# Rumphi District, Northern Region – Traditional authorities

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

District · Northern Region 

# Rumphi District

Rumphi District is a district of Malawi in Northern Region. It had an estimated **254,134 people** in 2023 on 4,560 km² (about 56 per km²). Its main town is Rumphi. It is divided into 14 traditional authorities. 310 named villages and localities are recorded here, and 56 mapped services such as hospitals, banks and schools.

- 254,134people (2023)
- 4,560km²
- 14traditional authorities
- 56mapped services

## How many people live in Rumphi District?

Rumphi District had an estimated **254,134 people** in 2023 — 10.0% of Northern Region, 28th of 32 districts. There are 1,051 women for every 1,000 men (below the Northern Region figure of 1,069). Spread over 4,560 km², that is about **56 people per km²**, 31st of 32 districts.

40.2% of people are children under 15 and 3.7% 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 78 children and older people.

0–4 ****36,188**

5–9 ****33,202**

10–14 ****32,815**

15–19 ****29,399**

20–24 ****24,475**

25–29 ****19,981**

30–34 ****16,768**

35–39 ****13,876**

40–44 ****11,260**

45–49 ****9,469**

50–54 ****7,275**

55–59 ****5,649**

60–64 ****4,383**

65–69 ****3,175**

70–74 ****2,526**

75–79 ****1,660**

80–84 ****1,119**

85–89 ****549**

90–94 ****284**

95+ ****85**

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 Rumphi District?

Rumphi District lies in [Northern Region](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/), [Malawi](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/). It borders 4 other districts: [Chitipa District](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/chitipa/), [Karonga District](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/karonga/), [Mzimba District](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/mzimba/) and [Nkhatabay District](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/nkhatabay/). By area it is the 6th largest of 32 districts in Malawi. It covers 16.8% of [Northern Region](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/). The centre of Rumphi District is about 352 km in a straight line from Lilongwe, the capital. It is about 76 km from Mzuzu, the main town of Northern Region. The centre point is at -10.8054° N, 33.8381° 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 Rumphi District

Traditional authority Area km² Localities Services 

[Nyika National Park](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/rumphi/nyika-national-park/) 1,779 5 1 

[Rumphi Boma](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/rumphi/rumphi-boma/) 11 4 25 

[STA Chapinduka](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/rumphi/sta-chapinduka/) 107 13 0 

[STA Chisovya](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/rumphi/sta-chisovya/) 85 11 1 

[STA Kachulu](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/rumphi/sta-kachulu/) 132 23 0 

[STA Njikula](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/rumphi/sta-njikula/) 43 4 2 

[STA Zolokere](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/rumphi/sta-zolokere/) 70 11 0 

[TA Chikulamayembe](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/rumphi/ta-chikulamayembe/) 678 82 6 

[TA Katumbi](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/rumphi/ta-katumbi/) 110 24 1 

[TA Mwahenga](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/rumphi/ta-mwahenga/) 138 29 2 

[TA Mwalweni](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/rumphi/ta-mwalweni/) 259 44 17 

[TA Mwamlowe](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/rumphi/ta-mwamlowe/) 118 23 0 

[TA Mwankhunikira](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/rumphi/ta-mwankhunikira/) 422 39 0 

[Vwaza Marsh Reserve](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/rumphi/vwaza-marsh-reserve/) 577 1 1 

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 Rumphi District

Open gazetteers list **310 villages, towns and localities** in Rumphi District. The largest with a recorded population: Rumphi (25,216), Livingstonia (5,552) and Chikupizga Village (50). Settlements here lie between about 480 m and 2,294 m above sea level (median 1,106 m).

