Lake Eyasi: Everything You Need to Know
Lake Eyasi is a famous soda lake near Ngorongoro Conservation Area and offers a very different experience from national park safaris in the northern circuit. The location is famous for being home to the Hadzabe - the last hunter-gatherers of East Africa whose practices have remained the same for over 10,000 years. Besides the Hadzabe there is another tribe that lives nearby - the Datogas. The Datogas however are more like the Maasai. They engage in agriculture and are excellent at working with metals. The shallow salty waters of the lake also attract a lot of birds. Flamingos, weavers, storks, and many others can be found enjoying the salty water or the shade of the trees nearby.
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Wildlife
Since the region is dominated by a salt lake with smaller wooded areas around it, not a lot of wildlife is present here. Although, you can still find smaller animals like dik-diks, vervet monkeys, mongooses, warthogs, and waterbucks. Hippos can also be found wallowing in the lake’s waters. The small herbivores also attract predators like hyenas, caracals, and jackals.
In the lake, you will be able to spot catfish and lungfish.
Birds
The salty waters of Eyasi are inviting for a variety of birds. Flamingos, Storks, and Pelicans are some of the most popular species found here. Besides them, you can also spot spoonbills, avocets, superfowls, Fischer’s lovebirds, barbets etcetera.
Vegetation
The region around Lake Eyasi is dominated by Palm trees, African Blackwoods, Acacias, and swamps of Typha.
Things to do
Visiting Lake Eyasi is more for those wanting to experience different cultures and watch birds rather than viewing the wildlife. There is not much game present in this region except for the smaller herbivores and carnivores mentioned above. But you may enjoy going bird watching here. Jewel-toned birds swooping down to the lake or chirping in the trees are a great sight for bird lovers.
Once you are done with bird watching, you can decide to go meet the Hadzabes early in the morning the next day. You are even welcome to go on a hunt or fruit collection with the tribesmen. They will also show you their weapons, jewellery, and the clothes that they make from elements found in their surroundings. Meeting the Hadzabes really gives one an insight into how our hunter-gatherer ancestors survived thousands of years ago.
Once you have met the Hadzabes, you may go and meet the Datogas. It will be similar to meeting the Maasai. They will show you their homes, farms, jewellery, and their metalwork. They are highly skilled metalworkers.
While the cultural visits are fascinating, you should understand Lake Eyasi is more of a detour and it takes you off the main track. The region will also be dusty and while meeting the tribes you might even have to sit on bare ground. So a Lake Eyasi trip might not suit everyone's taste.
To get a more detailed description of what to expect on Hadzabe and Datoga visits and make the right decision, click here.
Weather and Climate
Lake Eyasi experiences a mild climate.
During the dry season which is from June to October, the temperatures are around 20°C / 68°F early morning and at night, while during the day they can go as high as about 30° / 86°F.
During the Wet Season, which is from November to May, the temperatures are a bit high because of the humidity. During the day the temperatures go above 30°C / 86°F. Early morning and at night it will hover around 20°C / 68°F.
When to Visit
Lake Eyasi is a seasonal place.
Most tourists visit Tanzania during the dry season, although during this time the lake will be dried up. There will be just a dry lake bed or very little water. You won’t be able to find birds either. However, the location will still be quite scenic, and you will still be able to meet the Hadzabes and the Datogas.
During the wet season, however, you are sure to find a lake full of water with a variety of birds in the area. The springs near the lake will have attracted smaller wildlife too. So you can go bird watching and engage with the Hadzabe and the Datogas during this time.
Accommodations
Section to be updated.
Location and How to Reach
Lake Eyasi is located to the southwest of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
You can travel to Lake Eyasi by road. The location is about 4 hours away from the town of Arusha.
Fees
Section to be updated.
Safari Tours
We offer various itineraries that include safari tours to Lake Eyasi. To view some of our popular tours, click here.
FAQs
How many days do we recommend spending here?
We recommend a minimum of two days at Lake Eyasi. On day 1 you may visit the lake and meet the Datoga Tribe. On Day 2 you may join the Hadzabes early in the morning, and take part in their daily activities.
Is a Lake Eyasi tour for me?
Lake Eyasi is a great location for a cultural tour rather than a game drive. Those who are fascinated by the ways of the hunter-gatherers they have read about in the books will enjoy this location. It will be a unique experience to actually take part in the activities of such a tribe. However, if you are not interested in such an activity then you should not really consider Lake Eyasi.
The experience of meeting the Datoga tribe will be similar to meeting the Maasai, so it will not be as unique. Although, visiting a Datoga village might feel more authentic as the Maasai village tour in popular locations will be staged.
Similarly, you will be able to go birdwatching in other national parks, so besides a different scenery, birdwatching at Eyasi won’t be that different either.
Do I need to worry about the Tse Tse flies while meeting the Hadzabe?
You will encounter some Tse Tse in the wild while joining the Hadzabe so we advise you to dress up accordingly and carry a repellent with you.
Tse Tse flies are attracted to darker colours such as black and dark blue so refrain from wearing such tones.
What to expect while meeting the Hadzabe?
You will be able to join them on their hunt, collect fruits and berries, prepare food with them, and take part in fun activities such as dancing and having a look at their traditional jewellery. However, you must understand that you will have to keep up with the Hadzabe during their morning hunt. They will not be able to wait for you to catch up while stalking animals. To get a more detailed idea about what goes on a Hadzabe visit, click here.