IMG
© Isaac Kilusu

Nanja & Lake Eluanata

-3.40014 , 36.26526

Tanzania

Approximately 45 km from Arusha city and 2km from Nanja township is Eluanata dam, known for its vast number of waterbirds. This is one of the key biodiversity areas in northern Tanzania. Surrounded by local maasais, it acts as a lifeline for for them and their cattle throughout the year. The dam is approximately 15 km around, so you might need a full day's walk to complete it, the nearby plains and bushes host a good number of grassland birds. This dam is one of the important bird areas in Northern Tanzania.

Delete exact location

The introductory text should contain general information about the site, which may include for instance:
• geographic/ biogeographic location
• habitat and vegetation
• typical bird species/bird communities
• protection status
• land use and history
• importance for birdwatching

Site name was changed by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) into "Nanja & Lake Eluanata" (2021-02-06 12:11:08 )

Coordinates were set by Isaac Kilusu : -3.4001/36.2653 (2021-02-06 08:23:49 )

Site name was set by Isaac Kilusu as "Lake Eluanata-Nanja" (2021-02-06 08:23:49 )

Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-11-02 12:35:57
Approximately 45 km from arush Arusha city and 2km from nanja Nanja township is eluanata dam,known Eluanata dam, known for its vast number of waterbirds.it is waterbirds. This is one of the key biodiversity areas in northern tanzania.sorounded Tanzania. Surrounded by local maasais,it maasais, it acts as a lifeline for for them and their cattles through out cattle throughout the year,the year. The dam is approximately 15 km around,so around, so you might need a full day day's walk to complete it, the near by nearby plains and bushes host a good number of grassland birds.birds. This dam is one of the important bird area areas in Northern TanzaniaTanzania.
Edited by Isaac Kilusu on 2021-02-06 13:33:23
Approximately 45 km from arush city and 2km from nanja township is eluanata dam,known for its vast number of waterbirds.it is one of the key biodiversity areas in northern tanzania.sorounded by local maasais,it acts as a lifeline for for them and their cattles through out the year,the dam is approximately 15 km around,so you might need a full day walk to complete it, the near by plains and bushes host a good number of grassland birds.This dam is one of the important bird area in Northern Tanzania

  • Top species

List up to ca. 25 species that:
• have a limited distribution range and/or are rare on a global level
• are most sought-after by birdwatchers at this site
• and are relatively easy to see at this site (year-round or seasonally)

White-faced Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna viduata)
Fulvous Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna bicolor)
Cape Teal (Anas capensis)
Red-billed Duck (Anas erythrorhyncha)
Southern Pochard (Netta erythrophthalma)
Laughing Dove (Spilopelia senegalensis)
Namaqua Dove (Oena capensis)
Horus Swift (Apus horus)
Eurasian Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus)
African Swamphen (Porphyrio madagascariensis)
Three-banded Plover (Charadrius tricollaris)
Long-toed Lapwing (Vanellus crassirostris)
Blacksmith Lapwing (Vanellus armatus)
Senegal Lapwing (Vanellus lugubris)
Kittlitz's Plover (Anarhynchus pecuarius)
Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola)
Long-tailed Cormorant (Microcarbo africanus)
Great White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus)
Squacco Heron (Ardeola ralloides)
Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea)
African Marsh Harrier (Circus ranivorus)
Red-fronted Barbet (Tricholaema diademata)
Fischer's Sparrow-Lark (Eremopterix leucopareia)
Rufous-naped Lark (Mirafra africana)
Lesser Swamp Warbler (Acrocephalus gracilirostris)
Capped Wheatear (Oenanthe pileata)
Rufous-tailed Weaver (Histurgops ruficauda)

Rufous-tailed Weaver (Histurgops ruficauda) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-06 13:47:15)

Horus Swift (Apus horus) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-06 13:46:43)

Fischer's Sparrow-Lark (Eremopterix leucopareia) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-06 13:46:18)

Long-tailed Cormorant (Microcarbo africanus) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-06 13:45:15)

Great White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-06 13:44:58)

Namaqua Dove (Oena capensis) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-06 13:44:08)

Rufous-naped Lark (Mirafra africana) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-06 13:43:41)

Kittlitz's Plover (Anarhynchus pecuarius) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-06 13:43:19)

Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-06 13:42:58)

White-faced Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna viduata) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-06 13:42:36)

Fulvous Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna bicolor) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-06 13:42:16)

Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-06 13:41:39)

Red-fronted Barbet (Tricholaema diademata) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-06 13:41:22)

Squacco Heron (Ardeola ralloides) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-06 13:40:42)

Senegal Lapwing (Vanellus lugubris) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-06 13:38:14)

Long-toed Lapwing (Vanellus crassirostris) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-06 13:37:44)

Three-banded Plover (Charadrius tricollaris) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-06 13:37:24)

Blacksmith Lapwing (Vanellus armatus) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-06 13:37:03)

Laughing Dove (Spilopelia senegalensis) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-06 13:36:40)

Eurasian Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-06 13:36:07)