- Akoyo
- Baghaya
- Baghaya Mhango
- Bale
- Bamantha
- Bandawe
- Bembe
- Bolero
- Bombo
- Bongololo
- Bulawala Mkandawire
- Bumba
- Bunga
- Bwati
- Bwati Gondwe
- Chakaka
- Chakoma
- Chamahomwa Nyirenda
- Chamala
- Chamatete
- Chamumonu Gondwe
- Chankauta Munthali
- Chankhalamu
- Chataghara Munthari
- Chatumbwa Khunga
- Chautala Msiska
- Chawayi
- Chelinda
- Cheyeka Gondwe
- Chibinga
- Chibingo Chisango
- Chibo Mkandawire
- Chidiwo Msiska
- Chiguliro Harawa
- Chigwere
- Chijere Nundwe
- Chikalamba
- Chikanga
- Chikazinga
- Chikompora Mbale
- Chikulamasinda
- Chikunguweya
- Chikupizga Village
- Chikuzga Harawa
- Chikwawa
- Chilambiro
- Chiling’oma Munthali
- Chilongozi
- Chilufya Nundwe
- Chilulu
- Chilundanya
- Chimalawanthu Nyirenda
- Chimbabvi
- Chimphamba Kaluwa
- Chimuduzi
- Chimusi Mhango
- Chineo Nyirongo
- Ching’anya
- Chinijoka Mkandawire
- Chinkhuta
- Chinkhuwiri
- Chinyolo
- Chipofya Nundwe
- Chirambo Mzoda
- Chisavya
- Chisimuka
- Chisinde
- Chisokono Vinkhumbu
- Chisokowo
- Chitanga
- Chitango
- Chitembwe
- Chitepwete Mtawali
- Chitimba
- Chitungulu Zunda
- Chiunjika
- Chiverekete Mkamanga
- Chivungulu
- Chivwenene Msowoya
- Chiwaya
- Chiwelewele Msiska
- Chiwerewere
- Chiweta
- Chiziwachaphwa
- Chozoli
- Dick Chisenga
- Dimba Mhango
- Dukuduku
- Efron Chinula
- Fwira Msyali
- Galang’anda
- Gogoti
- Gondwe Kadyungu
- Hananiya Msiska
- Hora Mhango
- Jalawe
- Janakazi
- Janda Ng’ombe
- Jeka Chipofya
- Jembe
- Jentha Jembe
- Jowe
- Jowe Ngwira
- Jumbo Thindwa
- Junju
- Kabenu
- Kabulufu
- Kadaluma
- Kadalume
- Kaduku
- Kafukwe
- Kahurwa
- Kaiwale
- Kakusa Mkandawire
- Kalibwe
- Kalonde
- Kamkusa Msiska
- Kamphenda
- Kamphone Nyasulu
- Kamphuzunga
- Kamunoli Chavula
- Kamutu Msyali
- Kamuvwikamo Munthali
- Kam’mehe
- Kanakulera Mkandawire
- Kango Nyirongo
- Kang’oma Mkandawire
- Kanjululu
- Kanyenda Bondo
- Kanyenda Masanja
- Kanyerere
- Kanyuka
- Kanyunya Gondwe
- Kapalala Khunga
- Kapunga Mabuka Khonje
- Kasalika
- Kasinda
- Katawa
- Katawa Msowoya
- Katowo
- Katowoka
- Katumbi
- Kawili Msowoya
- Kayoboyelo Mkandawire
- Kayora
- Kaziwiziwi
- Kaŵazamawe
- Khalapamuhanya
- Kholoma Msonda
- Khondowe
- Khunilamung’wina
- Khutamaji Kachali
- Khwati Hawire
- Kobyo
- Livingstonia
- Lukali
- Lulalwe
- Lularwe
- Lura
- Luviri
- Luwagha
- Luwinga
- Luwuchi
- Luŵagha
- Lweni
- Makula Nundwe
- Makuni Gondwe
- Makupula Chirambo
- Malipa Msowoya
- Manombo Mhango
- Mapesi
- Masanika Mkandawire
- Matembeza Mkandawire
- Matupi Mkandawire
- Mazinga
- Mbiriyawaka Munthari
- Mbiwi Chavula
- Mbulunji
- Mbuza Munthali
- Mchenga
- Mchinanguwo
- Mchinanguŵo
- Mgarama
- Mgungu Nundwe
- Mikule
- Mjuma
- Mjuma Gondwe
- Mkandawire Mulunda
- Mkhalira Mhango
- Mkombezi
- Mkondowe Mzembe
- Mkupa Gondwe
- Mlangali
- Mlondoma
- Mlongoti
- Mlowe
- Mojowa
- Monga
- Moses Mwambubilira
- Mowa
- Mphendekucha
- Mphinamwase
- Mphompha
- Mphora
- Mporo
- Msowoya
- Msuka Mhango
- Msuku
- Mtalama Harawa
- Mtanira
- Mteweta
- Mtombolwa Msiska
- Mtombolwa Ziyadina
- Mudango Mhango
- Mugwera
- Muhuju
- Mumbo
- Munganya
- Munyanyala Mhango
- Munyonga Mhango
- Munyongo
- Muyawa Gondwe
- Mvyapi
- Mwabuwila
- Mwachanda
- Mwachifikiramo Msowoya
- Mwachifumia Mhango
- Mwachikwezga Mbale
- Mwachipoka
- Mwachirwa
- Mwachisote Kaluwa
- Mwachiwanda
- Mwachiweta Mhango
- Mwachizindili
- Mwadandambi
- Mwahangula
- Mwahenga
- Mwamlowe
- Mwang’onga
- Mwanjakwa Mfuni
- Mwankunikira
- Mwanthunga
- Mwasizi
- Mwasukwa Chisiza
- Mwathamantha
- Mwazisi
- Mwazulanga Kachali
- Mwembe
- Mwembe Msiska
- Mweyeye
- Myeleka Nyirenda
- Mzokoto
- Nashion Chimimbe
- Nchenachena
- Ng’onga
- Nkhalikali Mzumara
- Nkharamuntheta Harawa
- Nkhonjera
- Nkhozo
- Nkombezi
- Nkombezi TC
- Nkope
- Ntenje
- Nthaŵataŵa
- Ntholome Kaluwa
- Nthumbatumba
- Nyaleza
- Nyirenda
- Peter Madhlepa
- Phetembe
- Phoka
- Phwangwa
- Phwezi
- Phyolamzimbe
- Ruhono
- Rukuru Point
- Rumphi
- Salawe
- Saulos Mhango
- Selewa Mtawali
- Sidila Munthali
- Simwamba Kaluwa
- Tcharo
- Thanila
- Thawali Msiska
- Thawata Mhango
- Thazima
- Thekero
- Thomasi Kaviwangwa Msiska
- Thunda
- Thurwe
- Tigone Munthali
- Visachi Mzumara
- Vitanda Chihana
- Vitendwe Gondwe
- Walowoka
- Wow
- Yambanda
- Yauluma Mnkhuwa
- Yaulungu Mhango
- Yesake Kambotoli Harawa
- Zebedia Mwaphoka Mbale
- Zilinga Mkandawire
- Zimakazi Mkandawire
- Zolokere
- Zowo
- Zumbwe Khondowe
- Zunga
- Zung’uza
- mwazisi

