# Nkhatabay District, Northern Region – Traditional authorities

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

District · Northern Region 

# Nkhatabay District

Nkhatabay District is a district of Malawi in Northern Region. It had an estimated **309,673 people** in 2023 on 4,184 km² (about 74 per km²). Its main town is Nkhata Bay. It is divided into 14 traditional authorities. 259 named villages and localities are recorded here, and 65 mapped services such as hospitals, banks and schools.

- 309,673people (2023)
- 4,184km²
- 14traditional authorities
- 65mapped services

## How many people live in Nkhatabay District?

Nkhatabay District had an estimated **309,673 people** in 2023 — 12.2% of Northern Region, 25th of 32 districts. There are 1,053 women for every 1,000 men (below the Northern Region figure of 1,069). Spread over 4,184 km², that is about **74 people per km²**, 29th of 32 districts.

40.3% of people are children under 15 and 4.2% 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 80 children and older people.

0–4 ****43,669**

5–9 ****39,697**

10–14 ****41,359**

15–19 ****38,240**

20–24 ****30,586**

25–29 ****22,922**

30–34 ****18,915**

35–39 ****15,381**

40–44 ****12,978**

45–49 ****10,942**

50–54 ****9,227**

55–59 ****7,008**

60–64 ****5,738**

65–69 ****4,303**

70–74 ****3,365**

75–79 ****2,381**

80–84 ****1,588**

85–89 ****883**

90–94 ****344**

95+ ****148**

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 Nkhatabay District?

Nkhatabay District lies in [Northern Region](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/), [Malawi](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/). It borders 4 other districts: [Mzimba District](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/mzimba/), [Mzuzu City](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/mzuzu-city/), [Nkhotakota District](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/central/nkhotakota/) and [Rumphi District](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/rumphi/). By area it is the 9th largest of 32 districts in Malawi. It covers 15.4% of [Northern Region](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/). The centre of Nkhatabay District is about 262 km in a straight line from Lilongwe, the capital. It is about 17 km from Mzuzu, the main town of Northern Region. The centre point is at -11.6197° N, 34.0395° 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 Nkhatabay District

Traditional authority Area km² Localities Services 

[Nkhatabay Boma](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/nkhatabay/nkhatabay-boma/) 12 7 33 

[STA Kondowe](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/nkhatabay/sta-kondowe/) 85 6 0 

[STA Nyaluwanga](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/nkhatabay/sta-nyaluwanga/) 209 7 0 

[TA Boghoyo](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/nkhatabay/ta-boghoyo/) 22 2 0 

[TA Fukamalaza](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/nkhatabay/ta-fukamalaza/) 76 18 0 

[TA Fukamapiri](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/nkhatabay/ta-fukamapiri/) 215 18 9 

[TA Kabunduli](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/nkhatabay/ta-kabunduli/) 1,709 48 1 

[TA M'bwana](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/nkhatabay/ta-m-bwana/) 519 22 2 

[TA Malanda](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/nkhatabay/ta-malanda/) 171 25 6 

[TA Malenga Mzoma](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/nkhatabay/ta-malenga-mzoma/) 42 15 3 

[TA Mankhambira](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/nkhatabay/ta-mankhambira/) 97 36 0 

[TA Mkumbira](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/nkhatabay/ta-mkumbira/) 54 10 6 

[TA Timbiri](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/nkhatabay/ta-timbiri/) 492 34 5 

[TA Zilakoma](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/nkhatabay/ta-zilakoma/) 480 17 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 Nkhatabay District

Open gazetteers list **259 villages, towns and localities** in Nkhatabay District. The largest with a recorded population: Nkhata Bay (16,099). Settlements here lie between about 472 m and 1,755 m above sea level (median 556 m).

