Culture & Heritage · Central Tanzania
Kondoa Rock-Art Sites
An extraordinary collection of prehistoric rock paintings, some estimated to span up to two millennia of continuous use, inscribed by UNESCO in 2006.
How to get there
By road from Dodoma or Arusha, in Tanzania's central highlands.
What to find
Painted rock shelters depicting humans, animals and abstract designs across dozens of sites.
Overview
The Kondoa Rock-Art Sites, in central Tanzania, include more than 150 painted shelters on the eastern slopes of the Masai Escarpment. They were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2006.
The paintings show people, animals and hunting scenes, made over a very long period by hunter-gatherer and later farming communities. Some sites are still used for rituals by local communities today.
Highlights
- Painted shelters around Kolo
- Images of people, animals and hunting scenes
- A living cultural landscape, still used for rituals
Things to do
Guided rock art walk
Visit several shelters with a local guide.
Best time to visit
June to October, when the paths are dry.
Getting there
By road from Arusha (about 5 to 6 hours) or Dodoma.
Where to stay
Simple accommodation near Kondoa. It's best planned as a special-interest trip.
See accommodation options in Tanzania →
Good to know
- Don't touch the paintings or wet them to 'bring out' the colours.
Permit prices, park rules and access can change. We always confirm the latest details when we plan your trip.