Lake Eyasi

Recommended number of days at this destination: 1

Lake Eyasi is a shallow (1m depth) soda lake located west of Lake Manyara and shares a border with the southern portion of Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The attraction in this area is the cultural tourism. Tanzania has 120 tribes, each with their own language and culture. Most all of them have adapted to a more modern way of life. The most notable exception is the Hadzabe Tribe who live near Lake Eyasi. They have resisted all attempts to modernize their way of life and exist as true hunter-gatherers. They are opportunistic in their existance hunting with bow and arrow anything from mice to giraffe. For larger game, poison-tipped arrows are used. They are also experts in gathering wild honey and foraging for edible tubors and berries. Their knowledge of herbal medicine is remarkable. The tribe is quite friendly and during a visit you can join them on a hunt. Be prepared to run through the bushes following them. You can join them in song and dance afterwards and compare your archery skills with theirs along with your ability to start a fire without matches. Their language is unique for Tanzania with the use of clicking sounds incorporated in their speaking.

The Datoga tribe lives nearby and are pastoralists although they are increasingly turning to agriculture. They are known for their metalworking skills, turning scrap metal such as keys and belt buckles into arrowheads and knives which they trade with the Hadzabe. They are an isolated tribe, resisting education and outside influence. Only 5% speak Swahili (Tanzania's national language) and only 1% are literate. Aside from trading with the Hadzabe, they are not a friendly tribe toward outsiders. In the past Datoga warriors would improve their status by killing any outside intruder. Fortunately, this is no longer the case. They are shy but when you are escorted by a local guide you are welcomed.

The accommodations in this area include basic camping, mid-range lodge, and luxury lodge. Since the best time to visit the Hadzabe is very early when they typically hunt at dawn, the most common itinerary is to arrive the previous day and visit the lake itself briefly and perhaps visit the Datoga. The next morning after spending the morning hours with the Hadzabe travel either back to Moshi/Arusha or to the next destination in the afternoon.