National park
Rock art · UNESCO World Heritage Site
Kondoa Rock-Art Sites
Ancient paintings on the rock shelters of the Masai escarpment.
- Central Tanzania
- Best: Jun–Oct
- World Heritage Site (2006)
Overview
- UNESCO
- World Heritage Site (2006)
- Rock shelters
- More than 150
- Main access
- Kolo village, north of Kondoa town
On the eastern slopes of the Masai escarpment, more than 150 rock shelters hold paintings of people, animals and hunting scenes made over at least two millennia. UNESCO listed the area in 2006.
Some sites are still used by local communities for rituals, linking the paintings to living traditions.
The most visited shelters are near Kolo village, where the Antiquities Division keeps a small office and guides.
- Kolo shelters
The best-known painted rock shelters.
- Living heritage
Sites still used in local ceremonies.
- Escarpment views
Walks across the Masai escarpment.
Things to do
- Guided rock-art walk
With guides from the Kolo office.
When to go
Dry season, June to October, when the access roads are easiest.
- Jan: Good
- Feb: Good
- Mar: Wetter
- Apr: Wetter
- May: Good
- Jun: Best
- Jul: Best
- Aug: Best
- Sep: Best
- Oct: Best
- Nov: Good
- Dec: Good
Costs
Entry and guide fees are paid at the Antiquities Division office in Kolo. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism does not publish the rate online.
Getting there
- By roadFrom ArushaAbout 4–5 hours
South via Babati to Kolo.
- By roadFrom DodomaAbout 3 hours
North via Kondoa town.
Open larger map Directions Marker shows an approximate location.
Photos
Know before you go
- Do not touch or wet the paintings.
- Some shelters are a steep walk from the road; wear sturdy shoes.
- Foreign visitors must buy Tanzania's US$44 inbound travel insurance (92 days) before arrival: from NIC for the mainland or ZIC for Zanzibar. One policy covers both; residents of EAC and SADC countries are exempt.
Frequently asked questions
How old are the Kondoa rock paintings?
They were made over a long period, at least two thousand years, by hunter-gatherers and later by herding communities.
Can I visit Kondoa on the way to the northern parks?
Yes. It is about four to five hours from Arusha and fits between Tarangire and Dodoma.
Sources
Checked on 23 October 2026. Fees and rules change; confirm with the authority or your operator before you pay.
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Places to pair with Kondoa Rock-Art Sites
National park