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Split view of a canvas guest tent porch and a bush fireside seating area beside boulders at Kisima Ngeda Tented Camp, Lake Eyasi

Ridge collection · Lake Eyasi

Kisima Ngeda Tented Camp

Thatched tents among doum palms on the shore of Lake Eyasi

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Collection
Ridge · Mid-range to upper mid-range
Destination
Lake Eyasi
Style
Lakeshore tented camp

About Kisima Ngeda Tented Camp

Kisima Ngeda is a small tented camp on the edge of Lake Eyasi, a long way from the usual safari circuit and all the more interesting for it. The setting is hot, open and unhurried. It makes sense as a base for a day with the Hadzabe hunter-gatherers, and Lemala often builds that visit into a longer northern route.

The photographs tell the story of a camp that is leafy and low-key. Thatched guest tents sit among doum palms, a canvas porch looks out towards boulders and bush, and a wooden lookout tower rises above the trees for views across the lake. After a hot day, a swimming pool surrounded by loungers is exactly what you want.

Evenings gather around a fire pit by the thatched lounge and dining buildings, where guests swap the day's stories under lamplight. It is a quiet, characterful place rather than a polished resort, and that is the appeal for travellers who prefer something a little off the main road.

  • Thatched guest tents scattered among doum palms by the lake
  • A wooden lookout tower for wide views across Lake Eyasi
  • Swimming pool with loungers for the hottest hours
  • Fire pit gatherings outside the thatched lounge and dining area
  • A natural base for time with the Hadzabe community
  • Garden grounds and a small, personal feel

Setting

The camp stands on the shore of Lake Eyasi, in a dry, open corner of the Rift Valley, with boulders, bush and groves of doum palms close around the tents. The lake is a broad, shimmering presence at the edge of the grounds, and the lookout tower gives a good vantage for sunrise, sunset and birds. Expect heat by day and a big sky at night.

Rooms and tents

Guests stay in canvas tents with thatched roofing, arranged among the palms and shaded by them. A porch at the front of each tent makes a pleasant spot to sit and watch the light change. Some seating areas sit among the boulders, with a fireside nearby. Tents are typically simple and comfortable rather than lavish, which suits the bush setting.

Dining

Meals are taken in the thatched dining building, with the lounge next door and a fire pit outside for the evenings. Expect hearty, home-style food suited to a remote camp, and plenty of cold drinks in the heat. Because supplies come from some distance, menus tend to be set rather than extensive, so tell us about dietary needs in advance.

Things to do from here

  • Guided visit with the Hadzabe hunter-gatherers
  • Climbing the lookout tower for lake views
  • Birdwatching around the shore and palms
  • Cooling off in the pool
  • Fireside evenings and stargazing

When to stay

Lake Eyasi is a hot, low-lying area, and the dry months of June to October are the most comfortable and the easiest for travel on the tracks. The lake level changes through the year, and it can look quite different after the rains. Heavier rain usually falls from March to May, so expect muddier roads and warmer, stickier days then.

Good to know

  • Cultural visits are usually early in the morning. Lemala arranges guides and timings, and we can explain what to expect.
  • Eyasi is hot and dusty for much of the year, so pack light layers, a hat and sun protection.
  • Power and connectivity are typically limited at a remote tented camp. Ask us what is available.
  • The Hadzabe visit is a cultural encounter, not a performance. Travel respectfully and follow your guide's lead.

Gallery

Inside Kisima Ngeda Tented Camp

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