District · Mbeya Region
# Mbarali District

Mbarali District is a district of Tanzania in Mbeya Region. It had an estimated 385,493 people in 2020 on 14,450 km² (about 27 per km²). It is divided into 20 wards. 158 named villages and localities are recorded here, and 160 mapped services such as hospitals, banks and schools.
- 385,493 people (2020)
- 14,450 km²
- 20 wards
- 160 mapped services

## How many people live in Mbarali District?

Mbarali District had an estimated 385,493 people in 2020 — 16.4% of Mbeya Region, 49th of 168 districts. There are 1,007 women for every 1,000 men (below the Mbeya Region figure of 1,030). Spread over 14,450 km², that is about 27 people per km², 145th of 168 districts.

43.0% of people are children under 15 and 3.2% are 65 or older; the median age is about 18 years (it is 19 across Mbeya Region). For every 100 people of working age (15–64) there are 86 children and older people.
- 0–4 62,657
- 5–9 54,052
- 10–14 48,941
- 15–19 41,274
- 20–24 33,428
- 25–29 28,985
- 30–34 25,674
- 35–39 21,828
- 40–44 17,988
- 45–49 15,221
- 50–54 9,376
- 55–59 7,479
- 60–64 6,295
- 65–69 4,778
- 70–74 3,549
- 75–79 2,193
- 80+ 1,775

Source: UNFPA via OCHA HDX, population 2020 (COD-PS, CC BY-IGO).

## Where is Mbarali District?

Mbarali District lies in Mbeya Region, Tanzania. It borders 7 other districts: Chunya District, Iringa District, Makete District, Mbeya District, Mbeya Urban District, Mufindi District and Wanging'ombe District. By area it is the 15th largest of 170 districts in Tanzania. It covers 38.1% of Mbeya Region. The centre of Mbarali District is about 288 km in a straight line from Dodoma, the capital. It is about 109 km from Mbeya, the main town of Mbeya Region. The centre point is at 8.2782° S, 34.2119° E.

Source: Tanzania National Bureau of Statistics / UN OCHA ROSA via OCHA HDX, administrative boundaries (COD-AB, CC BY-IGO).

## Things to see in and around Mbarali District

OpenStreetMap lists 2 named sights in Mbarali District: 1 nature reserve; 1 volcano.
- Waga Wildlife Management Area · nature reserve
- Usangu Basin · volcano

Source: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), Geofabrik extract — named settlements.

Named attractions, museums, viewpoints, historic sites and natural features mapped in OpenStreetMap. Places of worship are not listed.

## Know before you go: Mbarali District
- Time zone UTC+3, no daylight saving · Africa/Dar_es_Salaam
- Currency Shilling (TZS)
- Country calling code +255
- Languages Swahili, English, Arabic
- Plug types Type G · 230 V
- Driving side Left
- Postcode format 5 digits (#####)

### Nearest airports
- Songwe Airport (MBI) · Mbeya 125 km
- Dodoma Airport (DOD) · Dodoma 290 km

### Daylight

Days are longest in Dec (about 12.6 hours, sunrise around 06:20) and shortest in Jun (about 11.6 hours, sunrise around 06:53, sunset around 18:32).

Source: GeoNames country and time-zone files (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0) — plug types, mains voltage, driving side; retrieved 2026-11-03; OurAirports (public domain).

Airports with scheduled passenger flights; straight-line distances. Daylight is calculated for the 15th of each month in local standard time. Check entry and visa rules with official government sources before travelling.

