Along the main highway between Iringa and Mbeya is a massive pine plantation which also happens to have two lakes. There is a large lake, Lake Ngwazi, and a smaller reservoir with a neighboring wetland. It's an easy drive from Iringa with some nice birdwatching opportunities so this week we decided to pop down there and check it out.
I'm not sure the area is geared towards the public so we just followed roads on satellite imagery winding through the plantation. We eventually found our way to Lake Ngwazi but were seemingly on the wrong side of the lake. There were some buildings and tea fields on the other side but we didn't drive all the way around. Instead we drove along the northern side of the lake stopping to watch birds occasionally but there wasn't much going on.
We continued along to the smaller lake and found a place to park and went on a nice walk. There was a small dam and a wetlands where we saw a Whyte's Water Snake and a variety of other birds. The chilly highlands air was perfect with the sunshine. We saw a pastoralist out in the distance with some cows coming to drink but otherwise the area was very quiet.
We really enjoyed the area and it would be great to do some camping there. For a day visit it's a little far from Iringa but it does offer a nice place to get out and walk so even a packed lunch day could be excellent.
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