Takims introduce Lake Eyasi and Hadzabe tribe visit

Some stories aren’t written in books — they’re carried in the wind, sung by the fireside, and passed down through generations. On the shores of Lake Eyasi, in Northern Tanzania, the Hadzabe people live such a story.  By Tehsin Makim, director of Takims Holidays

The Hadzabe are amongst the last true hunter-gatherers on earth — a community whose way of life has changed little for thousands of years. In an age of speed and digital screens, spending time with them is less a “visit” and more a journey into another way of seeing the world.

The Road to Lake Eyasi
We left the familiar rhythms of the safari circuit behind — the lion calls, the endless plains — and drove toward the lake, its salty surface shining in the distance. It was a westward journey, with a turn off on the road between Karatu and Ngorongoro Crater. The land here felt different: semi-arid, sparse vegetation and a dramatic view of the escarpment in the distance.

As we arrived, the air felt still, and the silence was palpable. There were no sounds of 'civilisation' as we know it; no vehicles, no engines, no exhaust fumes. As we alighted from the vehicle, we came upon the Hadzabe camp; a cluster of small grass huts, the kind you might almost miss if you weren’t looking closely. 

Morning with the Hunters
And so at first light, my group and I joined a small entourage of Hadzabe men preparing for their morning hunt. There were no schedules, no gear beyond handmade bows and arrows tipped with sharpened metal. The air was cool, the earth both dry and muddy underfoot, and the hunters moved quickly, speaking in a language alive with clicks and whistles.

We followed them into the bush, where every sound — the rustle of leaves, the call of a bird — seemed to hold meaning. Their knowledge of the land was instinctive and intimate. They could read the faintest tracks, tell from a broken twig which way an animal had passed, and know which berries could be eaten and which to avoid.

They hunted not for sport, but for survival — with precision, and an understanding that every meal is a gift. They took from nature only that which they needed, and nothing more.

The Gift of Perspective
We returned back to camp a few hours later, having clocked no less than 10,000 steps (or so said the electronic gadgets we rely upon). We trekked along dry river beds, under thorn trees and through muddy puddles. We were exhausted, but the Hadzabe themselves barely broke a sweat. Today's hunt was not as successful as one would hope - only 6 birds in total. Not enough meat to feed the village. Apparently it was a dry week, no deers nor baboons, only a mongoose a few days prior. I have no doubt that having us in tow slowed them down, made them less agile, resulting in the 'prey' getting away.

And yet, they celebrated the hunt, with song and dance. They shared the meal together around the fire. The communal bond mattered far more than who brought in the most food that day.

Spending time with the Hadzabe was a reminder that “modern” is not always “better”. Here, life seemed to be stripped to its essentials — food, community, fire, and the unbroken bond with nature.

I realised they were not living in the past. They were living fully in the present, their own version of the present. And that is perhaps the rarest luxury of all.

How to Visit
Best Time to Go : Year-round, though June–October offers drier, cooler conditions for easier travel.

Getting There : Lake Eyasi is accessible by road from Karatu or Ngorongoro — about 1.5 – 2 hours’ drive. 

Typical Duration : A half-day or full-day excursion pairs well with a cultural visit to the Datoga blacksmith community nearby. We recommend an overnight stay at one of the boutique properties in the area, as a day trip can get rather hectic. 

Experience Style : Guided, small-group visits to ensure respectful interaction and minimal disruption to Hadzabe life.

For the Traveller who seeks connection
A visit to the Hadzabe is not about ticking off sights or chasing spectacle. It’s about stepping outside your own world and letting another way of life speak to you.

If you seek encounters that go beyond the surface — that invite you to listen, learn, and be inspired — Lake Eyasi is waiting.

For more information about this trip and extensive DMC services provided by Takims Holidays, please contact either Tehsin Takim [email protected] or Abbas Takim [email protected]