Lake Eyasi, Tanzania
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My last two visits to Tanzania were very
memorable. I went to the Lake Eyasi
region and had a very educational
visit with two of Tanzania's remote
tribes, the Hadzabe and Datoga people.
These wonderful and exciting people live as their ancestors have done many hundreds of years ago. The Hadzabes are Tanzania's last nomads. They are hunters and live what the land has provided. There are only approximately 200 of these people left. They speak a click language and it is educational to go hunting with the men. The Datoga people are like the Maasai, and are just as interesting. The one village I visited I was able to learn about their culture and traditions from the Chief and his 7th wife. The Chief is in his 70's, but is still a strong influence when it comes to retaining their tribal beliefs and customs. He is not ready for his people to become Westerners. All he asks is that tourists respect their dignity and their way of life. Helping any tribe may be a worthy cause to many, but you have to do so with the respect of the people. Do not force them to change their culture, because of your own beliefs or upbringing.
There is a local tour guide, in the Lake Eyasi region, by the name of Momoya Muhindoi. He has an excellent reputation with the local people and other guides use him to assist with the tourists. He speaks the local dialect/language and is related to one of the Datoga Chiefs.
Momoya can be reached at: momoyaeyasi@yahoo.com or P.O. Box 120 Karatu via Arusha, Tanzania.
Karatu is a humble village, which is also worth a visit. There is a local bar with a friendly local female owner. The bar is on the main road in Karatu. Lake Eyasi is also a great place to do some hiking. You will not be disappointed by visiting this area. Check out Momoya's campsite and see a few of the small local wildlife that roam the campsite.
More information and tours in the Eyasi Region:
- 12 Tented Safari from Borton Overseas. This safari includes the Lake Eyasi region and allows for some hunting and gathering with the Hadzabe tribe.
- Information and photos about Lake Eyasi from Kilimanjaro.cc.
Images of the Datoga from Anthrophoto.com.
- Hadzabe Culture Article about the Hadzabe tribe and art of survival in the modern world.