## Wards of Mbarali District
| Ward | Area km² | Localities | Services |
| Chimala | 63 | 6 | 15 |
| Igava | 3,580 | 11 | 9 |
| Igurusi | 94 | 8 | 8 |
| Ihahi | 60 | 6 | 4 |
| Imalilosongwe | 1,349 | 11 | 6 |
| Ipwani | 304 | 6 | 7 |
| Itambaleo | 373 | 5 | 8 |
| Kongolo | 86 | 6 | 5 |
| Lugelele | 233 | 12 | 7 |
| Luhanga | 4,721 | 19 | 5 |
| Madibira | 1,337 | 12 | 11 |
| Mahongole | 72 | 1 | 5 |
| Mapogoro | 547 | 15 | 13 |
| Mawindi | 206 | 4 | 6 |
| Miyombweni | 380 | 5 | 8 |
| Mwatenga | 162 | 5 | 3 |
| Ruiwa | 431 | 6 | 9 |
| Rujewa | 183 | 5 | 14 |
| Ubaruku | 42 | 10 | 9 |
| Utengule Usangu | 226 | 11 | 8 |

Source: Tanzania National Bureau of Statistics / UN OCHA ROSA via OCHA HDX, administrative boundaries (COD-AB, CC BY-IGO); GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) — settlements, natural and historic features; Overture Maps places (CDLA-Permissive-2.0) and © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

## Villages and localities in Mbarali District

Open gazetteers list 158 villages, towns and localities in Mbarali District. The largest with a recorded population: Rujewa (42,013), Chimala (24,817), Urunda (23,000) and Dunda (14,080). Settlements here lie between about 1,025 m and 1,637 m above sea level (median 1,061 m).
- Azimio Mapura
- Azimio Mswiswi
- Chamoto
- Chimala
- Chosi
- Diminineio
- Dunda
- Hambili
- Ibala
- Ibelege
- Ibohora
- Igava
- Igawa
- Igawilo
- Igea
- Igomelo
- Igumbilo
- Igunda
- Ihanga
- Iheha
- Ikanotwa
- Ikanutwa
- Ikoga
- Ikoga Mpya
- Ikomelo
- Ikondo
- Ilolo
- Ilongwa
- Imalilo Songwe
- Inanga
- Ipangu
- Ipogoro
- Ipolo
- Ipwani
- Isisi
- Isitu
- Isunura
- Itamba
- Itipingi
- Kaniyoga
- Kapunga
- Kibaoni
- Kikondo
- Kikwega
- Kilambo
- Kimani
- Kinguga
- Kitete
- Kiwere
- Kongolo Mkola
- Kongolo Mswiswi
- Kwabamba
- Lipagama
- Luhanga
- Lunwa
- Lwanyo
- Lyachoga
- Lyambongo
- Mababila
- Mabadaga
- Mabanda
- Madibira
- Madudi
- Maendeleo
- Magigiwe
- Magurula
- Mahango
- Mahango Maadibila
- Mahango Madibila
- Mahango Mswiswi
- Mahango Ruiwa
- Mahongole
- Majengo
- Majombe
- Makanganyika
- Malamba
- Malegee
- Mambi
- Mangere
- Manienga
- Manjuenje
- Maperemehe
- Mapishimingu
- Mapogolo
- Mapogoro
- Mapunga
- Masasi
- Mashombo
- Matebete
- Mawindi
- Mayota
- Mazumbi
- Mbarali
- Mbuyuni
- Mhanira
- Miyombeni
- Mkandame
- Mkombwe
- Mkunyuwa
- Mkunywa
- Mlomboje
- Mlungu
- Moyota
- Mpakani
- Mporo
- Msaka
- Msesule
- Mswisu
- Mswiswi
- Mtamba
- Muhale
- Muwela
- Mwakaganga
- Mwaluma
- Mwanyimbwa
- Mwatenga
- Mzawa
- Ndolela
- Nyakadete
- Nyamakuyu
- Nyamtowo
- Nyaulambo
- Nyeregeti
- Owero
- Ruhanga
- Ruiwa
- Rujewa
- Salehes
- Sampulinugombe
- Sangusi
- Shamoto
- Simike
- Soliwaya
- Ubaruku
- Udindilwa
- Ugelele
- Uhahi
- Uhambule
- Uhamila
- Ujola
- Ukwaheri
- Ukwama
- Ukwavila
- Ukwawila
- Ulanga
- Ulomba
- Urunda
- Utengule
- Utiego
- Utulo
- Uturo
- Utuya
- Utyego
- Uyaule
- Uyulo
- Warumba
- Wimba Mahango
- Yala

Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) — settlements, natural and historic features; © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), Geofabrik extract — named settlements.

