7 World Heritage Sites of Tanzania
7 World Heritage Sites of Tanzania
Tanzania has every good reason to be on everyone’s bucket list. Many travelers go to Tanzania to do a safari, climb mountains, or relax on a white sandy beach. But as we know (and can tell), Tanzania is more than that. It has thriving destinations recognized by not only tourists but also credible institutions like the UNESCO – the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. In this article, we feature seven World Heritage Sites.
- Kondoa Rock Art Sites.
These are rock paintings between the Singida and Irangi mountains. Estimates put the number of decorated rock shelters and caves between 150 and 450. They are said to have been depicted thousands of years ago. And what do they feature? Display of hunting scenes, animals, and people.
Recognizing their cultural significance, UNESCO inscribed them in the list of World Heritage Sites in 2006, in the cultural category. This rock artwork tells us a lot about the hunter-gatherer tribes that lived in the Kondoa-Irangi village. Some societies still use them as spiritual places for worship and rainmaking.
- Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and Ruins of Songo Mnara.
These ruins are located on two islands, which were once thriving Swahili trading centers. These islands thrived from the 13th to the 16th century. Here, merchants traded commodities, such as gold, silver, and ivory, for Chinese porcelain, perfumes, and Persian earthenware. During their heyday, Kilwa Kisiwani and Songo Mnara had control over the Indian Ocean trade. The Portuguese invasion in the 16th century marked the decline of these trading ports.
UNESCO recognized the Kilwa Kisiwani and Songo Mnara in 1981. The ruins comprise large mosques, palaces, and other domestic buildings. Kilwa has a Great Mosque said to be constructed in the 11th century, and a great palace: Husuni Kubwa, a bathing pool, Husuni Ndogo, Gereza (prison), and countless mosques. Songo Mnara, on the other hand, has ruins of five mosques, a palace complex, and domestic dwelling houses. All these ruins display an ancient architectural design and how thriving ancient trade was.
- Stone Town of Zanzibar.
Located in Unguja, the largest island of the archipelago of Zanzibar, Stone Town is an ancient town that still breathes. The town features unique architectural designs from Arabs, Persians, Indians, and Europeans. It was used as an administrative unit, a residential unit, and as a trading port. Merchants from Indian, Oman, and Portugal exchanged spices, gold, and ivory.
UNESCO proclaimed this town as a World Heritage Site in the cultural category in 2000. Today, people go there to explore busy streets, markets, and astonishing buildings, such as the House of Wonders, Old Fort, and the old residence of Freddie Mercury. We recommend walking with a local guide to get the most out of your tour.
- Kilimanjaro National Park
Kilimanjaro earned UNESCO’s recognition as a World Heritage Site in 1987 as a natural landmark. The park’s main highlight is Mount Kilimanjaro, which stands freely in northern Tanzania. This volcanic mountain isn’t only credited in Africa but also in the world, as the world’s tallest freestanding mountain, and as one of the World’s Seven Summits.
Climbers from around the world come here to try their hiking skills or to start their Seven Summits challenge. Kilimanjaro is not a technically difficult climb. No ropes, no mountaineering skills, just stamina and exposure to high altitudes. There are seven well-established climbing routes uphill: Marangu, Machame, Lemosho, Umbwe, Shira, Rongai, and Northern Circuit.
- Nyerere National Park.
Nyerere (previously Selous Game Reserve) got its UNESCO recognition as a World Heritage Site in 1982. The main reason for this recognition is its rich wildlife and undisturbed ecosystem. Few places rival its scenic beauty, and that’s why it’s a top-rated spot for wildlife photography in Africa.
The park boasts a myriad of animal species, including elephants, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, and hippos. And while there’s a dwindling population of wild dogs in most parks in Northern Tanzania, Nyerere is credited with hosting large packs of these mottled, hunting dogs. The mighty Rufiji River, which runs through the park’s south, teems with large pods of hippos and flocks of crocodiles.
- Serengeti National Park.
The Serengeti earned a World Heritage Site status in 1981. And there are good reasons for that. The park’s rich wildlife exceeds expectations. Everyone who puts their foot on this land of expansive plains leaves with a different perspective. Enough with bragging! What made Serengeti get a spot in UNESCO’s Natural World Heritage Sites? Let’s explore.
The Great Migration is a number-one reason for that. This huge event happens in the giant Serengeti-Mara ecosystem as wildebeest and zebra herds move from the short-grass plains of southern Serengeti to the north. Another reason is its highest concentration of predators, from the big cats to hyenas, jackals, and wild dogs. And lastly, Serengeti is home to the Big Five.
- Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Adjacent to the Serengeti is an 8,292-sq-km conservation area. This was the first natural site in Tanzania to earn UNESCO’s World Heritage Site recognition in 1979. However, it was later upgraded from a natural to mixed category in 2010.
This conservation area is well recognized for its natural landscapes, including the Ngorongoro Crater, archaeological sites like the Olduvai Gorge, and the Maasai. You can go there to tick the Big Five animals, explore Maasai communities, or visit archaeological sites.
We can take you to any of these World Heritage Sites. Talk to our expert safari planners. Focus East Africa Tours values integrity and conservation. Your visit will be curated to prioritize conservation of these important sites.
