Serengeti National Park
The park with the greatest concentration of plains game left on Earth and the stage for the Great Migration.
Tanzania Historical Sites
UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Tanzania
From the Serengeti's plains and the Ngorongoro Crater to the ruins of Kilwa and the alleys of Stone Town, Tanzania's seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites span nature, culture and the story of humankind.
- Number of sites
- Seven
- Natural sites
- Serengeti, Kilimanjaro, Selous
- Cultural sites
- Kilwa, Stone Town, Kondoa
- Mixed site
- Ngorongoro
Discover Tanzania's World Heritage
A nation of world treasures.
Tanzania is home to unique attractions that make it one of the best travel destinations in Africa: the largest intact volcanic caldera at Ngorongoro, Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest free-standing volcanic mountain in the world, the Serengeti with the most plains game left on Earth, and Olduvai Gorge, the cradle of mankind.
With the Spice Island of Zanzibar and seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Tanzania is among the world's leaders in cultural tourism. The legacy of ancient Swahili civilisations, such as the Kilwa ruins, adds depth to any journey.
Why visit the World Heritage Sites
Nature, culture and history of global importance.
Tanzania's World Heritage Sites cover some of the most important places on Earth for wildlife, landscapes and human history.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
A mixed natural and cultural site with the world's largest intact caldera and Olduvai Gorge.
Kilimanjaro National Park
Africa's highest mountain and the world's tallest free-standing volcanic peak.
Kilwa & Stone Town
Swahili trading cities that shaped the history of the East African coast.
Location
Where are Tanzania's UNESCO sites?
Tanzania's seven World Heritage Sites are the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Kilimanjaro National Park, the Selous Game Reserve, the ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and Songo Mnara, the Stone Town of Zanzibar and the Kondoa Rock Art Sites.
Most are easy to include in a northern circuit safari or a Zanzibar holiday, while Kilwa, Kondoa and the Selous reward travellers who venture further.
When to visit
When to visit the World Heritage Sites.
Each site has its own best season, but most can be visited year-round.
Dry Season
Dry, pleasant weather and the most popular time to travel in northern Tanzania.
Short Rains
Short afternoon showers and green scenery.
Warm & Dry
Warm days and clear skies, a great time to visit.
Long Rains
The wettest months; museums and indoor sites are a good choice on rainy days.
Month by month.
Plan your visits around the seasons of each region.
Warm and clear, a great month to visit.
Warm and dry before the long rains.
Long rains begin; plan indoor visits around showers.
The wettest month, but indoor sites remain open.
Rains ease towards the end of the month.
Dry season begins, with cool mornings.
Cool and dry, ideal for sightseeing.
Dry and clear, a popular travel month.
Pleasant and dry, excellent for exploring.
Warm and dry before the short rains.
Short rains bring brief showers.
Warm, green and festive.
Explore the area
Tanzania's seven World Heritage Sites.
Natural, cultural and mixed sites across the country.
Northern TanzaniaSerengeti National ParkInscribed in 1981 for its vast plains and the Great Migration.
Northern TanzaniaNgorongoro Conservation AreaInscribed in 1979, and as a mixed site in 2010, for its crater, wildlife and human history.
Northern TanzaniaKilimanjaro National ParkInscribed in 1987 for Africa's highest mountain.
Southern TanzaniaSelous Game ReserveInscribed in 1982 as one of the largest protected areas in Africa.
Southern coastKilwa Kisiwani & Songo MnaraInscribed in 1981 as ruins of great Swahili trading ports.
ZanzibarStone Town of ZanzibarInscribed in 2000 for its Swahili architecture and culture.
Central TanzaniaKondoa Rock Art SitesInscribed in 2006 for rock paintings spanning thousands of years.
A World Heritage Journey
Combine nature and culture.
A journey through Tanzania's World Heritage Sites can combine the Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Kilimanjaro with the cultural treasures of Stone Town, Kilwa and Kondoa.
Our team can design an itinerary that links wildlife safaris with history, culture and beach time.
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The story behind Tanzania's heritage.
Tanzania's World Heritage Sites tell the story of the planet and of humankind, from the volcanic forces that created Ngorongoro and Kilimanjaro to the early hominins of Olduvai and the Swahili civilisation of the coast.
Protecting these places is a national priority, and visiting them supports conservation and local communities across the country.
How many UNESCO sites does Tanzania have?
Seven: Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Kilimanjaro, Selous, Kilwa Kisiwani and Songo Mnara, Stone Town and the Kondoa Rock Art Sites.
Which sites can I visit on a safari?
The Serengeti and Ngorongoro are on the northern circuit, and Kilimanjaro is nearby.
Can I combine them with Zanzibar?
Yes. Stone Town is easily combined with a safari and beach holiday.
Which sites are less visited?
Kilwa Kisiwani, Songo Mnara and the Kondoa Rock Art Sites.
Is Olduvai Gorge a World Heritage Site?
It lies within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which is inscribed as a World Heritage Site.
Can you plan a heritage itinerary?
Yes, we can combine any of the sites into a tailor-made journey.
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