Major city · Tanzania
Kondoa
Spend 1 night in Kondoa to see the UNESCO rock‑art sites; add a half‑day drive north to Kolo village (≈20 km (12 mi), 30 min).Spend 1 night in Kondoa to see the UNESCO rock‑art sites; add a half‑day drive north to Kolo village (≈12 mi (20 km), 30 min).
Kondoa is a small administrative town in central Tanzania, best known as the gateway to the Kondoa Rock Art Sites – a UNESCO World Heritage landscape of prehistoric paintings. The town itself offers basic accommodation and a few eateries; the main attraction lies in the surrounding hills, reachable by a short road trip. One night is enough to rest and explore the rock‑art circuit.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- TZS
- Best months
- Jun–Oct
- avoid Nov–May (rainy season, road disruptions)
- Airport
- DOD
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 9Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a mult…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- East Africa ↗Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a multi-country trip: Uganda and Burundi check it for all arrivals, and a stop in Kenya or Ethiopia makes the next border ask for it.
- East Africa ↗Advice for Ethiopia, Somaliland, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan and the Congo border areas can change within days; read your government's page the week you fly and before every regional flight.
- East Africa ↗Price park, reserve and permit fees before comparing lodges: they are charged per person per day, often with VAT, and are fixed whatever bed you choose.
- Tanzania ↗Apply for the Tanzania e-visa only on the official immigration portal; Zanzibar and, from 1 October 2026, mainland Tanzania each require their own US$44 inbound insurance bought from the state insurer's site.
- Tanzania ↗Carry a yellow fever certificate if you arrive from or connect through a risk country such as Kenya or Ethiopia; see a travel clinic about malaria several weeks ahead.
- Tanzania ↗Plastic carrier bags are banned; leave shop and duty-free plastic bags behind before you arrive.
- Tanzania ↗Light aircraft between parks and to Zanzibar have strict baggage limits, usually soft-sided bags only and a low total weight (often around 15 kg); confirm the limit with your operator.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Kondoa112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Kondoa, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Tanzanian shilling (TZS).Tanzania-wide
- SIM or eSIMVodacom, Airtel, Yas (Tigo) and Halotel sell SIMs at airports; registration takes fingerprints and a passport.Tanzania-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; lodges provide filtered water.Tanzania-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10% where no service charge.Tanzania-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets D/G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Tanzania-wide
- SafetyKondoa is generally safe for day visitors; main risks are road conditions in rain and limited health services.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern in hotels and lodges; long-drops at some gates and picnic sites; squat toilets at bus stops.Tanzania-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police, fire, ambulance · 114 fire only (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysGovernment offices close public holidays; on Zanzibar many local restaurants close by day in Ramadan.Tanzania-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportDOD Dodoma Airport (Domestic flights; bus to Kondoa ≈4 h).
- Getting aroundTown centre is walkable; taxis and minibuses serve short trips.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (café)TZS 2,000–3,000
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km))TZS 5,000–7,000
- Budget bedKolo homestay (double), a night, per roomTZS 20,000
- Mid-range bedHotel room (double), a night, per roomTZS 50,000
- High-end bedHotel room (double), a night, per roomTZS 80,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget TZS 25,000 · Mid TZS 40,000 · High TZS 60,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- DOD Dodoma Airport (Domestic flights; bus to Kondoa ≈4 h)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Mar
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Apr
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
May
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jun
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Aug
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Sep
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Nov
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Dec
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Jun–Oct. Avoid: Nov–May. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C) low), wettest Jul (15 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Kondoa: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
2 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
2 rd
Mar
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
3 rd
Apr
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5 rd
May
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
12 rd
Jul
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
15 rd
Aug
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
15 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
12 rd
Oct
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8 rd
Nov
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
3 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Town centre is walkable; taxis and minibuses serve short trips. Hire a 4×4 with a local guide for rock‑art sites beyond the town, especially during the rainy season.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Kolo village (rock‑art sites)
goDoor to door: ≈1 h total (including guide walk)
Hire a 4×4 or taxi from Kondoa, about 20 km (12 mi) north, 30 min driveHire a 4×4 or taxi from Kondoa, about 12 mi (20 km) north, 30 min drive
Three main sites are easy to visit; a guide helps interpret the paintings.
Irangi Rock Paintings
cautionDoor to door: ≈1.5 h
Same 4×4 hire, further 15 km (9.3 mi) east, 40 min total driveSame 4×4 hire, further 9.3 mi (15 km) east, 40 min total drive
Access via rough tracks; best in dry months.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Kondoa Resort
Standard hotel, central town, basic rooms
Climax Hotel
Mid‑range hotel, near market
Kolo homestay
Traditional house in Kolo village, 20 km (12 mi) northTraditional house in Kolo village, 12 mi (20 km) north
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- TZS 25,000–40,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- TZS 40,000–60,000 excl. bed
- High
- TZS 60,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel room (double)1 × 1 night × TZS 50,000 | TZS 50,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × TZS 40,000 | TZS 80,000 |
| Bus Dodoma → Kondoa (round‑trip)2 × TZS 15,000 · check | TZS 30,000 |
| 4×4 hire with guide for rock‑art sites (full day)1 × TZS 80,000 · check | TZS 80,000 |
| eSIM data (7 days)2 × TZS 20,000 · check | TZS 40,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | TZS 28,000 |
| Trip total≈ TZS 154,000 per person per day, bed included | TZS 308,000 |
2026 estimate in TZS; flights and long‑distance transport excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (café) | TZS 2,000–3,000 |
| Local meal (rice, beans, meat) | TZS 5,000–8,000 |
| Taxi (5 km) | TZS 5,000–7,000 |
| Bottle of water (500 ml) | TZS 500–800 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Roads to remote rock‑art sites can become muddy in the rainy season – check conditions before travel.
- Limited medical facilities in town; carry basic supplies.
- English is spoken in some hotels and offices, but Swahili is dominant.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 112
- Fire only
- 114
Pocket card
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KondoaKondoa
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Tafadhali nenda hapaTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance112
Embassy
US consulate is in Dar es Salaam; nearest Tanzanian embassy for other nationals is in Dodoma.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Dodoma → Kondoa bus: about TZS 15,000 one way, 4 h (check)
- Taxi within Kondoa (5 km): TZS 5,000–7,000
Say or show
- Jambo — Hello (jambo)
- Bei gani? — How much? (bei gani?)
- Sehemu ya michoro iko wapi? — Where is the rock‑art site? (sehemu ya michoro iko wapi?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Kondoa. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Oct · avoid Nov–May (rainy season, road disruptions) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a guided half‑day tour to Kolo rock‑art sites from Kondoa.
- Include a night at Kolo homestay for sunrise painting view.
Sources
- secondaryWikidata – Kondoa
- secondaryWikivoyage: Kondoa, revision 5337071 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Kondoa
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