Lake Eyasi is a long, shallow soda lake below the Rift Valley wall, south-west of the Ngorongoro highlands. The water rises in the rains and shrinks to salt flats in the dry months, and the land around it is dry bush, baobabs and acacia. What brings travellers here is not wildlife but people. This is home to the Hadzabe, one of the last communities in Tanzania who still live mainly by hunting and gathering, and to the Datoga, pastoralists known for their skill as blacksmiths.

What to do

Morning with the Hadzabe: you set off before sunrise with a local guide from the area to join a small Hadzabe group as they begin their day. You may walk with the men as they hunt with bows, or with the women gathering roots, tubers and berries, and learn a little of Hadzane, a language that uses click sounds.
Datoga blacksmiths: visit a Datoga homestead to watch metal being worked by hand into arrowheads, bracelets and other pieces, and hear about cattle-keeping in this dry country.
The lake shore: a late afternoon walk to the water, where flamingos and other waterbirds gather when levels allow.
Farms and villages: the green fields near the springs, where onions are grown, are a contrast to the bush beyond.

Visiting with respect

All our visits are arranged with the communities through local guides who know the families personally, and the fees go to the community. These are people living their own lives on their own land, not a show put on for visitors. Groups are kept small, you ask before taking photographs, and you follow your guide's lead on when to join in and when to watch. Visits can be early and physical, so wear closed shoes and bring water. Be ready for a morning that does not follow a script.

When to go

Eyasi can be visited all year. The dry months, roughly June to October, are the easiest for walking and the roads. During the rains the lake fills and the bush turns green, but tracks can be muddy. Our Tanzania weather guide covers the seasons in more detail.

Getting there

From Arusha it is a drive of around four hours, passing Lake Manyara and Karatu, with the final part on gravel. From Karatu, the base for Ngorongoro, it is roughly an hour and a half.

Where to stay

There are a few small lodges and tented camps around the lake. Many travellers stay one night at Eyasi for the early start, or stay in Karatu and make an early drive across.

How it fits your trip

Eyasi fits naturally into a northern safari between Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater, and it gives the trip a human side beyond game drives. It works well after a Kilimanjaro climb, as the walking is gentle compared with the mountain. Let us know on the inquiry form if you would like to include it.