Home to the Hadzabe bushmen, Lake Eyasi is one of the few places remaining in Africa where tribal life is still maintained relatively untouched by the development of the region. The Hadzabe people have called Lake Eyasi home for more than 10,000 years, and still retain their hunter gatherer lifestyle; making them one of the last bastions of ancient African tribal life. A visit to the Hadzabe lands offers a unique and unforgettable glimpse into an ancient culture.

Where is Lake Eyasi?

Lake Eyasi is situated at the southwestern end of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area between Great Rift Valley Eyasi escarpment and Kidero mountains, just 133 km (95 miles) west of Lake Manyara. Lake Eyasi cover an area of about 1,050 square km (400 square miles).

How Far is Lake Eyasi from Other Destinations in Tanzania?

• JRO Airport: 2.5-3 hours
• Arusha City: 1.5-2 hours
• Mt. Kilimanjaro basecamp (Moshi): 3-3.5 hours
• Arusha National Park: 2.5-3 hours
• Lake Manyara National Park: 0.5-1.5 hours
• Ngorongoro Crater: 2-2.5 hours
• Seronera (Central Serengeti): 4.5-5 hours

What activities can be done at lake Eyasi?

Guests are invited to overnight in these tribal lands as well as witness how these people continue to hunt and forage for their food in the face of Tanzania’s continued development. Observing an early morning hunting display, gathering honey, and traditional dance performances are all part of the experience.It is a cultural experience not to be missed, and it all happens against the backdrop of beautiful Lake Eyasi.

What does Lake Eyasi Look Like?

The lake is as all the other lakes in the Rift Valley a soda lake. Lake Eyasi, which has one principle spring, the Sibiti River, is enclosed with walls consisting of purple lava. The main attraction of Lake Eyasi are the Hadzabe bushmen, the indigenous inhabitants and the last community of hunters and gatherers in Africa. Lake Eyasi is their homeland for over 10,000 years. They are still holding to their traditional way of life, hunting and gathering different kinds of fruits and honey.

The Hadzabe live in caves and they don’t wear any kind of clothes but rather skin to cover the private parts. Their community is endangered, because most of their land has been taken away from them for commercial production and they are forced to join the civilization.

Lake Eyasi is also inhabited by another bushmen community, the Tindiga. This community is also a hunters and gatherers community, but they are tired of this kind of live and want to join the civilized world. They have been living for centuries from the forest and its products, hunting animals such as monkeys. The Tindiga people don’t have permanent houses and avoid buildings with iron sheets, because they believe they cause blindness.

An overview:

‍Dry Season (June – October)

• The weather is more pleasant. Daytime temperatures are typically in the mid 70’s and evenings/mornings will be cool.
• Animals are easier to find. Less vegetation means they have fewer places to hide and less water means they will be concentrated around the Lake Eyasi River. Since many migratory mammals return to the park during the dry season, wildlife will be more abundant.
• Less rain means less mosquitoes
• Slightly more people and slightly more expensive
• Migratory birds are not present in the park

‍Wet Season (November – May)

• The weather is a bit hotter and more humid. Temperatures are in the 80’s during the day.
• Animals may be more difficult to spot due to heavy vegetation and more water sources available to them. Many migratory mammals have also left the park so there is less wildlife present.
• More mosquitoes
• Less people and slightly less expensive
• There may be slight issues accessing certain parts of the park due to the rains.
• Excellent time for bird watching