Kondoa Rock-Art Sites
Location: Central Tanzania
Year of Inscription: 2006
Criteria: (iii) to bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared; (vi) to be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance.
Overview: The Kondoa Rock-Art Sites are a series of cave paintings and rock art sites located in the Kondoa district of Tanzania. The rock art is believed to have been created by early hunter-gatherer societies over a period of several thousand years, and provides a unique and exceptional testimony to the cultural traditions and civilizations of these groups.
Prominent Features: The Kondoa Rock-Art Sites consist of over 150 different sites containing thousands of individual rock paintings and engravings. The rock art depicts a variety of subjects, including animals, humans, and abstract symbols and shapes. The paintings are believed to have been created using natural pigments, such as red and yellow ochre, mixed with animal fats or plant oils.
History: The Kondoa Rock-Art Sites are believed to have been created by early hunter-gatherer societies over a period of several thousand years, beginning as early as 25,000 years ago. The paintings provide a unique and exceptional testimony to the cultural traditions and civilizations of these groups, and are an important part of Tanzania's cultural heritage.
Fun Fact: The Kondoa Rock-Art Sites were first discovered by European explorers in the late 19th century, but were not extensively studied until the 1950s and 1960s.
Family-Friendly Activities: Families can take guided tours of the Kondoa Rock-Art Sites to learn about the history and significance of the rock art. Visitors can also explore the surrounding landscape, which includes several important archaeological sites, as well as traditional villages and markets.
Entry Fees: The entry fee for the Kondoa Rock-Art Sites is 10,000 Tanzanian shillings (approximately 4 USD) per person.
How to Reach It: The Kondoa Rock-Art Sites are located in the Kondoa district of Tanzania, approximately 280 kilometers southwest of Arusha. The site can be reached by car or bus from Arusha or Dodoma.
From Dodoma, you can take a public bus or shared taxi to Kondoa town, which is the closest town to the rock-art sites. The journey takes around 3-4 hours depending on the mode of transport and traffic. From Kondoa town, you can hire a local guide to take you to the rock-art sites. Alternatively, you can take a shared taxi to the sites, although this option may not be available during certain times of the day.
From Arusha, you can take a public bus or shared taxi to Kondoa town as well. The journey takes around 6-7 hours depending on the mode of transport and traffic. As with Dodoma, from Kondoa town, you can hire a local guide to take you to the rock-art sites or take a shared taxi if available.
Where to Stay: There are several guesthouses and lodges located in the nearby town of Kondoa, including the Kondoa Irangi Rock Paintings Lodge and the Kolo Rock Lodge. Alternatively, visitors can stay in nearby towns such as Dodoma or Singida, which offer a wider range of accommodation options.
Next Stop: Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Year of Inscription: 2006
Criteria: (iii) to bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared; (vi) to be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance.
Overview: The Kondoa Rock-Art Sites are a series of cave paintings and rock art sites located in the Kondoa district of Tanzania. The rock art is believed to have been created by early hunter-gatherer societies over a period of several thousand years, and provides a unique and exceptional testimony to the cultural traditions and civilizations of these groups.
Prominent Features: The Kondoa Rock-Art Sites consist of over 150 different sites containing thousands of individual rock paintings and engravings. The rock art depicts a variety of subjects, including animals, humans, and abstract symbols and shapes. The paintings are believed to have been created using natural pigments, such as red and yellow ochre, mixed with animal fats or plant oils.
History: The Kondoa Rock-Art Sites are believed to have been created by early hunter-gatherer societies over a period of several thousand years, beginning as early as 25,000 years ago. The paintings provide a unique and exceptional testimony to the cultural traditions and civilizations of these groups, and are an important part of Tanzania's cultural heritage.
Fun Fact: The Kondoa Rock-Art Sites were first discovered by European explorers in the late 19th century, but were not extensively studied until the 1950s and 1960s.
Family-Friendly Activities: Families can take guided tours of the Kondoa Rock-Art Sites to learn about the history and significance of the rock art. Visitors can also explore the surrounding landscape, which includes several important archaeological sites, as well as traditional villages and markets.
Entry Fees: The entry fee for the Kondoa Rock-Art Sites is 10,000 Tanzanian shillings (approximately 4 USD) per person.
How to Reach It: The Kondoa Rock-Art Sites are located in the Kondoa district of Tanzania, approximately 280 kilometers southwest of Arusha. The site can be reached by car or bus from Arusha or Dodoma.
From Dodoma, you can take a public bus or shared taxi to Kondoa town, which is the closest town to the rock-art sites. The journey takes around 3-4 hours depending on the mode of transport and traffic. From Kondoa town, you can hire a local guide to take you to the rock-art sites. Alternatively, you can take a shared taxi to the sites, although this option may not be available during certain times of the day.
From Arusha, you can take a public bus or shared taxi to Kondoa town as well. The journey takes around 6-7 hours depending on the mode of transport and traffic. As with Dodoma, from Kondoa town, you can hire a local guide to take you to the rock-art sites or take a shared taxi if available.
Where to Stay: There are several guesthouses and lodges located in the nearby town of Kondoa, including the Kondoa Irangi Rock Paintings Lodge and the Kolo Rock Lodge. Alternatively, visitors can stay in nearby towns such as Dodoma or Singida, which offer a wider range of accommodation options.
Next Stop: Ngorongoro Conservation Area