Singida lakes (6997)
Tanzania, Africa

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Global KBA criteria: D1a

Year of last assessment: 2001

National site name: Singida lakes

Central coordinates: Latitude: -4.3000, Longitude: 34.7000

System: freshwater, terrestrial

Elevation (m): 1500 to 1500

Area of KBA (km²): 31.21658

KBA classification: Global

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: Singida town sits on a raised plateau at the south-western end of the Mbulu Highlands and between the two lakes, Singida and Kandai, which comprise the IBA. The western arm of the Eastern Rift lies to the north and west and the eastern arm to the east. The two lakes are typical Rift Valley lakes and receive rainwater only from the surrounding low-lying hills. Lake Singida is the more alkaline and the more likely to evaporate completely during dry periods. Lake Kindai, although fresher, appears to attract fewer birds, but there is extensive movement between the two. Beyond the northern end of Lake Kindai lies a marsh, its size dependent on lake levels and local rainfall.

Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.

Additional biodiversity: See Box for key species. Although rarely visited by ornithologists, the lakes are of great importance to waterbirds. Several species probably occur in numbers greater than are currently known, particularly Thalassornis leuconotus. Over 1,000 Pelecanus onocrotalus have been recorded. A count of 7,000 Limosa limosa in December 1993 was by far the highest ever count within East Africa and evidence of a previously unknown wintering population. There are no known counts of flamingos but both species are included here on anecdotal evidence. There is no doubt that both lakes, especially Lake Singida, are seasonally important to the Rift Valley population of these birds. A single flock of more than 1,000 Falco naumanni was recorded on grass plains north-east of the lake, but it is not clear if the site is regularly used. Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International.

Habitats

Land use: urban/industrial/transport

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Grassland	94
Artificial - Terrestrial	2
Wetlands(Inland)	2

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Both lakes are affected by growing urban sprawl, which practically reaches the high-water shoreline. Uncontrolled trapping for the international trade in larger waterbirds (including both species of flamingo) is a problem.

Additional information