# Nkhotakota District, Central Region – Traditional authorities

> Source: https://wherepedia.org/malawi/central/nkhotakota/

District · Central Region 

# Nkhotakota District

Nkhotakota District is a district of Malawi in Central Region. It had an estimated **437,163 people** in 2023 on 4,309 km² (about 101 per km²). Its main town is Nkhotakota. It is divided into 9 traditional authorities. 179 named villages and localities are recorded here, and 29 mapped services such as hospitals, banks and schools.

- 437,163people (2023)
- 4,309km²
- 9traditional authorities
- 29mapped services

## How many people live in Nkhotakota District?

Nkhotakota District had an estimated **437,163 people** in 2023 — 5.1% of Central Region, 20th of 32 districts. There are 1,046 women for every 1,000 men (close to the Central Region figure of 1,046). Spread over 4,309 km², that is about **101 people per km²**, 26th of 32 districts.

42.6% of people are children under 15 and 3.2% are 65 or older; the median age is about 18 years (it is 19 across Central Region). For every 100 people of working age (15–64) there are 85 children and older people.

0–4 ****67,716**

5–9 ****61,527**

10–14 ****57,095**

15–19 ****50,995**

20–24 ****41,610**

25–29 ****33,424**

30–34 ****28,098**

35–39 ****22,492**

40–44 ****18,418**

45–49 ****14,762**

50–54 ****11,858**

55–59 ****8,624**

60–64 ****6,620**

65–69 ****4,820**

70–74 ****3,484**

75–79 ****2,457**

80–84 ****1,633**

85–89 ****931**

90–94 ****420**

95+ ****178**

Source: [Malawi National Statistics Office via OCHA HDX, population 2023 (COD-PS, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ps-mwi).

## Where is Nkhotakota District?

Nkhotakota District lies in [Central Region](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/central/), [Malawi](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/). It borders 5 other districts: [Kasungu District](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/central/kasungu/), [Mzimba District](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/mzimba/), [Nkhatabay District](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/nkhatabay/), [Ntchisi District](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/central/ntchisi/) and [Salima District](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/central/salima/). By area it is the 8th largest of 32 districts in Malawi. It covers 12.1% of [Central Region](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/central/). The centre of Nkhotakota District is about 129 km in a straight line from Lilongwe, the capital. The centre point is at -12.8320° N, 34.0519° E.

Source: [National Statistics Office of Malawi via OCHA HDX, administrative boundaries (COD-AB, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ab-mwi).

## Traditional authorities of Nkhotakota District

Traditional authority Area km² Localities Services 

[Nkhotakota Boma](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/central/nkhotakota/nkhotakota-boma/) 12 4 11 

[Nkhotakota Game Reserve](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/central/nkhotakota/nkhotakota-game-reserve/) 1,788 6 1 

[STA Kalimanjira](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/central/nkhotakota/sta-kalimanjira/) 78 3 0 

[TA Kafuzila](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/central/nkhotakota/ta-kafuzila/) 565 23 0 

[TA Kanyenda](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/central/nkhotakota/ta-kanyenda/) 602 61 9 

[TA Malenga Chanzi](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/central/nkhotakota/ta-malenga-chanzi/) 236 29 5 

[TA Mphonde](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/central/nkhotakota/ta-mphonde/) 179 18 1 

[TA Mwadzama](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/central/nkhotakota/ta-mwadzama/) 608 27 2 

[TA Mwansambo](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/central/nkhotakota/ta-mwansambo/) 241 12 0 

Source: [National Statistics Office of Malawi via OCHA HDX, administrative boundaries (COD-AB, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ab-mwi); [GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) — settlements, natural and historic features](https://www.geonames.org/); [Overture Maps places (CDLA-Permissive-2.0) and © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)](https://overturemaps.org/).

## Villages and localities in Nkhotakota District

Open gazetteers list **179 villages, towns and localities** in Nkhotakota District. The largest with a recorded population: Nkhotakota (31,974). Settlements here lie between about 476 m and 1,429 m above sea level (median 494 m).

