# Machinga District, Southern Region – Traditional authorities

> Source: https://wherepedia.org/malawi/southern/machinga/

District · Southern Region 

# Machinga District

Machinga District is a district of Malawi in Southern Region. It had an estimated **874,337 people** in 2023 on 2,902 km² (about 301 per km²). Its main town is Machinga. It is divided into 19 traditional authorities. 263 named villages and localities are recorded here, and 36 mapped services such as hospitals, banks and schools.

- 874,337people (2023)
- 2,902km²
- 19traditional authorities
- 36mapped services

## How many people live in Machinga District?

Machinga District had an estimated **874,337 people** in 2023 — 10.0% of Southern Region, 8th of 32 districts. There are 1,100 women for every 1,000 men (above the Southern Region figure of 1,080). Spread over 2,902 km², that is about **301 people per km²**, 11th of 32 districts.

46.9% of people are children under 15 and 3.6% are 65 or older; the median age is about 16 years (it is 18 across Southern Region). For every 100 people of working age (15–64) there are 102 children and older people.

0–4 ****158,348**

5–9 ****140,211**

10–14 ****111,077**

15–19 ****94,771**

20–24 ****75,955**

25–29 ****63,737**

30–34 ****50,862**

35–39 ****40,046**

40–44 ****31,433**

45–49 ****27,693**

50–54 ****20,395**

55–59 ****16,288**

60–64 ****12,233**

65–69 ****10,379**

70–74 ****7,672**

75–79 ****6,240**

80–84 ****3,724**

85–89 ****2,171**

90–94 ****829**

95+ ****272**

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 Machinga District?

Machinga District lies in [Southern Region](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/southern/), [Malawi](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/). It borders 3 other districts: [Balaka District](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/southern/balaka/), [Mangochi District](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/southern/mangochi/) and [Zomba District](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/southern/zomba/). By area it is the 15th largest of 32 districts in Malawi. It covers 9.5% of [Southern Region](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/southern/). The centre of Machinga District is about 214 km in a straight line from Lilongwe, the capital. It is about 112 km from Blantyre, the main town of Southern Region. The centre point is at -14.9082° N, 35.5180° 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 Machinga District

Traditional authority Area km² Localities Services 

[Liwonde National Park](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/southern/machinga/liwonde-national-park/) 395 7 2 

[Liwonde Town](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/southern/machinga/liwonde-town/) 28 1 22 

[Machinga Boma](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/southern/machinga/machinga-boma/) 2.4 1 1 

[STA Chesale](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/southern/machinga/sta-chesale/) 110 8 0 

[STA Nchinguza](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/southern/machinga/sta-nchinguza/) 83 18 0 

[STA Nsanama](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/southern/machinga/sta-nsanama/) 151 3 0 

[TA Chamba](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/southern/machinga/ta-chamba/) 113 4 0 

[TA Chikweo](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/southern/machinga/ta-chikweo/) 266 39 1 

[TA Chiwalo](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/southern/machinga/ta-chiwalo/) 40 4 0 

[TA Kapoloma](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/southern/machinga/ta-kapoloma/) 30 6 0 

[TA Kawinga](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/southern/machinga/ta-kawinga/) 228 35 2 

[TA Liwonde](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/southern/machinga/ta-liwonde/) 300 29 1 

[TA Mlomba](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/southern/machinga/ta-mlomba/) 163 20 0 

[TA Mposa](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/southern/machinga/ta-mposa/) 116 10 0 

[TA Ngokwe](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/southern/machinga/ta-ngokwe/) 151 27 0 

[TA Nkoola](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/southern/machinga/ta-nkoola/) 159 19 2 

[TA Nkula](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/southern/machinga/ta-nkula/) 117 4 2 

[TA Nyambi](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/southern/machinga/ta-nyambi/) 240 34 0 

[TA Sitola](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/southern/machinga/ta-sitola/) 206 7 3 

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 Machinga District

Open gazetteers list **263 villages, towns and localities** in Machinga District. The largest with a recorded population: Liwonde (41,077) and Machinga (1,418). Settlements here lie between about 477 m and 1,177 m above sea level (median 662 m).

