Plizio Visual Lab

Lake Eyasi

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Lake

Weather…

Lake Eyasi is a seasonal endorheic salt lake located in the Great Rift Valley, southwest of the Ngorongoro Crater. Geographically, it sits at an altitude of about 1,030 meters and spans an area that varies greatly depending on rainfall. During the dry season, the lake can dry up almost completely, leaving behind a shimmering salt crust. The region is of great ethnological significance as it is home to the Hadza, one of Africa's last hunter-gatherer tribes, whose way of life has remained largely unchanged for millennia. The nomadic Datoga pastoralists also inhabit this arid but ecologically valuable environment. The flora is characterized by acacia woodlands and Doum palms, while the fauna includes numerous waterbirds that use the lake as a resting spot during the rainy season.

Location: Tanzania
Nearby: Lake Eyasi (18 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	22	22	22	21	21	20	20	21	23	23	23	22
Rain mm	150	98	145	130	52	8	3	7	11	38	131	153

📋 Practical info

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Getting there

Reached via a dusty, extremely bumpy dirt road from the Karatu area, consistently requiring a robust 4x4 off-road vehicle and a knowledgeable local guide to navigate safely.

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Best season

The extended dry season (June to October) is definitely best, as the dirt roads are reliably passable and regional wildlife increasingly congregates near the remaining water sources.

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Terrain & paths

The shallow lakebed is predominantly muddy and highly alkaline, surrounded by harsh, arid, rocky scrubland; the visible shoreline recedes very significantly during the dry months.

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What to bring

Bring plenty of extra drinking water, a wide hat, binoculars for excellent bird watching, and sturdy closed-toe shoes to handle the often thorny, uneven, and harsh ground.

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Parking

Vehicles are typically parked at designated, rustic campsites or securely near the rural settlements of local tribes, strictly under the direct supervision of your hired guide.

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Safety

The entire area is extremely hot and profoundly dry; absolutely avoid walking alone to prevent getting dangerously lost, and always be respectful when interacting with indigenous communities.

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Time needed

A comprehensive visit to the area usually takes a full half-day to a complete day, especially if rewarding cultural visits to the local Datoga or Hadzabe tribes are incorporated.