- Aaron
- Ali Kanyenda
- Ambale Phaso
- Augustino
- Bana
- Bang
- Benga
- Bondo
- Bowa
- Bwala
- Cendesula
- Chadzuka
- Chanika
- Chapasuka
- Chawala
- Chia
- Chiboko
- Chibotero
- Chibwana
- Chigadula
- Chikanje
- Chikiwowe
- Chikombe
- Chikunumbu
- Chilibuno
- Chiluvya
- Chimbindu
- Chimbumbuka
- Chimbuto
- Chimgonda
- Chimweyo
- Chinemba
- Chingole
- Chipapika
- Chipembere
- Chiputa
- Chiputula
- Chiromangala
- Chisoti
- Chitumbwe
- Chitundu
- Chiutsi
- Chiwaula
- Chizangwe
- Chomba
- Chombo
- Chongole
- Choto
- Dwambazi
- Dwangwa
- Guy Kaludwe
- Heta
- Jeremiah Boa
- Jinga
- Kabululu
- Kachuma
- Kada
- Kafita
- Kajaliza
- Kalongo
- Kalungama
- Kambola
- Kambona
- Kamchaeni
- Kamkondo
- Kamphambale
- Kampongo
- Kamtoma
- Kamunkokwe
- Kankhomba
- Kanongola
- Kanunkha
- Kanyamngondo
- Kanyenda
- Kapeta
- Kapichila
- Kapunduli
- Kasaja
- Kasitu
- Kaswaya
- Katengeza
- Katimbila
- Katimbira
- Kawerama
- Kwakwala
- Lawrence Kachulu
- Licere
- Lingona
- Liwaladzi
- Liwewe
- Liwowo
- Lozi
- Lunda
- Luwanda
- Mafupa
- Makuta
- Makwazi
- Malamba
- Malenga
- Maluma
- Manfred Tito
- Mankukwa
- Manyamba
- Materezi
- Mateyo Zunga
- Matiki
- Mbalame
- Mbaluko
- Mbewa Village
- Mbiwi
- Mbuluma
- Mchambwe
- Mgwinthi
- Mjuwa
- Mkomba
- Mkombozi
- Mkwanda
- Mndoka
- Mnthanje
- Mpeta
- Mphamba
- Mphonde
- Mpikapika
- Mposongwe
- Msamala
- Msenjere
- Msindwa
- Mtambo
- Mtanga
- Mtenje
- Mtosa
- Mtumbula
- Mtuntula
- Musa
- Mvula
- Mwadzama
- Mwadzanduwa
- Mwalala
- Mwandimba
- Mwansambo
- Mwansanbo
- Mwanzanduwa
- Mwazanduwa
- Mzoza
- Naferanje
- Namawata
- Ngala
- Ngala Beach
- Ngalaura
- Ngwata
- Nkhala
- Nkhonga
- Nkhotakota
- Nkhunga
- Nkoma
- Nkudzula
- Onaini
- Paulosi
- Penama
- Pendwe
- Salui
- Sani
- Sasani
- Selemani
- Simabvu
- Tambala
- Tandne
- Tanga
- Tantwe
- Tebulo
- Tenje
- Thom
- Tom Chipeta
- Tongole
- Tongoto
- Ungwe
- Usufu
- Zidyana
- Zunga

Source: [GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) — settlements, natural and historic features](https://www.geonames.org/); [© OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), Geofabrik extract — named settlements](https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright).

## Landscape and landmarks of Nkhotakota District

Named natural and historic features inside Nkhotakota District, from the GeoNames gazetteer.

### Water

100 rivers and streams; 7 lakes.

- Cabwato
- Camsani
- Chafumbi
- Chamalala
- Chamatawa
- Chamchere
- Chamkoma Stream
- Chanchepe
- Changanjo
- Chanzi
- Chapoli
- Chifuru Stream
- Chikoko
- Chikwale Stream
- Chilumba
- Chingale
- Chinthimbiri
- Chirua River
- Chitapwe
- Chitete
- Chizeu Stream
- Chumba
- Dididi
- Dwali

…and 83 more.

