It is the largest body of water for both regions during the wet season.

It is located about 45 km west of the capital Dodoma in an endorheic basin known as the Bahi depression.

It lies at an altitude of 830 metres (2,720 ft) and has a maximum extent of 974 square kilometres (376 sq mi).

The lake is surrounded by a variety of settlements and plays an important role in local fishing and animal husbandry.

[1] The lake is in danger of being severely affected by mining in the future, as the area is evidently home to uranium, gold and probably diamonds.