over Ngorongoro and demanding a bigger piece of the action. The present day population growth of people, cattle and goats in the area is putting strain on the already limited grazing land and water sources.

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