Nyumba ya Mungu Reservoir, Reservoir in the Kilimanjaro and Arusha regions, Tanzania

Nyumba ya Mungu Reservoir is a large artificial lake in northern Tanzania, formed by a dam on the Pangani River. It sits in a flat, dry plain near Mount Kilimanjaro and is lined with low vegetation, small fishing settlements, and stretches of open shoreline.

The reservoir was created in 1965 as part of a government project to generate electricity for towns in the region, including Tanga and Moshi. The flooding of the valley displaced communities and changed the land permanently, while also opening up new possibilities for fishing along the Pangani River.

The name Nyumba ya Mungu means "House of God" in Swahili. Fishing is the main activity on the reservoir: permanent fishing settlements stand a few hundred metres from the water, and the state power company TANESCO, which runs the dam, limits their growth and the catch. In the dry season, cattle from nearby villages graze and trample the shore meadows.

The area is rural and most roads leading to the shore are unpaved, so a vehicle with good ground clearance makes access easier. The heat can be strong throughout the day, so arriving in the early morning is a good way to make the most of a visit.

Although the reservoir was built mainly for power generation, it has become one of the most productive inland fisheries in Tanzania, supplying local markets across the region. More than 70 bird species have been recorded here, which surprises many visitors who come expecting only open water and little else.