The Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) continues to attract prominent global visitors, and today, the Mayor of Dallas, Texas, Hon. Eric Johnson, experienced its unique and world-renowned natural wonders for the very first time.
"This is my first visit to Africa, and certainly my first to Ngorongoro, and I am truly awstruck by the beauty of this place, from its diverse wildlife to its breathtaking landscapes," said Mayor Johnson. "I’ve dreamed of coming here my entire life, but the reality surpasses anything I imagined. I would absolutely love to come back. I want my children to experience this place. It's truly the eighth wonder of the world."
Accompanied by Tanzania’s Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Elsie Kanza, Mayor Johnson was warmly received by the Conservation Commissioner of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA), Mr. Abdul-Razaq Badru, who introduced him to the area's vast ecological and cultural wealth.
During the visit, Mr. Badru explained that Ngorongoro is home to an exceptional array of attractions, including the iconic Ngorongoro Crater, Africa’s “Big Five,” the Olduvai Gorge, famous for groundbreaking archaeological discoveries, the Ndutu plains known for wildebeest calving, the shifting sands, and the 3.7-million-year-old Laetoli footprints, among many other natural and historical marvels.
“Ngorongoro is not just a tourist destination; it’s a living classroom,” said Mr. Badru.
“This is one of the few places on earth where black rhinos still roam freely in their natural habitat, and we are committed to ensuring their survival for generations to come.”
Senior Assistant Conservation Commissioner for Tourism and Marketing, Ms. Mariam Kobelo, also shared insights into Ngorongoro’s global status, noting that the area holds three prestigious UNESCO recognitions: it is a Biosphere Reserve, a Mixed World Heritage Site (celebrating both its natural and cultural significance), and a designated Global Geopark under the Ngorongoro Lengai UNESCO Global Geopark initiative.