### Coast and islands

1 bay.

- Mosque Bay

### Hills and mountains

35 hills; 10 mountains.

- Chipata · 1,535 m
- Kazule Hill · 1,454 m
- Chivili · 1,453 m
- Timbamluzu · 1,321 m
- Mbengwa · 1,295 m
- Kauwa · 1,272 m
- Mkazimkata · 1,212 m
- Kapapasa · 1,207 m
- Mtera · 1,193 m
- Kamizu · 1,184 m
- Manyani Hill · 1,164 m
- Chipala · 1,163 m
- Mpongosi Hill · 1,140 m
- Nkufi Hill · 1,113 m
- Njongombe Hill · 1,099 m
- Chisoti Hill · 1,005 m
- Chitutu · 990 m
- Dowe · 986 m
- Ngombe Hill · 976 m
- Masingwa Hill · 962 m
- Chuwi Hill · 919 m
- Madzanga Hill · 868 m
- Makonje Hill · 855 m
- Kute Mountain · 840 m

…and 21 more.

### Forests and nature

2 wildlife reserves; 1 forest reserve.

- African Parks Camp Staff Houses
- Dwambazi Forest Reserve
- Nkhota Kota Game Reserve

### Estates

2 estates.

- Mphalanyongo
- Tiwi

### Getting around

4 bridges; 1 airport.

- Dwambazi Bridge
- Dwangwa Airport
- Kasangadzi Bridge
- Kasangadzi Bridge (possible location)
- Liwaladzi Bridge

Source: [GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) — settlements, natural and historic features](https://www.geonames.org/).

Places of worship are not listed. Elevations are from the GeoNames terrain model and are approximate.

## Weather in Nkhotakota District and the best time to visit

In Nkhotakota District, the warmest month is Nov (average 25 °C) and the coolest is Jul (17 °C). About 1,066 mm of rain falls in a year; the wettest month is Jan (287 mm) and the driest Jun (2 mm). The most comfortable months for a visit are **April to November**.

- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec

Month Average °C Rain mm 

Jan 22 287 

Feb 22 213 

Mar 22 176 

Apr 20 54 

May 19 10 

Jun 17 2 

Jul 17 2 

Aug 19 2 

Sep 22 3 

Oct 25 11 

Nov 25 64 

Dec 23 240 

Source: [NASA POWER climatology, retrieved 2026-10-29](https://power.larc.nasa.gov/).

## Hospitals, banks and other services in Nkhotakota District

Places mapped inside Nkhotakota District in open map data, by type — each number opens the full list with locations.

- Hospitals3
- Banks3
- Petrol pumps4
- Hotels15
- Restaurants3
- Police stations1

Source: [Overture Maps places (CDLA-Permissive-2.0) and © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)](https://overturemaps.org/).

Coverage depends on what has been mapped; contact details are not shown.

## Quick answers

- Where is Nkhotakota District?In Central Region, Malawi
- What is the population of Nkhotakota District?437,163 (2023 estimate)
- What is the median age in Nkhotakota District?About 18 years (2023 estimate)
- What is the population density of Nkhotakota District?About 101 people per km²
- What borders Nkhotakota District?Kasungu District, Mzimba District, Nkhatabay District, Ntchisi District and Salima District
- How many villages are in Nkhotakota District?179 named settlements (GeoNames, OpenStreetMap)
- What is the elevation of Nkhotakota District?Settlements lie between 476 m and 1,429 m
- What is the highest point in Nkhotakota District?Chipata (1,535 m, GeoNames elevation model)
- What is the best time to visit Nkhotakota District?April to November
- How many hospitals are in Nkhotakota District?3 mapped
- How many banks are in Nkhotakota District?3 mapped
- How many petrol pumps are in Nkhotakota District?4 mapped
- What is the P-code of Nkhotakota District?MW202 (OCHA common operational dataset)