# Karonga District, Northern Region – Traditional authorities

> Source: https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/karonga/

District · Northern Region 

# Karonga District

Karonga District is a district of Malawi in Northern Region. It had an estimated **405,552 people** in 2023 on 3,418 km² (about 119 per km²). Its main town is Karonga. It is divided into 7 traditional authorities. 284 named villages and localities are recorded here, and 78 mapped services such as hospitals, banks and schools.

- 405,552people (2023)
- 3,418km²
- 7traditional authorities
- 78mapped services

## How many people live in Karonga District?

Karonga District had an estimated **405,552 people** in 2023 — 16.0% of Northern Region, 21st of 32 districts. There are 1,088 women for every 1,000 men (above the Northern Region figure of 1,069). Spread over 3,418 km², that is about **119 people per km²**, 25th of 32 districts.

40.6% of people are children under 15 and 3.6% are 65 or older; the median age is about 19 years (it is 19 across Northern Region). For every 100 people of working age (15–64) there are 79 children and older people.

0–4 ****56,239**

5–9 ****54,146**

10–14 ****54,463**

15–19 ****48,439**

20–24 ****39,493**

25–29 ****31,953**

30–34 ****27,250**

35–39 ****21,550**

40–44 ****17,762**

45–49 ****14,053**

50–54 ****10,761**

55–59 ****8,317**

60–64 ****6,481**

65–69 ****4,875**

70–74 ****3,898**

75–79 ****2,701**

80–84 ****1,828**

85–89 ****904**

90–94 ****317**

95+ ****122**

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 Karonga District?

Karonga District lies in [Northern Region](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/), [Malawi](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/). It borders 2 other districts: [Chitipa District](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/chitipa/) and [Rumphi District](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/rumphi/). By area it is the 11th largest of 32 districts in Malawi. It covers 12.6% of [Northern Region](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/). The centre of Karonga District is about 432 km in a straight line from Lilongwe, the capital. It is about 154 km from Mzuzu, the main town of Northern Region. The centre point is at -10.0850° N, 33.8659° 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 Karonga District

Traditional authority Area km² Localities Services 

[Karonga Town](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/karonga/karonga-town/) 44 17 37 

[Nyika National Park-Karonga](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/karonga/nyika-national-park-karonga/) 558 1 0 

[TA Kilupula](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/karonga/ta-kilupula/) 333 60 4 

[TA Kyungu](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/karonga/ta-kyungu/) 1,614 95 8 

[TA Mwakaboko](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/karonga/ta-mwakaboko/) 252 32 1 

[TA Mwirang'ombe](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/karonga/ta-mwirang-ombe/) 252 28 9 

[TA Wasambo](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/karonga/ta-wasambo/) 364 65 19 

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 Karonga District

Open gazetteers list **284 villages, towns and localities** in Karonga District. The largest with a recorded population: Karonga (69,486). Settlements here lie between about 480 m and 1,345 m above sea level (median 505 m).

