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Lake Eyasi is a seasonal shallow endorheic salt lake on the floor of the Great Rift Valley at the base of the Serengeti Plateau, just south of the Serengeti National Park and immediately southwest of the Ngorongoro Crater in the Crater Highlands of Tanzania. The lake is elongated, orientated southwest to northeast, and lies in the Eyasi-Wembere branch of the Great Rift Valley
The Hadzabe bushmen live in this region, as do the Datoga and Mbulu tribes. A visit with the bushmen is worthwhile and they will graciously show you where and how they live and hunt. They subsist entirely off the bush and by bow hunting. Everything they use is made from local materials, including their bows which are strung with giraffe tendon and their arrows which are coated in lethal poison. Their language resembles that of Kalahari bushmen tribe (who were featured in the 1980 film ‘The Gods Must Be Crazy’) with clicking noises used.
The Datoga and Mbulu people are pastoralists, like the Masai people.
The scenery of Lake Eyasi differs dramatically to that of the surrounding areas. Compared to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Highlands this area seems downright tropical. Palm trees border the lake and make homes for birds such as Fischer’s lovebird. Other trees in this area include the umbrella thorn acacia and sand paper bush. The weather is nearly always very hot and intense, as the lake is located in floor of the Rift Valley, the oldest rift in the world. The rift is thought to have opened over 65 million years ago, shortly after dinosaurs became extinct.
Lake Eyasi’s water levels vary greatly between the rainy and dry seasons. During the dry season the lake is virtually nonexistent and animals are forced to share what water is left, which makes for easier wildlife viewing. The lake can get quite deep during the rainy season and it attracts hippos who like to cool off in its brackish waters.
Bird lovers will be in paradise here, as the lake attracts vast numbers of birds of all sizes and colors. Some main birds to be found here include: Africa spoonbill, flamingos, gray headed gulls, great white pelicans, pied avocet and yellow-billed storks. The main fish found in the lake are catfish and lungfish.
This region is particularly suited for exploring on foot, and day or half day hikes are highly recommended. It is also possible to go on a hunting trip with the Hadzabe or to visit the other tribes. Almost any time of year is a good time to visit Lake Eyasi with only April and May being questionable as they are when the long rains occur.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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