Igeleke Paitings : If you are looking for thrilling destinations to spend your holiday, Tanzania may be your best choice. This is not because her richer wildlife found in spectacular parks but also extraordinary adventurous cultural and historical destinations like the absolute Rock Art/painting sites, the World Heritage Site, Historical sites rich evidences to reveal the Africa’s past History, Cultural destinations like the charming Maasai villages where you will learn more these world-famous communities, a variety of national parks and game reserves, best mountain hiking destinations, sacred places like the “daraja la Mungu” (God’s bridge) at Mbeya just to mention a few of them. You can take a chartered flight to the Southern Circuit and witness the wonderful unexplored vision of Igeleke Rock Art, yes along with splendid attractions like Udzungwa Mountains National Park.
Igeleke Painting is a large prehistoric rock painting, with the same style to the Kondoa rock paintings. It is strategically located just on the edge of a town, just west of the Dodoma road. Igeleke painting has recently been among the leading history sites when it comes to the number of tourists attracted, and of course the annual income generated
What to do at Igeleke
The main purpose of going to this magical painting is staring at artistic designed drawing by artists of the Iron Age depicting human figures, an elephant, jumping eland and giraffe hiding in long grass. This will be associated with you getting the clear facts and history behind the paintings. There are several questions which has caught the attention of many explorers around the globe. These are questions like why there are usually pictures of animals drawn on curves, and you will never encounter other pictures like of human being for instance, or any non-living organisms. Several myths have been developed, and among the myth which makes a better sense is the one which describes these paintings as way to depict hunting powers of the given society, or drawn on the course of some rituals and ceremonies regarding hunting. This helps to explain better why the most common pictures are usually for large animals who are a good meal for human being (as it seen on the paintings of Igeleke which consists of animals like elephants). All these can only be found at sites like Igeleke. A tour to Igeleke painting can be done in few hours on your stay in Dodoma or Iringa. Alongside the knowledge, you will also enjoy the precious artistic pictures on a cheap price because a guide can be arranged on-site (about ten thousand shillings per group, which is equivalent to just five US dollars at most). Arrangements can also be made in advance with Iringa-based tour operators, who will help organize the conducive photo taking environment that you will enjoy, Igeleke Paitings
How to reach at Igeleke Rock Art
Take any dalla-dalla (which are of course the most common public transport at the area, but there is always an option of using other private transports) heading north along Uhuru Ave for about six and half kilometers to Kihesa Kilolo (‘K/Kilolo’) and ask it to drop you at the turn-off (marked by a tiny sign reading ‘Igeleke Rock Arts’). From there, it’s about nine hundred and fifty meters on foot to the base of the large rock where the paintings are: follow the dirt track west off the highway, going left at the fork and then right after the football pitch. Taxis charge approximately twenty thousand shillings (which is about ten US dollars) return, including waiting time – be clear with the driver about how much time you will spend at the site, as drivers have been known to leave.
Other attractions found in Iringa
Iringa is a region famous for a fascinating history, hence a home to various Historic attractions. Apart from Igeleke Paintings, Iringa Region is home to a number of splendid attractions worth a visit. One of the places includes the Iringa Boma, a must-see place for who is interested in gaining knowledge and recreating oneself. You will also be connected with culture and heritage in Iringa. It is a fascinating place where you will hear many stories about Iringa ethnicities such as; stories about Iringa in the past and in the present, stories about the different people making Iringa their home, stories about customs, traditions and ways of life and stories about the off the beaten track places that make Iringa unique.
History of the Building
Iringa Boma is one of the oldest remaining buildings in Iringa. It is also the richest place in terms of Tanzanian history, as it consists of vast of historical memories and evidences which are worthy paying a visit. Iringa Boma was constructed in 1914 by the German colonial regime. It was a place originally designed with the main purpose of serving as a military hospital. The combination of the sophisticated German colonial architecture, African, Swahili and European styles makes this oldest building magical for historians and nature lovers.
Probably you don’t know the meaning of the word “Boma”. This is a Swahili word for fortification, perfectly describing the Centre as a stronghold of culture and heritage in Iringa Region., Igeleke Paitings
Ruaha and Udzungwa National Parks
These are unspoiled national parks where you will explore through untouched destinations. You will view the African elephants, greater and lesser kudu, leopard, cheetah and many other wild animals.
Gangilonga Rock
This is another unique destination situated in the Gangilonga area where you will observe the Gangilonga Rock. It was used by the chief Mkwawa in his long resistance against German colonial rulers.
Other destinations found in Iringa include Commonwealth Grave Yard, Isimila Rock Age Site, Kalenga Village and Museum and Neema Crafts.
The creative artistic painting depicted in rocks at Igeleke and Kondoa Irangi makes the southern part of Tanzania, an ordinary sight-seeing destination for history and arts adventurers. Spectacular parks like Mikumi, Ruaha, Kitulo, Udzungwa Mountains and the Selous Game Reserve attract thousands of wildlife explores from around the world. Booking a trip to this southern part especially at the Igeleke paintings is an unforgettable.
