Southwest of Ngorongoro crater, perched on heights overlooking Lake Eyasi, this lodge serves as a base for meeting the Hadza, a community that perpetuates a way of life centered on bow hunting and foraging comparable to ancient human practices studied in the Olduvai Gorge or at Koobi Fora. Few lodges in Tanzanie offer such direct access to this encounter.

Why stay here

The main appeal of Lake Eyasi Safari Lodge lies in its setting: the Lake Eyasi region is home to the Hadza, a community that perpetuates a lifestyle of bow hunting and foraging comparable to ancient human practices studied in the Olduvai Gorge or at Koobi Fora. Few lodges in Tanzanie offer such direct access to this encounter.

The lodge also operates on solar energy for lighting and hot water—a choice well-suited to its remote location. Its elevated position, removed from the Manyara-Ngorongoro corridor, makes it a peaceful base between two days of safari.

Atmosphere

The site sits on a gentle slope facing Lake Eyasi and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The architecture favors wood and local materials, with thoughtful landscape integration. The pool and outdoor terrace serve as a retreat during the heat of the day; the bar and common lounge take over in the evening. The whole place remains understated, without excessive decoration, in the spirit of a comfortable bush lodge.

Rooms

Accommodation consists of 16 double cottages scattered throughout the vegetation. Each room features a private veranda or wooden balcony with a view of Lake Eyasi. You can choose between a queen-size bed or two single beds, along with mosquito nets, wooden furnishings, a bathroom with a shower, toiletries, and bottled water. Lighting and hot water are powered by solar energy.

Dining and services

The main restaurant serves cuisine blending international and African influences, offered in the dining room or on the veranda. Beyond standard meals, two formats are well worth booking on-site: bush breakfasts and dinners under the stars. The bar rounds out the offering with cocktails, wines, spirits, and local beers.

On the practical services side:

• Pool and outdoor terrace
• Gift shop
• Wi-Fi
• Guided walks and bird watching departing from the lodge
• Immersive activities with the Hadza: bow hunting excursions, foraging in the bush, songs and dances around the fire

Hadza outings are organized early in the morning, when groups set out to hunt. Expect your guide to frame the experience and respect the community's pace.

Location and access

The lodge is located in the Karatu region, removed from the town center, in the direction of the north shores of Lake Eyasi. Two access options:

• From Arusha: approximately 3 to 4 hours by road, via Karatu.
• From Kilimanjaro Airport: a domestic flight of around 40 minutes to a regional airstrip, then a short road transfer to the lodge.

The air option makes sense if you're connecting several remote lodges; the road route works well within a classic northern circuit combining Tarangire, Manyara, and Ngorongoro.

When to visit

The Eyasi region can be visited year-round, but two windows stand out. The dry season (June to October) makes travel on tracks easier and Hadza outings more accessible, with less dense vegetation. The short dry season from January to February offers similar conditions with fewer visitors. The March-May rains can make certain secondary tracks challenging; it's best to plan on using a suitable vehicle.

What to combine in the region

For a coherent northern circuit, several lodges complement a stay at Eyasi:

• Bashay Rift Lodge in Karatu, a classic base for Ngorongoro
• Karatu Simba Lodge, another Karatu-area option
• Country Lodge for a more rural stop
• Karatu, the hub for exploring the region

Planning what comes next

Lake Eyasi Safari Lodge makes perfect sense as part of an itinerary combining northern safaris and cultural immersion. To build a custom journey, explore our Tanzanie trips.