- Amoni
- Bandawe
- Belekia
- Butari
- Bwanthuwa
- Bwelero
- Bweteka
- Bwikito
- Chadagha
- Chagowo
- Chakupompha
- Chamawoya
- Chankhamatete
- Chapumbwa
- Chatupa
- Chavukuka
- Chavura
- Chenyentha
- Chibaka
- Chibako
- Chibara
- Chibere
- Chidero
- Chideru
- Chifya
- Chighachang’ombe
- Chigwere
- Chihami
- Chijere
- Chikampha
- Chikhokho
- Chikondawanga
- Chikuni
- Chikuwangoma
- Chikwina
- Chileka
- Chilerawana
- Chimbano
- Chimgonda
- Chindevu
- Chindozwa
- Chingaliwa
- Ching’anya
- Ching’oma
- Chinkhowoli
- Chinkhwazara
- Chinkoole
- Chintheche
- Chinthomba
- Chinyakula
- Chipaika
- Chipapa
- Chipayika
- Chipeka
- Chipenyenye
- Chiphazi
- Chipimbininga
- Chipwaila
- Chisi Point
- Chisindi
- Chiswamphila
- Chitete
- Chitika
- Chivina
- Chivuta
- Chivuti
- Chiweta
- Chiweyo
- Chiwoko
- Chiwundasi
- Chizumba
- Chizuwo
- Chombe
- Dambaliuzi
- Demba Thuli
- Dewe
- Dimaku
- Dindano
- Dungwa Nthanga
- Duwulani
- Fukamalaza
- Fukamapiri
- Fumbawowa
- Fwayafwaya
- Gondoli
- Goneka
- Gong’ontha
- Gulawe
- Gulu
- Gulugulu
- Hanambo
- Jaliyanthazi
- Jappie
- Jiriki
- John Chima
- Jumbo
- Kabila
- Kabunduli
- Kachenga
- Kachere
- Kachipapa
- Kajizingi
- Kajula
- Kajulamonjo
- Kalinyanyi
- Kalumpha
- Kalungulu
- Kambawi
- Kamisa
- Kamoza
- Kamuninga
- Kamwade
- Kamwanjiwa
- Kanaujaha
- Kande
- Kandezu
- Kandulu
- Kango
- Kang’oma
- Kanyanda
- Kanyoli
- Kapalapata
- Kapeska
- Karonga
- Karonga Longwe
- Kasambe
- Kasingu
- Kasweswe
- Katema
- Katungo
- Katuwa
- Kaulambwe
- Kavuzi Trading Center
- Kawalazi
- Kawiya
- Kayuni
- Kazando
- Khazi
- Khonje
- Khoza
- Khoza Lisale
- Konda Mzimu
- Limphasa
- Lions Cave
- Lisale
- Londo
- Longwe
- Lonya
- Luka Mtambwa
- Lukalazi
- Lukhanda
- Lumphombo
- Luwazi
- Lwafa
- Lwambaza
- Maganga
- Magonera
- Mahau
- Majikapotwe
- Makhumba
- Malanda
- Malemba
- Malenga Mzoma
- Malenga Sanga
- Malepa
- Mangwina
- Mankhambira
- Maula
- Mauluka
- Mazamba
- Mbamba
- Mbaya
- Mbosa
- Mbowe
- Mbwawa
- Mchenga
- Mdoyi
- Mdyaka
- Mijumiju
- Mkondowe
- Mkwaya
- Mlenda
- Mlenga Senga
- Mpamba
- Mphimbi
- Mphoza
- Msonga
- Msumba
- Msundu
- Mtambalika
- Mtambo
- Mtambwa
- Mtawali
- Mteperera
- Muchindwe
- Muchingalombo
- Mudando
- Mugodi
- Mukuwonda
- Mulonda
- Mundiyeghe
- Mundola
- Mungoyi
- Mung’ona
- Muoka
- Murwa
- Mutchaya
- Muteperera
- Mwambazi
- Mweza
- Mzenga
- Ndawambe
- Ngalauka
- Ngombo
- Ngorozera
- Njuwa
- Nkhata Bay
- Nkholero
- Nkhungulu
- Nkhuto
- Nkhwali
- Nkuli
- Nthulinga
- Nthungwa
- Peter Kaimika
- Phaso
- Phetera
- Pundu
- Ruarwe
- Salawe
- Sanga
- Simon Ganyavu
- Singo
- Siyalimba
- Tawina Village
- Tembwe
- Thowolo
- Thula
- Thuli
- Thundeni
- Tibomani
- Timbiri
- Tukombo
- Tunduma
- Tungali
- Usisya
- Vepe
- Vilimumu
- Vimaso
- Vivya
- Vizuzu
- Wachaza
- Wazankhu
- Wilson
- Yadinga
- Zayuka
- Zilakoma
- Zowani
- Zumwanda

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 Nkhatabay District

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

### Water

122 rivers and streams; 1 lake.