- Bakhili
- Balaka
- Bamba
- Bonja
- Chabwela
- Chakhame
- Chamba
- Chaniungu
- Chapola
- Chengenje
- Chibwana
- Chibwana-1
- Chibwana-2
- Chidothe
- Chikala
- Chikojo
- Chikuluma
- Chikumba
- Chikuse
- Chikuwita
- Chikweo
- Chikwewo
- Chilala
- Chilemba
- Chilolo
- Chimala
- Chimanda
- Chimbila
- Chimbwanya
- Chimombo
- Chindamba
- Chinguwo
- Chinguza
- Ching’oma
- Chipanda
- Chipolonga
- Chisawa
- Chisiza
- Chisuse
- Chisuwi
- Chitenjere
- Chithumba
- Chitundu
- Chiuja
- Chiuta
- Chiwalo
- Chiwambo
- Cilala
- Dinje
- Ekhama
- Halala
- Idi
- Issa
- Jambo
- Jokho
- Juma
- Kakutu
- Kalambo
- Kalenga
- Kamala
- Kananjo
- Kapoloma
- Kasupe
- Katolokoso
- Kaugule
- Kawa
- Kawelama
- Kawerama
- Kawinga
- Khuzumba
- Kokoti
- Kolopa
- Kungwa
- Kuntewa
- Lambulila
- Likhonyowa
- Lilomba
- Lingoni
- Liwonde
- Lulanga
- Macece
- Maceka
- Macepa
- Machilinga
- Machina
- Machinga
- Macilinga
- Magwila
- Mahata
- Majaja
- Makaluka
- Makata
- Makoka
- Makome
- Makwakwa
- Makwemba
- Malango
- Maleta
- Maluma
- Malunwani
- Malupi
- Mangamba
- Maniwa
- Maniya
- Mapata
- Mapila
- Masaka
- Masese
- Mataka
- Maunda
- Maweha
- Mawekha
- Mayese
- Mbalame
- Mbalwe
- Mbawa
- Mbwezo
- Mchema
- Meitia
- Mijombo
- Mikoju
- Mikoko
- Milaza
- Milimbo
- Misi
- Misikisi
- Mitenyende
- Mkula
- Mkwepele
- Mkwepeta
- Mkweya
- Mliwo
- Mlomba
- Mmeta
- Mongora
- Moro
- Mowere
- Mpakaka
- Mpalume
- Mpeta
- Mpheta
- Mphonde
- Mpira
- Mponda
- Mposa
- Mpotola
- Mpumbe
- Mpunga
- Msalabani
- Msole
- Msope
- Mtalika
- Mteuka
- Mthiniwa
- Mtonda
- Mtum
- Mtundu
- Mtupa
- Muepetha
- Muhara
- Muhatele
- Mula
- Mundi
- Muwawa
- Mwala
- Mwalija
- Mwambala
- Mwanje
- Mwegama
- Mwenie
- Mweny
- Mwenye
- Mwila
- Mwili
- Mwinjilani
- Mwitiya
- N`gije
- Nakaka
- Namanja
- Namikango
- Nampeya
- Namuku
- Namwini
- Nanganga
- Nantwe
- Naphome
- Naphuthu
- Nayuchi
- Nayuci
- Nchelela
- Ncimbo
- Ncokola
- Ndamba
- Ndambala
- Ndenda
- Nepiyala
- Ngokwe
- Ngomano
- Ngongondo
- Niambi
- Nianyika
- Njamba
- Nkaku
- Nkalama
- Nkapa
- Nkhokwe
- Nkisa
- Nkoko
- Nkolokosa
- Nkotama
- Nkwanda
- Nkwepela
- Nkwila
- Nlaluwele
- Nlamba
- Nlambalala
- Nlawa
- Nlungu
- Nluwila
- Nsanama
- Nsanyila
- Nselema
- Nsonde
- Nsume
- Ntaja
- Ntali
- Ntanja
- Ntila
- Ntolowa
- Ntungwi
- Nyambi
- Nyandule
- Nyangatayani
- Nyanje
- Nyanya
- Nyanyika
- Nyenga
- Nyenje
- Phwiti
- Pingo
- Pitiya
- Pondelani
- Puruma
- Puteya
- Saidi
- Saleya
- Samu
- Sangula
- Sani
- Sawanje
- Siwala
- Sombo
- Sonje
- Sulumba
- Tanthauko
- Thawale
- Thomo
- Umpuanela
- Unango
- Wataka
- Wethiwa
- Wilson
- Zilale

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 Machinga District

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

### Water

65 rivers and streams.

