We started very early in the morning from Arusha to reach Iringa by evening. Covering 681 kilometres in 12.5 hours, we found the road to Dodoma to be excellent tarmac. Beyond Dodoma, however, the journey became more challenging, with narrower roads winding through Tanzania’s southern highlands and plenty of potholes along the way.
The next day, we refuelled our truck at Puma and drove approximately 22 kilometres to the visitor centre of the Isimila Stone Age Site (🎟️ TZS 29,500), one of East Africa’s most important prehistoric archaeological sites. The site is renowned for its dramatic sandstone pillars and deep erosion canyons, creating a landscape unlike any other in Tanzania.
Archaeologists discovered thousands of stone tools at Isimila in 1951, including hand axes, cleavers, scrapers, and picks associated with the Acheulean culture. These artefacts were used by early human ancestors for hunting, cutting, and processing food. Fossilised animal remains, including extinct large-mammal species, have also been found in the area.
The site dates to between 60,000 and 500,000 years ago, making it one of the most significant Stone Age sites in East Africa. Evidence suggests that the area was once a lake and an attractive hunting ground for prehistoric hominids. Over thousands of years, erosion sculpted the landscape into the spectacular sandstone pillars seen today, some rising 15 to 30 metres above the canyon floor.
We joined a leisurely guided walk (TZS 20,000) through the striking red-earth canyons and towering rock formations. Combining archaeology, geology, and breathtaking scenery, Isimila offers a fascinating glimpse into humanity’s distant past and is a worthwhile stop for anyone travelling through the Iringa region.
Parking location – Kisolanza: 7.8959794S 35.6037722E (🚻,🚿,💦,🅿️20,000 TZS/pax)