- Bala
- Banga
- Chamatete
- Chapakasa
- Chauteka
- Chibara
- Chibara
- Chigwiti
- Chikangawa
- Chikuyu River
- Chikwina
- Chilingombe
- Chilinguza
- Chilopa
- Chimbele
- Chimphuzi
- Chintheche
- Chipambo
- Chipilizga
- Chitheka
- Chiwisi River
- Chizgimba
- Chizimweni
- Chiziwa River

…and 99 more.

### Coast and islands

8 headlands; 1 bay.

- Cape Manulo
- Chirwi Point
- Chisi Point
- Kalikale Point
- Mkukuti Point
- Msuli Point
- Nkhata Bay
- Nkhoso Point
- Sanga Point

### Hills and mountains

23 hills; 15 mountains; 2 peaks.

- Chimaliro Hill · 1,969 m
- Mpamphala · 1,936 m
- Kawandama · 1,935 m
- Nthungwa · 1,917 m
- Nkhalapya · 1,887 m
- Sanani Hill · 1,850 m
- Zikwimba · 1,793 m
- Mount Choma · 1,787 m
- Kasumba Hill · 1,740 m
- Chinungu · 1,721 m
- Chowoli Hill · 1,703 m
- Phuzi · 1,691 m
- Lukungwa · 1,664 m
- Mtoghama Hill · 1,605 m
- Mazamba · 1,509 m
- Manyelenyeza · 1,499 m
- Chowoli · 1,490 m
- Chilembwe · 1,451 m
- Bwana Mkumbwa Hill · 1,376 m
- Phazi Hill · 1,367 m
- Nthwezulu · 1,366 m
- Muwimbi · 1,242 m
- Nkokwe Hill · 951 m
- Muwewa · 936 m

…and 16 more.

### Forests and nature

9 forest reserves.

- Chisasira Forest Reserve
- Kalwe Forest Reserve
- Kaningina Forest Reserve
- Kawiya Forest Reserve
- Lwafwa Forest Reserve
- Mkuwazi Forest Reserve
- Mukwazi Forest Reserve
- Ruvuo Forest Reserve
- South Viphya Forest Reserve

### Estates

5 estates; 2 tea estates; 1 rubber estate.

- Chombe Tea Estate
- Kamwanjiwa Estate
- Kawalazi Estate
- Kawiya Tea Estate
- Mazamba Estate
- Mbowe Estate
- Smallholders’ Tea Authority
- Vizara Rubber Plantation

### Getting around

1 bridge.

- Kalwe 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 Nkhatabay District and the best time to visit

In Nkhatabay District, the warmest month is Nov (average 23 °C) and the coolest is Jul (15 °C). About 1,251 mm of rain falls in a year; the wettest month is Jan (284 mm) and the driest Aug (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 21 284 

Feb 21 228 

Mar 20 219 

Apr 19 124 

May 17 24 

Jun 16 11 

Jul 15 8 

Aug 17 4 

Sep 20 5 

Oct 23 21 

Nov 23 88 

Dec 22 235 

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

## Hospitals, banks and other services in Nkhatabay District

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

- Hospitals5
- Banks2
- Petrol pumps5
- Hotels23
- Schools14
- Restaurants14
- Police stations2

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 Nkhatabay District?In Northern Region, Malawi
- What is the population of Nkhatabay District?309,673 (2023 estimate)
- What is the median age in Nkhatabay District?About 19 years (2023 estimate)
- What is the population density of Nkhatabay District?About 74 people per km²
- What borders Nkhatabay District?Mzimba District, Mzuzu City, Nkhotakota District and Rumphi District
- How many villages are in Nkhatabay District?259 named settlements (GeoNames, OpenStreetMap)
- What is the elevation of Nkhatabay District?Settlements lie between 472 m and 1,755 m
- What is the highest point in Nkhatabay District?Chimaliro Hill (1,969 m, GeoNames elevation model)
- What is the best time to visit Nkhatabay District?May to November
- How many hospitals are in Nkhatabay District?5 mapped
- How many banks are in Nkhatabay District?2 mapped
- How many petrol pumps are in Nkhatabay District?5 mapped
- What is the P-code of Nkhatabay District?MW103 (OCHA common operational dataset)