The African country of Tanzania is known for its safaris and Mount Kilimanjaro, which is also called the roof of Africa. But country in the east of Africa has more to offer. Tanzania is home to seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You can find out which ones they are and more information about them here!
Ngorongoro Protected Area
In 1979, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In this area wild animals and Maasai herdsmen live together. The landscape is composed of different vegetation zones (highland plains, savannahs and forests). Also, the Ngorongoro crater is located in the area. The crater was formed when a volcanic mountain collapsed. In the area you will find the highest density of predators in Africa and of course the "Big Five".
In 2010, the protected area also became a World Heritage Site because Olduvai Gorge is an important archaeological site. Remains of the earliest human forms were found in the gorge.
Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and of Songo Mnara
The ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and of Songo Mnara are located on two islands just off the coast of the African country. Kilwa Kisiwani and Songo Mnara were once two large port cities. The prosperity of the two cities reached its peak between the 13th and 16th centuries. This was based on the control of trade in the Indian Ocean with India, Arabia and China. Both sites were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1981.
The ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani cover almost the entire island and many parts have not yet been excavated. The remains are made of coral and lime mortar. The ruins include the Great Mosque, which is completely covered with dome and vaults, the Husuni Kubwa Palace with the large octagonal bathing pool and numerous mosques.
The remains (five mosques, a palace complex and dwellings) of Songo Mnara are found on the northern side of the island. The ruins are impressive with buildings made of coral stone and wood. These are not as well preserved as those on Kilwa Kisiwani.
Serengeti National Park
The Serengeti National Park is the oldest and the largest national park (with a size of about 1.5 million hectares) in Tanzania. The park is known for its rich wildlife and the annual migration of huge herds of ungulates (zebras, wildebeests and gazelles). The migration is the largest remaining and unchanged animal migration in the world and is an impressive natural spectacle. But the different landscape zones do not detract from the beauty of the park. Depending on which part you are in, you will find, for example, bush and tree savannahs or grass savannahs. In 1981, the national park became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Selous Game Reserve
With 50,000 square kilometers, the Selous Game Reserve is one of the largest protected areas in Africa and is also hardly touched by human influences. The reserve has a wide variety of habitats, for example you will find grasslands, miombo woodlands and swamps. The habitats are home to a great abundance of different animal species. For one, you can see giraffes, crocodiles, black rhinos and the largest elephant population in Tanzania. Since 1982, the reserve is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and unfortunately since 2014 it is also on the Red List. This happened due to organized poaching and the planned dam.
Kilimanjaro National Park
The national park around the highest mountain in Africa covers an area of approximately 75,000 hectares and has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1987. Kilimanjaro has five vegetation zones from the lowest to the highest point: the snow-capped peaks, mountain forests, lower slopes, alpine desert, heath and moorland. The wildlife in the national park is very rich in species, even many endangered animals find a home here.
Stone city of Zanzibar
The Stone City of Zanzibar has many beautiful buildings that reflect its special culture. This is because different elements of the cultures of Africa, India, Europe and the Arab region are found here. The elements form a unique cultural entity for this area. The buildings are mainly made of coral stone and mangrove wood. For example, the most important buildings in the city are Beit-el-Ajaib (Palace of Miracles), Beit-el-Sahel (Palace of the Sultan) and the Anglican Church. In 2000, the city was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Sites of rock art in Kondoa
The sites of rock art in Kondoa is to date the last UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tanzania and was included in 2006. An exact number of rock paintings in the Kondoa area is still unknown, but it is estimated that there are between 150 and 450 decorated rock shelters, caves and overhanging cliffs. The paintings depict the cultures of hunter-gatherer and pastoralist communities that lived in the area thousands of years ago.
You can't wait to pack your bags and travel to Tanzania? Then come with us on a unique adventure. On our Tanzania trip you climb the roof of Africa and can marvel at the "Big Five" with your own eyes. And you will also explore three of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites!
If you want to learn even more about Tanzania or other countries, browse through our Magazine around a bit and get inspired for your next trip.
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