African Swamphen (Porphyrio madagascariensis) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-06 13:35:43)

Lesser Swamp Warbler (Acrocephalus gracilirostris) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-06 13:35:18)

African Marsh Harrier (Circus ranivorus) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-06 13:35:00)

Cape Teal (Anas capensis) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-06 13:34:40)

Red-billed Duck (Anas erythrorhyncha) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-06 13:34:24)

Southern Pochard (Netta erythrophthalma) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-06 13:34:02)

Capped Wheatear (Oenanthe pileata) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-02-06 13:33:43)

  • Timing and strategy

Availability of waterbirds here varies according to season. If you are targeting migrant waders the best time to be here is from late October to early may, but still there are more resident waders and few passerines around. You can plan for half a day to a full day tour according to your taste. No local guides are available here so you need to pick one from Arusha, preferably from the famous kilusu bird club.

Give recommendations for making your visit as productive as possible.
This may include for instance:
• best season
• best time of the day
• how much time to spend at the site
• best means of locomotion within the site
• recommended routes / areas within the site
• guiding

Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-11-02 12:36
Availability of waterbirds here varies according to season,if season. If you are targeting migrant waders the best time to be here is from late October to early may,but may, but still there are more resident waders and few passerines around.you around. You can plan for half a day to a full day tour according to your taste.taste. No local guides are available here so you need to pick one from arusha Arusha, preferably from the famous kilusu bird clubclub.
Edited by Isaac Kilusu on 2021-02-06 13:53
Availability of waterbirds here varies according to season,if you are targeting migrant waders the best time to be here is from late October to early may,but still there are more resident waders and few passerines around.you can plan for half a day to a full day tour according to your taste.No local guides are available here so you need to pick one from arusha preferably from the famous kilusu bird club
  • How to get there

Almost 45 minutes' drive from Arusha city centre along the arusha-makuyuni road, once you are at nanja township on your right drive for 2km then you will be at Eluanata dam.

If you are using public transport you can board a minibus from Arusha town, get off at nanja township, then start birding from there through the dry cultivations depending on the time of the year to where the dam is. 

Explain from where and how to get to this site with private and public transport.

Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-11-02 12:37
Almost 45minutes self 45 minutes' drive from arusha Arusha city centre along the arusha-makuyuni road,once road, once you are at nanja township on your right drive for 2km then you will be at eluanata dam if Eluanata dam. If you are using public transport you can board a minibus from arusha town Arusha town, get dropped off at nanja township,then township, then start birding from there through the dry cultivations depending on the time of the year to where the dam isis. 
Edited by Isaac Kilusu on 2021-02-06 13:58
Almost 45minutes self drive from arusha city centre along the arusha-makuyuni road,once you are at nanja township on your right drive for 2km then you will be at eluanata dam if you are using public transport you can board a minibus from arusha town get dropped at nanja township,then start birding from there through the dry cultivations depending on the time of the year to where the dam is

No entry permits are needed to bird here

Provide information on how to enter this site, which may include:
• entry points
• entry permits / entry tickets and fees
• opening hours / opening season
• other restrictions

Note that this section should only contain information on how to ACCESS (= enter) a site. Info on how to REACH a site should be added to "How to get there" section.

Edited by Isaac Kilusu on 2021-02-06 13:59
No entry permits are needed to bird here
  • Other attractions

beautiful landscapes and a visit to maasai boma 

Add information about other attractions at this site, including
• wildlife (apart from birds)
• sights (natural, cultural, archaeological, etc.)
• activities (e.g. for non-birding companions)

Edited by Isaac Kilusu on 2021-02-06 14:00
beautiful landscapes and a visit to maasai boma 

There are no available hotels or information centers here, you have to book your hotel or lodge at Arusha town or nearby areas.

Provide information about what type of facilities are available at
or near this site, including:
• information centers / information points
• catering
• accommodation
• hides and watchtowers
• restrooms / toilets

Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-11-02 12:38
There are no available hotels or information center is in this place,you centers here, you have to book your hotel or lodge at arusha Arusha town or nearby areasareas.
Edited by Isaac Kilusu on 2021-02-06 14:01
no available hotels or information center is in this place,you have to book your hotel or lodge at arusha town or nearby areas

As usual being an area in the heart of the maasai land, it is always peaceful. You will need to come with rainboots during the rainy seasons, from November to June.

Are there any security issues or other annoyances at this site? For
instance, these may include:
• offenses like robbery or theft
• natural hazards
• dangerous or annoying animals or plants (mosquitoes, leaches, thorn bushes, etc.)
• noise pollution

Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-11-02 12:38
as As usual being an area in the heart of the maasai land land, it is always peaceful.you peaceful. You will need to come with rainboots during the rainy seasons,from seasons, from November to juneJune.
Edited by Isaac Kilusu on 2021-02-06 14:04
as usual being an area in the heart of the maasai land it is always peaceful.you will need to come with rainboots during the rainy seasons,from November to june
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Nanja & Lake Eluanata - Orniverse