Giant Dinosaurs
Home to fossils of Giraffatitan brancai, one of the largest dinosaurs ever found.
Tanzania Historical Sites
Tendaguru Dinosaur Site
One of the richest dinosaur fossil sites in Africa, Tendaguru in southern Tanzania produced the bones of some of the largest dinosaurs ever discovered.
- Location
- 100 km northwest of Lindi
- Known For
- Dinosaur fossils
- Age
- About 150 million years
- Experience
- Off-the-beaten-track history
Discover Tendaguru
Land of the giants.
Tendaguru is a prehistoric site in southern Tanzania, about 100 km northwest of Lindi town, where fossils of the largest dinosaurs in the world were reported by a German engineer in the early 20th century. Among them was Brachiosaurus brancai, now known as Giraffatitan, one of the largest known dinosaurs.
The fossil beds date from the Late Jurassic period, around 150 million years ago, and are considered among the richest dinosaur deposits in Africa.
Why Tendaguru
A remarkable prehistoric story.
Tendaguru is a destination for curious travellers fascinated by the deep history of our planet.
Famous Expeditions
German expeditions between 1909 and 1913 excavated hundreds of tonnes of fossils.
Off the Beaten Track
A remote site in southern Tanzania, visited by few travellers.
Southern Coast
Easily combined with Lindi, Kilwa and the southern coast.
Location
Where is Tendaguru?
Tendaguru lies about 100 km northwest of Lindi town in southern Tanzania. It is reached by road from Lindi and is best visited with a local guide.
The site can be combined with a journey along the southern coast, including Kilwa and Mikindani.
When to visit
Every season tells a different Tendaguru story.
The dry season is best for reaching this remote site.
Dry Season
Cooler, dry weather, the best time for coastal and southern travel.
Hot Season
Hot and humid, with occasional short rains.
Long Rains
Heavy rains can make roads difficult; plan carefully.
What is the best month to visit Tendaguru?
Dry months make the roads easier to travel.
Hot and humid.
Hot, with clear days.
Long rains begin.
Heavy rains; roads can be difficult.
Rains continue.
Dry season begins.
Cool and dry, ideal for travel.
Dry and pleasant.
Excellent conditions.
Warm and dry.
Short rains begin.
Hot and humid.
Explore the area
Discover the area around Tendaguru.
Fossil beds and the southern coast.
Tendaguru HillFossil BedsThe original excavation area where the giant dinosaur bones were found.
LindiLindi TownA historic coastal town and gateway to Tendaguru.
Southern coastKilwaThe famous ruins of the Swahili city of Kilwa Kisiwani.
Southern coastMikindaniA small historic town with Swahili and colonial architecture.
The Giants of Tendaguru
Fossils that travelled the world.
Between 1909 and 1913, German expeditions excavated around 250 tonnes of fossils at Tendaguru, carried by local workers to the coast and shipped to Berlin.
A mounted skeleton of Giraffatitan brancai from Tendaguru stands in the Museum für Naturkunde in Berlin, one of the tallest mounted dinosaurs in the world.
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The story behind Tendaguru.
In 1906, a German mining engineer reported giant bones near Tendaguru Hill. The discovery led to one of the largest palaeontological expeditions in history.
Many fossils remain in museums abroad, while Tanzanian researchers continue to study the site and its importance for understanding Africa's prehistoric past.
What is Tendaguru famous for?
Fossils of giant dinosaurs, including Giraffatitan brancai.
Where is it?
About 100 km northwest of Lindi in southern Tanzania.
Can I see dinosaur bones there?
The site itself has few visible fossils today; most were taken to museums abroad, but the history is fascinating.
How do I get there?
By road from Lindi, ideally with a local guide.
When is the best time to visit?
The dry season, from June to October.
What else is nearby?
Lindi, Mikindani and the Kilwa ruins.
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