Salt Lake & Hadzabe Bushmen

The 50 km long Lake Eyasi is a relatively little-visited salt lake situated between northern Tanzania’s Rift Valley Eyasi escarpment and the Kidero Mountains. The area around the lake is known for, and home to, the Hadzabe bushmen – some of the last remaining hunter-gatherers on the African continent.

Larger than Lake Manyara and Lake Natron, the water levels of Lake Eyasi are very seasonal, with a general trend towards a falling water level. The Hadzabe people have inhabited the acacia forests and scrubland around Eyasi for over 10,000 years and now number approximately 1500 families. Also in the region live the Datoga – a tall, handsome, pastoralist tribe.

The meadows and swamps along the northern shores of the lake (an area known as Mangola Chini) are home to leopards, hippos, various monkeys and birds. Flexible walking tours of the area offer an opportunity to participate in Hadzabe daily life including bow mending, collecting of plants, water and herbal poisons.

Lake Eyasi also offers excellent views of the Rift Valley escarpment and is an ideal destination for relaxing and bird-watching.