Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Regardless of how you do the trip, carry plenty of water since there's none to be found
during the climb.
Katesh is also known for its large mnada held on the 9th, 10th and 28th of each month.
Maasai, Barabaig, Iraqw and other peoples from a wide surrounding area converge to buy
and sell cattle and trade their wares.
SLEEPING
Summit Hotel GUESTHOUSE $
( 0787-242424; r Tsh15,000-20,000; ) This bright green place up the hill just east of
the municipality office is Katesh's best lodging, and the most convenient for climbing Mt
Hanang.
Colt Guesthouse GUESTHOUSE $
( 027-253 0030; s/d without bathroom Tsh4000/6000, s Tsh10,000; ) This older place
northwest of the bus stand by the market is simple but clean and provides hot-water buck-
ets on request.
GETTING THERE & AWAY
Buses between Singida (Tsh5000, 1½ hours) and Babati (Tsh5000, 2½ hours), which in-
cludes all Arusha-Mwanza buses, pass through Katesh all morning. After lunch, you'll
probably need to hitch.
Kondoa Rock-Art Sites
The district of Kondoa, especially around the tiny village of Kolo, lies at the centre of one
of the most impressive collections of ancient rock art on the African continent; and one of
the most overlooked attractions in Tanzania. If you can tolerate a bit of rugged travel, this
is an intriguing and worthwhile detour.
Although several archaeologists, most prominently Mary Leakey, have studied these
sites, the history of most remains shrouded in mystery, with little known about either their
artists or even their age. Some experts maintain that the oldest paintings date back around
6000 years and were made by the Sandawe, who are distantly related linguistically to South
Africa's San, a group also renowned for its rock art. Others are definitely more recent and
were done from 800 up until probably 200 years ago by Bantu-speaking peoples who mi-
grated into this area. Some sites are still used by rainmakers and medicine men.
The paintings contain stylised depictions of humans, sometimes hunting, dancing and
playing musical instruments, as well as various animals, notably giraffes and antelopes.
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