A seasonal wetland right along the main Iringa–Dodoma highway between Mtera and Chipogoro, making it the one productive birding site at Mtera that requires no detour at all. Pull over anywhere along this stretch and scan the marshy ground on either side of the road — in the right season you will see open-billed storks, saddle-billed storks, herons, and waders working the wet ground.
The Pakwaya (also spelled Takanya) mbuga is most productive in the late dry season, when birds concentrate around the remaining water. It can be combined with a visit to the Logi Mbuga wetland further west along the same road. Early morning is best; the light is good for photography and the birds are most active.