- Alick Mponda
- Amosi Mwenechilanga
- Angetile Mughona
- Bundi
- Bunganiro
- Bwiba
- Chagoma
- Chakwera
- Chambogho
- Chaminade
- Chankholombe
- Chauteka
- Chegama
- Chesese
- Chewere
- Chifyo
- Chigoma
- Chihepusha
- Chikutu
- Chilawera
- Chilonga
- Chilumba
- Chimalabanthu
- Chimphinga
- Chinsebe
- Chinunu
- Chipangano
- Chisi
- Chisiza
- Chisumbu
- Chiteko
- Chitende
- Chiulazelo
- Chivundiko
- Chiwondo
- Elia Mwakasangila
- Fulirwa
- Fundi Hamisi
- Fwila
- GVH Mwantende
- Gonthaminga
- Gweleweta
- Hanga Seze
- Hangalawe
- Hara
- Humbu
- Ighana Mughona
- Ighembe
- Iponga
- Japi Gondwe
- Joseni
- Juma Kaila
- Kabwera
- Kafikisila
- Kakolya
- Kakoma
- Kalola
- Kambitoto Chausiku
- Kambitoto Mpanyule
- Kambomb
- Kambwe
- Kamguze
- Kamutenthenka
- Kanyuka
- Kapangi
- Kaphika
- Kapika
- Kaporo
- Kaposo
- Karonga
- Kasakarawe
- Kasangamala
- Kasangwa
- Kasantha
- Kasewe
- Kasikisi
- Kasjuli
- Kasoba
- Kaswela
- Kasyata
- Katesula
- Katolola
- Katumbi
- Kaundi
- Kavunguti
- Kayelekera
- Kayera
- Kayunga
- Kayuni
- Khwawa
- Kibwe
- Kisyombe
- Kliwawa
- Kolongolera
- Kyungu
- Lemelo
- Libwimbimbi
- Lifodi Mughona
- Lugazi
- Lulindo
- Lumphangara
- Lupaso
- Lupembe
- Luromo
- Lusako
- Lushununu
- Lutundu
- Lwezga
- Madulasi Sukutu
- Majaliro
- Malema
- Malopa
- Malten Mwakasangila
- Malungo
- Marko Mwenechilanga
- Maro
- Masoko
- Matambukira
- Mayoka
- Mbande
- Mbwili
- Mdoka
- Misheke Phwotwa
- Miyombe
- Mkandapasi Msiska
- Mkolongo
- Mlali
- Mlamba
- Mogha
- Moses Ngosi
- Mpata
- Mphante
- Mphembamoto
- Mphongoro
- Mponda
- Mponela
- Msere
- Msopa
- Muchekacheka Maxwell
- Muchenjere
- Mudoka
- Muhonile
- Mukoma
- Mulale
- Mulindayifwa
- Mung’ombwa
- Musomba
- Mutakizi
- Mutangala
- Mutekera
- Muyereka
- Muzangunya
- Mwabulambo
- Mwafulirwa Mwambelo
- Mwaghuse
- Mwahimba
- Mwaipungu
- Mwaisondole
- Mwakabighiri Village
- Mwakaboko
- Mwakamogho
- Mwakanyamale
- Mwakaromba
- Mwakasangira
- Mwakasungula
- Mwakasyunguti
- Mwakawuyu
- Mwakifwamba
- Mwakimeme
- Mwakisulu
- Mwakyonde
- Mwalughali
- Mwamasapa
- Mwamatandala
- Mwambanya
- Mwambelo
- Mwambetania
- Mwamkiri
- Mwamulima
- Mwamutabale
- Mwandenga
- Mwandosya
- Mwandovi
- Mwandwanga
- Mwangalaba
- Mwanganya
- Mwangasa
- Mwangebo
- Mwangolela
- Mwangolera
- Mwangomba
- Mwangonde
- Mwangulukulu
- Mwangwabila
- Mwangwala
- Mwangwebo
- Mwangwela
- Mwanjasi
- Mwanjawala
- Mwanyesya
- Mwanyongo
- Mwasalono
- Mwatende
- Mwaulambo
- Mwaungulu
- Mwausegha
- Mwawembe
- Mwazolokere
- Mwenebungu
- Mwenefumbo Village
- Mwenekabwe
- Mwenengolongo
- Mwenengubwe
- Mwenenguwe
- Mwenepela
- Mwenetete
- Mwenewawo Village
- Mwenewisi
- Mwenikumbilo
- Mwenilondo
- Mwenilupembe
- Mwenitanga
- Mwenitete
- Mwenitete Village
- Mziwa
- Nakatendo
- Nalupanga
- Namukhangala
- Nchenga
- Nchewere
- Nchowo
- Ndatira
- Ndembwera Mwakabanga
- Ndembwero
- Ndengela
- Ndiwo
- Ngana
- Ngara
- Ngemela
- Ngerenge
- Ngosi
- Ngoto
- Njalayankhunda
- Nkomo Sichali
- Nyondo
- Nyungwe
- Pemba Moto Village
- Phapa
- Ponda
- Robert Mwafulirwa
- Ruasho
- Rupaso Makwale
- Sadala
- Saint Ann’s
- Salima
- Sangilo
- Sifukwe
- Silindu
- Silu
- Simoni Chabinga
- Simoni Mwahoboke
- Simukonda
- Sitwe
- Syalisoni Mwakasangila
- Thawilo
- Thulwe
- Thunduti
- Thuriyakhara
- Tilora
- Timothy Chibwana
- Tom Munthali
- Tuvura
- Uliwa
- Uraha
- Usisya
- Utengule Mwakasungula
- Virauli
- Vokolani
- Vua
- Watondwa
- Wells Mwambelo
- Wililo
- Wovwe
- Wundaninge

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 Karonga District

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

### Water

121 rivers and streams; 1 lake; 1 waterfall.

