The Kondoa Rock Paintings in Kolo are an extraordinary historical site, located 260 kilometers south of Arusha, a 4-hour drive on the Great North Road, and approximately 20 kilometers from Kondoa District. This World Heritage site is renowned for its remarkable rock art, featuring ancient human figures and animals such as elephants, giraffes, and elands, often depicted in dark red hues.
The rock paintings at Kolo are believed to date back between 5,000 to 10,000 years, attributed to the hunter-gatherer Bushmen, ancestors of the Sandawe tribe who currently inhabit the western part of Kondoa District. The Sandawe and the Hadzabe tribes of Lake Eyasi speak languages with click consonants, linking them to the Khoisan languages spoken in Southern Africa’s Kalahari Desert. These similar rock art motifs can also be found in parts of southern Africa, linking the regions’ prehistoric cultures.
In addition to these ancient works, more recent paintings, likely created around 500 years ago, feature lighter colors and are attributed to the Bantu-speaking Warangi tribe, the main agricultural group in Kondoa.
The Kolo Rock Paintings are located along the Maasai Escarpment, bordering the Great Rift Valley, and are a short 160-kilometer drive from Tarangire National Park. A day trip to the site is possible from Tarangire, with a 2 to 3-hour tour of the paintings, complemented by a picnic lunch and stunning views of the surrounding Pahi Mountains. For those eager to dive deeper into this intriguing site, basic accommodations are available in Kondoa town.
As a protected area and one of Tanzania’s UNESCO World Heritage sites, the Kolo Rock Paintings stand as a testament to the ancient cultural practices of Africa. These captivating and historic paintings make for an unforgettable experience for anyone visiting northern Tanzania’s safari circuit.