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 Rumphi District

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

### Water

129 rivers and streams; 2 waterfalls; 1 lake.

- Bindi
- Bogolo
- Bula
- Bungulo
- Chakupimba
- Chamatete
- Chamawe
- Checheche
- Chimbwi
- Chinyanga
- Chipumba
- Chipunga
- Chisasa
- Chisimuka
- Chisuni
- Chivungulu
- Chiweta
- Chiwiramera
- Chiyokha Stream
- Chizindiri
- Chololo
- Dembo
- Fufu Falls
- Iai

…and 108 more.

### Coast and islands

1 headland.

- Rukuru Point

### Hills and mountains

37 mountains; 31 hills; 1 peak; 1 valley.

- Ndembera · 2,522 m
- Vitumbi · 2,521 m
- Mwenembwe · 2,494 m
- Mpopoti · 2,485 m
- Nthakati · 2,478 m
- Chejara · 2,422 m
- Chelinda · 2,422 m
- Khowa · 2,419 m
- Masengowe Hill · 2,406 m
- Kalabwe · 2,398 m
- Milanji · 2,393 m
- Chosi · 2,379 m
- Kasaramba Hill · 2,364 m
- Nguyi Ya Msaka · 2,349 m
- Nchenachena Hill · 2,319 m
- Kapirizungu · 2,314 m
- Makunguluwe · 2,314 m
- Sangule · 2,288 m
- Chisavya · 2,262 m
- Bangwa · 2,224 m
- Bangwa Hill · 2,224 m
- Kalambwe · 2,212 m
- Nyambwani · 2,193 m
- Nkhonjela · 2,192 m

…and 46 more.

### Forests and nature

3 forest reserves; 2 wildlife reserves; 1 park.

- Chombe Proposed Forest Reserve
- Nyika Juniper Forest Reserve
- Nyika National Park
- Uzumara Forest Reserve
- Vwaza Marsh Game Reserve
- Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve

### Estates

7 estates.

- Heŵe Estate
- Kapombe Estate
- Mfuni Estate
- Mwang’onga Estate
- Nkhawere Estate
- Nkhawere Estate
- Thurwe Estate

### Getting around

1 airport; 1 bridge.

- Chelinda Airport
- South Rukuru 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 Rumphi District and the best time to visit

In Rumphi District, the warmest month is Nov (average 24 °C) and the coolest is Jul (15 °C). About 1,275 mm of rain falls in a year; the wettest month is Jan (279 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 21 279 

Feb 21 220 

Mar 20 228 

Apr 19 135 

May 17 27 

Jun 15 12 

Jul 15 9 

Aug 17 4 

Sep 20 5 

Oct 23 23 

Nov 24 88 

Dec 22 245 

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

## Hospitals, banks and other services in Rumphi District

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

- Hospitals5
- Banks6
- ATMs4
- Petrol pumps3
- Hotels9
- Schools16
- Colleges and universities6
- Restaurants4
- Police stations3

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 Rumphi District?In Northern Region, Malawi
- What is the population of Rumphi District?254,134 (2023 estimate)
- What is the median age in Rumphi District?About 19 years (2023 estimate)
- What is the population density of Rumphi District?About 56 people per km²
- What borders Rumphi District?Chitipa District, Karonga District, Mzimba District and Nkhatabay District
- How many villages are in Rumphi District?310 named settlements (GeoNames, OpenStreetMap)
- What is the elevation of Rumphi District?Settlements lie between 480 m and 2,294 m
- What is the highest point in Rumphi District?Ndembera (2,522 m, GeoNames elevation model)
- What is the best time to visit Rumphi District?May to November
- How many hospitals are in Rumphi District?5 mapped
- How many banks are in Rumphi District?6 mapped
- How many ATMs are in Rumphi District?4 mapped
- How many petrol pumps are in Rumphi District?3 mapped
- What is the P-code of Rumphi District?MW104 (OCHA common operational dataset)