Lake Eyasi is a seasonal, shallow salt lake located on the floor of the Great Rift Valley, near the base of the Serengeti Plateau. It sits just south of Serengeti National Park and southwest of the Ngorongoro Crater in the Crater Highlands. The lake is long and narrow, oriented southwest to northeast, and is part of the Eyasi-Wembere branch of the rift.
The scenery around Lake Eyasi is strikingly different from the nearby Serengeti and Ngorongoro Highlands. Palm trees line the shores, providing habitats for birds like Fischer’s lovebird, while umbrella thorn acacia and sandpaper bush dot the landscape. The area experiences hot, intense weather, as it lies on the floor of one of the world’s oldest rifts, thought to have formed over 65 million years ago.
Water levels in the lake vary greatly between seasons. During the dry season, the lake may nearly vanish, concentrating wildlife around the remaining water and making animal spotting easier. In the rainy season, the lake deepens, attracting hippos that enjoy cooling off in its brackish waters.
Lake Eyasi is ideal for exploring on foot, with day or half-day hikes offering excellent opportunities to enjoy the scenery. Visitors can also take part in cultural experiences with local tribes, such as hunting with the Hadzabe bushmen or visiting the Datoga and Mbulu communities. The Hadzabe live off the bush through bow hunting, using tools made entirely from natural materials, while the Datoga and Mbulu are pastoralists similar to the Maasai.
Birdwatchers will find Lake Eyasi a paradise, with an array of species including Africa spoonbills, flamingos, gray-headed gulls, great white pelicans, pied avocets, and yellow-billed storks. Fish in the lake include catfish and lungfish. Almost any time of year is suitable for visiting, except for the long rains in April and May, which can make access more challenging.