# Phalombe District, Southern Region – Traditional authorities

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

District · Southern Region 

# Phalombe District

Phalombe District is a district of Malawi in Southern Region. It had an estimated **490,345 people** in 2023 on 1,244 km² (about 394 per km²). Its main town is Phalombe. It is divided into 7 traditional authorities. 152 named villages and localities are recorded here, and 18 mapped services such as hospitals, banks and schools.

- 490,345people (2023)
- 1,244km²
- 7traditional authorities
- 18mapped services

## How many people live in Phalombe District?

Phalombe District had an estimated **490,345 people** in 2023 — 5.6% of Southern Region, 19th of 32 districts. There are 1,058 women for every 1,000 men (below the Southern Region figure of 1,080). Spread over 1,244 km², that is about **394 people per km²**, 9th of 32 districts.

44.2% of people are children under 15 and 3.8% are 65 or older; the median age is about 18 years (it is 18 across Southern Region). For every 100 people of working age (15–64) there are 92 children and older people.

0–4 ****78,217**

5–9 ****74,015**

10–14 ****64,627**

15–19 ****55,641**

20–24 ****44,470**

25–29 ****36,256**

30–34 ****31,811**

35–39 ****24,142**

40–44 ****19,413**

45–49 ****15,030**

50–54 ****11,945**

55–59 ****9,211**

60–64 ****7,115**

65–69 ****6,332**

70–74 ****4,510**

75–79 ****3,556**

80–84 ****2,157**

85–89 ****1,221**

90–94 ****537**

95+ ****135**

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 Phalombe District?

Phalombe District lies in [Southern Region](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/southern/), [Malawi](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/). It borders 2 other districts: [Mulanje District](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/southern/mulanje/) and [Zomba District](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/southern/zomba/). By area it is the 25th largest of 32 districts in Malawi. It covers 4.1% of [Southern Region](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/southern/). The centre of Phalombe District is about 280 km in a straight line from Lilongwe, the capital. It is about 72 km from Blantyre, the main town of Southern Region. The centre point is at -15.6998° N, 35.6715° 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 Phalombe District

Traditional authority Area km² Localities Services 

[Phalombe Boma](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/southern/phalombe/phalombe-boma/) 3.4 1 2 

[TA Chiwalo](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/southern/phalombe/ta-chiwalo/) 146 7 1 

[TA Jenala](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/southern/phalombe/ta-jenala/) 289 4 1 

[TA Kaduya](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/southern/phalombe/ta-kaduya/) 216 4 5 

[TA Mkhumba](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/southern/phalombe/ta-mkhumba/) 307 13 2 

[TA Nazombe](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/southern/phalombe/ta-nazombe/) 174 42 7 

[TA Nkhulambe](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/southern/phalombe/ta-nkhulambe/) 87 82 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 Phalombe District

Open gazetteers list **152 villages, towns and localities** in Phalombe District. The largest with a recorded population: Phalombe (7,040). Settlements here lie between about 634 m and 1,117 m above sea level (median 711 m).