- Bilila
- Canyungu Stream
- Chigombe
- Chigumukire
- Chigwandembo
- Cilowa Stream
- Cisani
- Citwiche Stream
- Ciunda Stream
- Kajombocela Stream
- Kakunguntha Stream
- Kalambasuta Stream
- Kambewe
- Kambewe Stream
- Kanjedza Stream
- Kanjuli
- Kaombe Stream
- Kongomwa Stream
- Lifune River
- Likwenu River
- Lingoni River
- Madzianjuci Stream
- Makogolo Stream
- Malembanji

…and 41 more.

### Hills and mountains

23 hills; 17 mountains.

- Chikala Hill · 1,570 m
- Chinduzi Hill · 1,207 m
- Chaoni Hill · 1,178 m
- Mkopo Hill · 1,073 m
- Unango Hill · 1,037 m
- Nsili Hill · 979 m
- Sonje Hill · 975 m
- Mbatamila Hill · 929 m
- Nasuwi Hill · 912 m
- Namikwela Hill · 904 m
- Cimomwe Hill · 898 m
- Lisale · 889 m
- Namasakala Hill · 880 m
- Cigweje Hill · 878 m
- Kawiliwita Hill · 870 m
- Chiunguni · 866 m
- Namatunu Hill · 857 m
- Ciunda Hill · 850 m
- Kanaunami Hill · 841 m
- Makulukulu Hill · 835 m
- Mangombo Hill · 800 m
- Nsakuru Hill · 792 m
- Cinamile Hill · 788 m
- Ngusi Hill · 775 m

…and 16 more.

### Forests and nature

1 forest reserve; 1 nature reserve.

- Liwonde Forest Reserve
- Liwonde National Park

### Estates

2 estates.

- Mirala
- Mpelesi

### Getting around

1 airport; 1 airfield.

- Chinguni
- Liwonde Mvuu Camp Airport

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 Machinga District and the best time to visit

In Machinga District, the warmest month is Nov (average 28 °C) and the coolest is Jul (19 °C). About 1,099 mm of rain falls in a year; the wettest month is Jan (330 mm) and the driest Sep (5 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 24 330 

Feb 24 216 

Mar 24 165 

Apr 22 45 

May 21 10 

Jun 19 6 

Jul 19 11 

Aug 21 7 

Sep 25 5 

Oct 27 15 

Nov 28 71 

Dec 26 220 

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

## Hospitals, banks and other services in Machinga District

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

- Hospitals5
- Banks3
- Petrol pumps2
- Hotels13
- Schools6
- Colleges and universities1
- Restaurants3
- 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 Machinga District?In Southern Region, Malawi
- What is the population of Machinga District?874,337 (2023 estimate)
- What is the median age in Machinga District?About 16 years (2023 estimate)
- What is the population density of Machinga District?About 301 people per km²
- What borders Machinga District?Balaka District, Mangochi District and Zomba District
- How many villages are in Machinga District?263 named settlements (GeoNames, OpenStreetMap)
- What is the elevation of Machinga District?Settlements lie between 477 m and 1,177 m
- What is the highest point in Machinga District?Chikala Hill (1,570 m, GeoNames elevation model)
- What is the best time to visit Machinga District?April to November
- How many hospitals are in Machinga District?5 mapped
- How many banks are in Machinga District?3 mapped
- How many petrol pumps are in Machinga District?2 mapped
- What is the P-code of Machinga District?MW302 (OCHA common operational dataset)