Located 250km southwest of Arusha this UNESCO heritage site stands out for what it offers. The paintings are believed to be up to 6000 years old and have been drawn by different groups of people at different times with the oldest being done by the hunters and gatherers of the Sandawe tribe. The drawings were done as marks and it is believed that the humans of those times chose these caves for security reasons as well as a viewing point on where to go hunting in the valley. The caves play a significant role in the local lives up to this day as they are still used as worship sites.
After a lot of research, no one has really been able to uncover the technique or formula used to make the ink used in making these drawings, even though there are a few assumptions on how they managed to do it. You will be able to see the complexion in their thinking, human activities, and cultural practices that date back thousands of years.
There is a small museum at the head office which displays tools and body ornaments used by the people around the area from stone age times until the recent past.
A trip to these paintings can be done as a day trip or a few days’ activities as there are several sites you can visit if you have time.