- Bandawe
- Bwanaisa
- Chanasa
- Chawesa
- Chiduba
- Chigukumile Trading Center
- Chigwirigwidi
- Chimbalenga
- Chinziri
- Chitawo
- Chiwalu
- Degadega
- Fort Lister
- Guziwa A
- Gwirima
- James
- Jonamu
- Jumwa
- Kadewere
- Kaledzera
- Kambalame
- Kandulo
- Kapito
- Kapura
- Katemera
- Khanyepa
- Khumamuwe
- Khurune
- Kolowika
- Kubwalo
- Likaka
- Likangala
- Likangaria
- Likhura
- Likhura A
- Likhura B
- Likhuza
- Ling'Weng'We
- Liphala
- Liphava
- Lolo
- Lomoliwa
- Luwaniwa
- Machedwa
- Machemba
- Madeya
- Madukano
- Magambe
- Makatha
- Makumbi 1
- Malope
- Maluwa
- Manyamba
- Mapondo
- Matope
- Mavikhuwa
- Mawira
- Mbenderan
- Mberenga
- Mbeza
- Mbilimuno
- Mchenga
- Migowi
- Misomali
- Mjojo
- Mkwela
- Mmora
- Mphonde
- Mtepa
- Mtikhe
- Mtima
- Mudeni
- Mugawanya
- Muhanya
- Muhura
- Mukitha
- Mukwiyo
- Mulaviwa
- Mulelemba
- Mulera
- Mureka
- Murikere
- Muruwesi
- Musherima
- Mutanga
- Mwalala
- Mwaliwa
- Mwalura
- Mwana
- Mwanakhu
- Mwanamunu
- Mwanga
- Mwazule
- Nachanje
- Nachima A
- Nachuma
- Nagoli
- Nakoma
- Nakonaka
- Nakude
- Nakukhu
- Naliya
- Namahiya
- Namaja
- Namasoko
- Namata
- Nambazu
- Nambiri
- Nambwale
- Namilima
- Nampinga
- Nanyalo
- Nazombe
- Nchenga
- Ndunya
- Nekete
- Njovu
- Nkhulambe 1
- Nkhulambe 2
- Nkhulambe A
- Nkulambe
- Nomanda
- Norupo
- Nsiyankhuni
- Ntalava
- Nthita
- Nthowa
- Nyampalu
- Nyezerera
- Operiwa
- Pensulo
- Petro Mmora
- Phalombe
- Phikilisa
- Phodgoma
- Phweremwe
- Romoliwa
- Ruwaniwa
- Samile
- Sapali
- Siana
- Standi
- Sumbeya
- Thomu
- Thowa
- Thuthuwa
- Tinyade
- Tuthuwa
- Veruwa
- Wela
- Wowo
- Yohane

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 Phalombe District

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

### Water

23 rivers and streams.

- Bembembe
- Berenje
- Chikasamaganga
- Chitumbwi
- Karama
- Khongoloni
- Likwalangwangwa
- Lukulezi River
- Migoi
- Mivumu
- Nabwato
- Namikunde
- Naminjiwa
- Nampende wa Kufa
- Namphende Stream
- Nancheu
- Nandiwo
- Nannpepo
- Nanthali
- Nasinga
- Nathaka
- Noji
- Sakanena

### Hills and mountains

41 hills; 23 mountains; 1 peak; 1 mountain pass.

- Mchese Mountain · 2,233 m
- Machemba Hill · 1,359 m
- Fort Lister Gap · 1,106 m
- Makuwa · 1,066 m
- Malambala Hill · 1,021 m
- Namangali Hill · 961 m
- Mikongoni Hill · 928 m
- Longwe · 923 m
- Chikomwe · 909 m
- Chigwakwala Hill · 902 m
- Nasololo · 900 m
- Chingazi Hill · 896 m
- Nalijeri · 880 m
- Chanzamwana · 840 m
- Mikomwa · 837 m
- Makhanga · 836 m
- Tekani · 824 m
- Kuru Hill · 817 m
- Mingambo Hill · 817 m
- Changuma · 815 m
- Chikuli Hill · 811 m
- Chenga · 808 m
- Bankala Hill · 805 m
- Chipalanje · 805 m

…and 42 more.

### Forests and nature

1 forest reserve.

- Mchese Forest Reserve

### Estates

1 estate.

- Lukulezi

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 Phalombe District and the best time to visit

In Phalombe District, the warmest month is Nov (average 27 °C) and the coolest is Jul (18 °C). About 1,245 mm of rain falls in a year; the wettest month is Jan (343 mm) and the driest Aug (8 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 24 343 

Feb 24 227 

Mar 23 189 

Apr 22 60 

May 20 18 

Jun 19 16 

Jul 18 28 

Aug 20 8 

Sep 24 8 

Oct 27 17 

Nov 27 94 

Dec 25 238 

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

## Hospitals, banks and other services in Phalombe District

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

- Hospitals5
- Hotels3
- Schools10

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 Phalombe District?In Southern Region, Malawi
- What is the population of Phalombe District?490,345 (2023 estimate)
- What is the median age in Phalombe District?About 18 years (2023 estimate)
- What is the population density of Phalombe District?About 394 people per km²
- What borders Phalombe District?Mulanje District and Zomba District
- How many villages are in Phalombe District?152 named settlements (GeoNames, OpenStreetMap)
- What is the elevation of Phalombe District?Settlements lie between 634 m and 1,117 m
- What is the highest point in Phalombe District?Mchese Mountain (2,233 m, GeoNames elevation model)
- What is the best time to visit Phalombe District?April to November
- How many hospitals are in Phalombe District?5 mapped
- What is the P-code of Phalombe District?MW309 (OCHA common operational dataset)