## Landscape and landmarks of Mbarali District

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

### Water

40 rivers and streams.
- Chimala
- Gwiri
- Halili
- Igawa
- Ihonge
- Ikumbi
- Ipatagwa
- Itambo
- Ja-Makani
- Jamakandu
- Kimani
- Kimbi
- Liahamili
- Likumbi
- Lupato
- Madawi
- Malangali
- Mapogoro
- Meta River
- Mkoji
- Mlomboje
- Mlungu
- Mpangali
- Msanja

…and 16 more.

### Hills and mountains

9 hills.
- Kinywamwuma · 1,662 m
- Chundu · 1,565 m
- Idunda · 1,451 m
- Sowanyeri · 1,358 m
- Ngalambula · 1,319 m
- Changalanga · 1,282 m
- Chamulesa · 1,156 m
- Chalithumbi · 1,139 m
- Urongwa · 1,038 m

### Forests and nature

2 forest reserves.
- Chimala Scarp Forest Reserve
- Magoye Forest Reserve

### Getting around

3 airfields.
- Chimala
- Jongomero
- Mzawa Northwest

Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) — settlements, natural and historic features.

Places of worship are not listed. Elevations are from the GeoNames terrain model and are approximate.

## Weather in Mbarali District and the best time to visit

In Mbarali District, the warmest month is Nov (average 26 °C) and the coolest is Jul (20 °C). About 1,019 mm of rain falls in a year; the wettest month is Jan (230 mm) and the driest Aug (1 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 | 23 | 230 |
| Feb | 23 | 180 |
| Mar | 23 | 187 |
| Apr | 22 | 91 |
| May | 21 | 16 |
| Jun | 20 | 4 |
| Jul | 20 | 2 |
| Aug | 22 | 1 |
| Sep | 24 | 2 |
| Oct | 26 | 17 |
| Nov | 26 | 69 |
| Dec | 24 | 219 |

Source: NASA POWER climatology, retrieved 2026-10-29.

## Hospitals, banks and other services in Mbarali District

Places mapped inside Mbarali District in open map data, by type — each number opens the full list with locations.
- Hospitals 3
- Petrol pumps 2
- Hotels 6
- Schools 148
- Colleges and universities 1

Source: Overture Maps places (CDLA-Permissive-2.0) and © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

Coverage depends on what has been mapped; contact details are not shown.

## Quick answers
- Where is Mbarali District? In Mbeya Region, Tanzania
- What is the population of Mbarali District? 385,493 (2020 estimate)
- What is the median age in Mbarali District? About 18 years (2020 estimate)
- What is the population density of Mbarali District? About 27 people per km²
- What borders Mbarali District? Chunya District, Iringa District, Makete District, Mbeya District, Mbeya Urban District, Mufindi District and Wanging'ombe District
- What is there to see in Mbarali District? Usangu Basin, Waga Wildlife Management Area
- What time zone is Mbarali District in? UTC+3
- What currency is used in Mbarali District? Shilling (TZS)
- What language is spoken in Mbarali District? Swahili, English, Arabic (main languages nationally)
- How many villages are in Mbarali District? 158 named settlements (GeoNames, OpenStreetMap)
- What is the elevation of Mbarali District? Settlements lie between 1,025 m and 1,637 m
- What is the highest point in Mbarali District? Kinywamwuma (1,662 m, GeoNames elevation model)
- What is the best time to visit Mbarali District? April to November
- How many hospitals are in Mbarali District? 3 mapped
- How many petrol pumps are in Mbarali District? 2 mapped
- What is the P-code of Mbarali District? TZ1207 (OCHA common operational dataset)

At a glance
- Type: District
- Area: 14,449.7 km²
- P-code: TZ1207
- Region: Mbeya Region

---
Canonical: https://wherepedia.org/tanzania/mbeya/mbarali/ · Updated 2026-11-03 · Data: national censuses and statistics offices (sources named in each section); © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL); Overture Maps; GeoNames; NASA POWER.