Olduvai Gorge – The Shifting Sand Dunes
Located near Olduvai Gorge lies the spectacular, yet mysterious, ash dunes of Shifting Sands. Formed from volcanic ash, these crescent-shaped dunes are a rare phenomenon, and are technically referred to as barkan. These dunes are formed when there’s ample dust on the ground and a unidirectional wind to create the moving effect. The volcanic ash (or dust) collects around a rock, and continually gathers until it forms what appears to be a small sand dune. This process is continuous, and as it progresses the unidirectional wind causes the dune to move. In the case of these Shifting Sands, they tend to move around 10 meters a year.
The local Maasai tribe believe that the sand dunes originated from Ol Doinyo Lengai (Mountain of God), the holiest place in their culture. You can see Ol Doinyo Lengai from Olduvai on an unclouded day.
In addition to not being like other sand dunes in appearance, as the dunes are made up of fine black sand, the sand is also extremely magnetic due to its high levels of iron. If you grab a handful of sand and toss it up in the air, rather than blowing away, the substance will clump together and fall back on to the dune.
When you’re looking for the dunes, be prepared to go off-road, as they’re always moving. While these dunes may be slightly difficult to find, they’re certainly worth the detour.
UnusualPlaces Field Notes
- Location
- Shifting Sands (mobile volcanic-ash dune), north of Oldupai Gorge, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania
- Coordinates
- -2.94551, 35.31692
- Access
- Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority states that Oldupai Gorge visitors must be accompanied by a licensed guide; its special archaeological tours include Shifting Sands. The dune moves, so this map marker is an area reference and its exact position can change.
- Admission
- No standalone Shifting Sands ticket price was found. Access is within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and is subject to its entry permit and current applicable fees; confirm current rates with the Authority or tour operator before travel.
- Time needed
- No official duration is published for Shifting Sands. Expert Africa and Nomadays visitor guides say to allow up to about 1 hour at the dune; this is a secondary estimate, not an NCAA timetable. The roughly 30-minute 4x4 transfer from Oldupai Gorge is separate. Ask the operator for total itinerary time.
- Best season
- Dry conditions are preferable for the rough 4x4 approach; Atlas Obscura warns that trails may become impassable after rain. NCAA says Oldupai can be visited year-round, but this does not guarantee the special Shifting Sands excursion runs on every date.
- Opening hours
- NCAA’s posted rule says NCA gates/barriers open at 06:00 and close at 18:00. This is the conservation-area gate schedule, not a separate Shifting Sands timetable; the dune visit requires a licensed guide and special archaeological tour availability. Confirm with the Authority or operator before travel.
- Location checked
- 2026-10-28
- Facts checked
- 2026-10-28
Map marks the area, not a visitor entrance.
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Could they be moving due to a magnetic force within our solar system, near our sun?? Please anybody who might have a theory on what’s moving it or what’s up above email me. Thank you and God bless. C