Lake Eyasi

Lake Eyasi is a shallow salt lake in the Great Rift Valley, south of the Ngorongoro highlands, that becomes salty only after rain. It is a quiet place with plenty of time to enjoy nature, and tall palm trees line its shores — very different from the savannah of the northern parks.

Animals near the lake

There are no Big Five here and fewer large animals than in the parks, but Lake Eyasi is wonderful for birdwatching. From June to November many water birds nest in the shallows; the stars are large flocks of flamingos and great white pelicans, with African spoonbills, Fischer’s lovebirds, grey-headed gulls, pied avocets, storks, barbets and weavers. Hippos rest in the lake during the day when it is full.

The Hadzabe

The Hadzabe live around the lake as one of the few peoples still living much as they did hundreds of years ago. They get all their food from the bush, hunting with bows and arrows — one of the last hunter-gatherer groups in Africa.