- Bumba
- Bundi
- Chang’osi
- Chaphwasha
- Charo
- Chezamo
- Chilambilo
- Chimbiriri
- Chipura
- Chisali
- Chisali River
- Chiteka Luwemba
- Chito Stream
- Chiwira
- Chonanga
- Congololo
- Fwila
- Fwila
- Gumi
- Guwu
- Hangalawe
- Hangarawe
- Hara
- Honjera

…and 99 more.

### Coast and islands

2 headlands; 1 lagoon.

- Lion Point
- Mulale Lagoon
- Phowo Point

### Hills and mountains

31 hills; 14 mountains; 1 peak.

- Mpanda Peak · 1,981 m
- Musisi Hill · 1,972 m
- Uikizi · 1,891 m
- Kayuni Hill · 1,759 m
- Namantawa · 1,752 m
- Changaroma Hill · 1,412 m
- Wililo · 1,341 m
- Mugombi · 1,271 m
- Milimbo · 1,245 m
- Thulwe · 1,188 m
- Fwase Hill · 1,146 m
- Pasongolera · 1,099 m
- Virauli · 1,087 m
- Nkomo Sichali · 945 m
- Ulamu Hill · 909 m
- Kilupula · 907 m
- Chipwera · 891 m
- Kapembe · 856 m
- Kapirikaranda · 853 m
- Mparam Hill · 845 m
- Katungela · 832 m
- Mwaraumba · 826 m
- Nabatata · 826 m
- Nyanja · 817 m

…and 22 more.

### Forests and nature

7 forest reserves; 1 forest.

- Chanthasha Forest Reserve
- Chanthulwa Forest Reserve
- Ighembe Forest Reserve
- Karonga South Escarpment Forest Reserve
- Kasimba Forest Reserve
- Musisi Forest Reserve
- Ngara Forest Reserve
- Vinthukutu Forest Reserve

### Getting around

1 airport; 1 bridge.

- Karonga Airport
- Songwe M1 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 Karonga District and the best time to visit

In Karonga District, the warmest month is Nov (average 27 °C) and the coolest is Jul (19 °C). About 1,306 mm of rain falls in a year; the wettest month is Jan (285 mm) and the driest Sep (4 mm). The most comfortable months for a visit are **May to November**.

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

Month Average °C Rain mm 

Jan 24 285 

Feb 24 210 

Mar 23 237 

Apr 22 128 

May 21 31 

Jun 19 13 

Jul 19 9 

Aug 21 7 

Sep 24 4 

Oct 26 26 

Nov 27 92 

Dec 25 265 

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

## Hospitals, banks and other services in Karonga District

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

- Hospitals4
- Banks7
- Petrol pumps6
- Hotels19
- Schools27
- Colleges and universities2
- Restaurants7
- Police stations5
- Dental clinics1

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 Karonga District?In Northern Region, Malawi
- What is the population of Karonga District?405,552 (2023 estimate)
- What is the median age in Karonga District?About 19 years (2023 estimate)
- What is the population density of Karonga District?About 119 people per km²
- What borders Karonga District?Chitipa District and Rumphi District
- How many villages are in Karonga District?284 named settlements (GeoNames, OpenStreetMap)
- What is the elevation of Karonga District?Settlements lie between 480 m and 1,345 m
- What is the highest point in Karonga District?Mpanda Peak (1,981 m, GeoNames elevation model)
- What is the best time to visit Karonga District?May to November
- How many hospitals are in Karonga District?4 mapped
- How many banks are in Karonga District?7 mapped
- How many petrol pumps are in Karonga District?6 mapped
- What is the P-code of Karonga District?MW102 (OCHA common operational dataset)