Lake Eyasi Safari

Lake Eyasi is roughly a four to five hour drive from Arusha and about one to one and a half hours from Karatu, near the Ngorongoro Crater gateway. The final stretch is a rough gravel road through farmland and acacia country. Because it sits close to Ngorongoro, most itineraries visit Lake Eyasi just before or after the crater, avoiding extra long transfer days. Driving times can be longer after heavy rain, so we build in comfortable breaks along the way.

Yes, Lake Eyasi combines easily with the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater on a private northern circuit safari. A popular sequence is Tarangire, Lake Eyasi, Ngorongoro and then the Serengeti, or the reverse. Five days covers Lake Eyasi plus two or three parks, while seven or eight days allows a full Serengeti stay. We plan the order around your interests and the season. This keeps the journey varied, with cultural mornings balancing long days of wildlife viewing.

A Lake Eyasi safari is well suited to families with children who enjoy hands-on learning. Kids often love watching fire being made by hand, trying a bow under supervision and seeing how the Datoga craft jewellery. Walks are short and paced to the youngest traveller. Our family itineraries mix these visits with game drives and pool time, and a private vehicle lets you stop whenever children need a break.

Lake Eyasi has modest wildlife, with flamingos and pelicans on the water when levels allow, plus baboons, small antelope and many woodland birds. Big game is better seen in nearby Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire and the Serengeti, which is why we pair Lake Eyasi with those parks. The lake's real draw is its people, its dramatic escarpment and its peaceful, little-visited landscapes. Early morning light over the escarpment and the lake is also wonderful for photography.

The cost of a private Lake Eyasi safari depends on the number of days, parks included, season and lodge style. As a general guide, budget camping safaris run about $250 to $390 per person per day, mid-range about $550 to $990 and luxury about $990 to $2,500. Community visit fees are usually built into the itinerary. Share your dates and wishes and we will send a tailored quote.