Wandering black sand
There is plenty of sand in Tanzania, especially on the country’s beaches and of course on Zanzibar. There it is mostly light-coloured or white and nothing special, as it is always expected there.
The situation is different in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. There’s sand here too, but it’s black, magnetic and it moves. Yes, you heard right. The sand moves forward of its own accord, at a speed of around 17 metres every year.
Highly magnetic volcanic ash
It is a remarkable, crescent-shaped black dune, also known as the Shifting Sands. It consists of highly magnetic volcanic ash and has its origin in the nearby volcanic mountain Oldoinyo Lengai. For centuries it has been moving slowly, as if by magic, westwards across the Ngorongoro Plain. If you couldn’t see it for yourself, you’d think it was a joke. But what you read here is true. It is actually one of the most spectacular shifting ash dunes in the world. It is about 9 metres high and stretches in its curves over a length of 100 metres. The dune, made of highly magnetic volcanic ash, is blown across the barren plain by the strong winds, creating grooves and patterns on its surface. The special thing about this dune is that it appears as a single, isolated dune. Such dunes are normally found in large dune formations.
The dune was formed thousands of years ago
Researchers say that the dune was formed over 3000 years ago when the still active volcano Oldoinyo Lengai erupted. Since then, the dune has moved, occasionally changing shape and even direction. Initially it moved south-west towards the river in the nearby Olduvai Gorge, worrying locals, before changing direction and moving westwards. Today it is located at least twelve kilometres northwest of the museum in the Olduvai Gorge and almost two kilometres from the shore of the gorge.
Experience the natural phenomenon up close
Visitors to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area can of course visit this unique natural phenomenon. It takes about 30 minutes by car from the museum. You will discover small concrete pillars engraved with dates that impressively document the great distance the sand has already travelled. The first pillar bears the date 1969, the year in which the scientists began recording and coding it. Eventually you reach this crescent-shaped construct. It is permitted to climb to the top of the dune to take photos or view the vast plains.
Singing character
What makes them particularly remarkable is not only their seemingly mysterious ability to change their position over time, but also their “singing” character. When the wind passes over the surface of the dunes, it produces a melodic sound that is often described as singing or humming. This phenomenon has given rise to numerous legends and myths among the indigenous Maasai, who also regard this dune as a sacred place.
Discover the Shifting Sands with Afromaxx
Afromaxx is happy to integrate an excursion to the Shifting Sands into your safari to give you the opportunity to experience this fascinating natural phenomenon up close. Our experienced team will accompany you on this journey of discovery and ensure that you can capture unforgettable moments at the top of the dune while enjoying the sweeping views across the plains.
The Shifting Sands are definitely a visual and auditory spectacle. At the same time, they also provide an opportunity to understand the unique geology and natural forces that have shaped this landscape. Observing the wandering dune and listening to its singing song are unforgettable experiences that deepen the deep understanding of the beauty and diversity of Tanzania’s nature.