This is a seasonal shallow endorheic salt-lake on the floor of the Great Rift Valley at the base of the Serengeti Plateau, just south of the Serengeti National Park. It is situated immediately southwest of the Ngorongoro crater in the crater highlands of Tanzania.

The Hadzabe bushmen resides in this region along with the Datoga and Mbulu tribes who are pastoralists, just like the Masai people.  Lake Eyasi’s scenery differs dramatically to that of the surrounding areas. The lake is bordered by palm trees – home to birds like the Fischer’s lovebird. Other trees in this area include the umbrella thorn acacia and sand paper bush. The weather is always very hot and intense as the lake is located in the floor of the Rift valley.

Lake Eyasi’s water levels vary greatly between the rainy and dry seasons. During the dry season the lake is virtually non-existent and animals are forced to share what water is left, which makes for easier wildlife viewing. The lake can get quite deep during the rainy season and it attracts hippos who like to cool off in its brackish waters.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Lake Eyasi’s offerings are highly seasonal and fluctuates between being a bird-filled watering hole to a dry lake bed, depending on what time of the year you visit. During the dry months of June to October Lake Eyasi almost dries out completely. That being said, it always offers excellent photographic opportunities. With the long rains from March to May, Lake Eyasi fills with shallow water and birds arrive from near and far to breed. Birders wanting to see a diverse range of species should be here when that happens. Here you won’t be bombarded with the crowds typically associated with Tanzania’s more popular national parks and wildlife reserves.