The seasonal salt lake of Lake Eyasi in Tanzania

National parks Tanzania

Lake Eyasi

An unspoilt salt lake on the edge of the Great Rift Valley: home to the Hadzabe and Datoga, far from mass tourism.

serengeti

tarangire

ngorongoro

lake manyara

arusha

lake eyasi

lake natron

  • Jambo - Hello

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  • Karibu - Welcome

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  • Hakuna Matata - No worries

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  • Rafiki - Friend

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  • Asante - Thank you

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Lake Eyasi

Far off the beaten track

Lake Eyasi is one of Tanzania’s most fascinating and least-visited lakes: an oasis of calm where nature and ancient cultures come together.

Set on the edge of the Great Rift Valley, this salt lake offers a breathtaking landscape of baobab trees and rugged hills, and a remarkable cultural experience.

Here you connect deeply with both the landscape and the peoples who have lived around the lake for centuries: the Hadzabe and the Datoga.

Hadzabe & Datoga

Hunting with bow and arrow

Flamingos & pelicans

Great Rift Valley

Hadzabe hunter at Lake Eyasi in Tanzania

Lake Eyasi facts ✦

Click language

The Hadzabe speak a remarkable click language, Hadzane.

±1 m deep

The salt lake is very shallow and seasonal: the water level varies enormously.

Ancient

The Hadzabe way of life has barely changed in thousands of years.

Trade

The Hadzabe and Datoga have traded arrowheads and honey for generations.

Travel with meaning

What makes Lake Eyasi so special

From flamingos on the shallow water to a morning hunt with the Hadzabe: at Lake Eyasi you discover traditional Tanzania.

Seasonal salt lake

From flamingo to baboon

Life along the lake

Unlike the alkaline waters of Lake Natron, Lake Eyasi is a seasonal lake whose water level varies greatly with the rainfall. It is home to a range of bird species, including flamingos, pelicans and storks.

The surrounding grasslands attract wildlife such as giraffes, baboons and antelope: an interesting destination for nature lovers who look beyond the familiar parks.

See our sample itineraries

Seasonal salt lake

From flamingo to baboon

Life along the lake

Unlike the alkaline waters of Lake Natron, Lake Eyasi is a seasonal lake whose water level varies greatly with the rainfall. It is home to a range of bird species, including flamingos, pelicans and storks.

The surrounding grasslands attract wildlife such as giraffes, baboons and antelope: an interesting destination for nature lovers who look beyond the familiar parks.

See our sample itineraries

out hunting with the hadzabe

Ancient cultures

Meeting the Hadzabe and Datoga

The Hadzabe, one of the last true hunter-gatherer peoples in the world, live in the dry savannah around the lake in a way that has barely changed in thousands of years. You can join them on a hunt and learn about their traditional way of life, in which archery and tracking are central.

The Datoga also live here, a semi nomadic people known for their metalwork. They forge beautiful jewellery and spearheads from recycled metal. A visit to a Datoga village is a fascinating insight into their traditions.

out hunting with the hadzabe

Ancient cultures

Meeting the Hadzabe and Datoga

The Hadzabe, one of the last true hunter-gatherer peoples in the world, live in the dry savannah around the lake in a way that has barely changed in thousands of years. You can join them on a hunt and learn about their traditional way of life, in which archery and tracking are central.

The Datoga also live here, a semi nomadic people known for their metalwork. They forge beautiful jewellery and spearheads from recycled metal. A visit to a Datoga village is a fascinating insight into their traditions.

far from mass tourism

Savannah, baobabs and rock formations

An unspoilt landscape

The landscape around Lake Eyasi is raw and unspoilt: sweeping savannah, acacia woodland and mysterious rock formations. Sunrise and sunset over the lake are spectacular, with warm golden tones bathing the surroundings in a magical glow.

This remote area is perfect for travellers who want to avoid mass tourism and are looking for an authentic, intimate experience of both the landscape and the people who live there.

Plan your safari with Kembe

far from mass tourism

Savannah, baobabs and rock formations

An unspoilt landscape

The landscape around Lake Eyasi is raw and unspoilt: sweeping savannah, acacia woodland and mysterious rock formations. Sunrise and sunset over the lake are spectacular, with warm golden tones bathing the surroundings in a magical glow.

This remote area is perfect for travellers who want to avoid mass tourism and are looking for an authentic, intimate experience of both the landscape and the people who live there.

Plan your safari with Kembe

Through our lens

Lake Eyasi in pictures

A selection of what our travellers and guides caught on camera around the lake, from the shimmering salt lake to hunting with the Hadzabe.

The Hadzabe people at Lake Eyasi
The shimmering salt lake of Lake Eyasi
Out hunting with the Hadzabe
Hadzabe hunter with bow and arrow
Meeting the Hadzabe at Lake Eyasi
Tanzanian landscape

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Karibu - welcome

“Will you join the Hadzabe on a hunt?”

Lake Eyasi is a rare chance to discover traditional Tanzania, far off the beaten track. Take the first step towards your dream trip. We’d love to talk through what you have in mind.

Want to know more about your trip?