Region · Tanzania
# Mtwara Region

Mtwara Region is a region of Tanzania. It had an estimated 1,457,965 people in 2020 on 17,834 km² (about 82 per km²). Its main town is Mtwara. It is divided into 7 districts. 577 named villages and localities are recorded here, and 923 mapped services such as hospitals, banks and schools.
- 1,457,965 people (2020)
- 17,834 km²
- 7 districts
- 923 mapped services

## How many people live in Mtwara Region?

Mtwara Region had an estimated 1,457,965 people in 2020 — 2.5% of Tanzania, 19th of 31 regions. There are 1,081 women for every 1,000 men (above the Tanzania figure of 1,003). Spread over 17,834 km², that is about 82 people per km², 14th of 31 regions.

37.6% of people are children under 15 and 5.7% are 65 or older; the median age is about 22 years (it is 18 across Tanzania). For every 100 people of working age (15–64) there are 76 children and older people.
- 0–4 189,642
- 5–9 180,801
- 10–14 177,986
- 15–19 134,145
- 20–24 113,317
- 25–29 101,721
- 30–34 99,851
- 35–39 91,256
- 40–44 84,036
- 45–49 64,241
- 50–54 53,272
- 55–59 46,119
- 60–64 38,501
- 65–69 34,396
- 70–74 23,230
- 75–79 15,530
- 80+ 9,921

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

## Where is Mtwara Region?

Mtwara Region lies in Tanzania. It borders 2 other regions: Lindi Region and Ruvuma Region. By area it is the 22nd largest of 31 regions in Tanzania. It covers 2.0% of Tanzania. The centre of Mtwara Region is about 627 km in a straight line from Dodoma, the capital. The centre point is at 10.7714° S, 39.0436° 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 Mtwara Region

OpenStreetMap lists 7 named sights in Mtwara Region: 4 attractions; 2 nature reserves; 1 viewpoint.
- Lukwika Game Reserve · nature reserve
- Msanjesi Game Reserve · nature reserve
- Monkey watching place · viewpoint
- Former Slave Market · attraction
- Livingstone House · attraction
- Lukwìka Forest Resrve · attraction
- Mikindani Yacht club · attraction

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: Mtwara Region
- 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
- Mtwara Airport (MYW) · Mtwara 134 km
- Pemba Airport (POL) · Pemba 295 km

### Daylight

Days are longest in Dec (about 12.7 hours, sunrise around 05:56) and shortest in Jun (about 11.5 hours, sunrise around 06:38, sunset around 18:08).
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
| Jan | 06:11 | 18:53 | 12.7 h |
| Feb | 06:24 | 18:51 | 12.5 h |
| Mar | 06:28 | 18:38 | 12.2 h |
| Apr | 06:27 | 18:20 | 11.9 h |
| May | 06:31 | 18:08 | 11.6 h |
| Jun | 06:38 | 18:08 | 11.5 h |
| Jul | 06:43 | 18:15 | 11.5 h |
| Aug | 06:36 | 18:21 | 11.7 h |
| Sep | 06:18 | 18:20 | 12.0 h |
| Oct | 05:59 | 18:19 | 12.3 h |
| Nov | 05:50 | 18:26 | 12.6 h |
| Dec | 05:56 | 18:41 | 12.7 h |

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.

## Districts of Mtwara Region
| District | People | per km² | Area km² | Wards | Services |
| Masasi District | 281,236 | 70 | 4,010 | 22 | 171 |
| Mtwara District | 263,312 | 71 | 3,694 | 28 | 151 |
| Tandahimba District | 261,876 | 128 | 2,050 | 30 | 135 |
| Newala District | 234,644 | 120 | 1,954 | 28 | 157 |
| Nanyumbu District | 175,212 | 34 | 5,206 | 14 | 117 |
| Masasi Township Authority District | 120,943 | 160 | 754 | 12 | 74 |
| Mtwara Urban District | 120,742 | 710 | 170 | 15 | 118 |

Source: Tanzania National Bureau of Statistics / UN OCHA ROSA via OCHA HDX, administrative boundaries (COD-AB, CC BY-IGO); UNFPA via OCHA HDX, population 2020 (COD-PS, CC BY-IGO).

## Largest towns in Mtwara Region
- Mtwara 140,793
- Masasi 89,700
- Newala Kisimani 38,099
- Newala 34,862
- Lukuledi 29,699
- Luchingu 25,145
- Nangomba 23,028
- Tandahimba 20,000
- Nanyamba 19,555
- Kitama 16,232
- Mahuta 13,548
- Nanhyanga 13,519
- Chiungutwa 12,764
- Madimba 12,507
- Namikupa 11,733

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

Populations as recorded in GeoNames, which may be older than the estimates above.

## Landscape and landmarks of Mtwara Region

Named natural and historic features inside Mtwara Region, from the GeoNames gazetteer.

### Water

22 rivers and streams; 7 lakes.
- Chimbo
- Katipindi
- Kitama
- Lake Chidya
- Lake Kitere
- Lake Lipelwe
- Lake Mambamba
- Lake Mpwapwa
- Lake Mweru
- Lake Tandahimba
- Lukwamba River
- Lulindi
- Lumesule River
- Mbangala River
- Mchauru
- Miesi
- Mjembe
- Mkoo
- Mkundi
- Mto Bukaro
- Mto Kirindi
- Mto Neroko
- Mutumnadi
- Mwiti River

…and 5 more.

### Coast and islands

11 headlands; 2 bays; 1 island.
- Mikindani Harbour
- Mongo Island
- Mtwara Bay
- Muarie Point
- Ras Inomo
- Ras Kopori
- Ras Magambera
- Ras Mkubero
- Ras Mkya
- Ras Msangamkuu
- Ras Msimbati
- Ras Ribunda
- Ras Ruwura
- Ras Yoso

### Hills and mountains

34 hills.
- Masasi · 716 m
- Chilonji · 449 m
- Mtimbo · 439 m
- Chihula · 426 m
- Mtandi · 424 m
- Mhugaro · 402 m
- Mkwera · 394 m
- Chiwire · 389 m
- Lisola · 375 m
- Mwamba · 357 m
- Nambamba · 337 m
- Majeja · 336 m
- Imasho · 323 m
- Chachaga · 322 m
- Chitwangule · 321 m
- Chiungo · 319 m
- Mkurura · 316 m
- Mausha · 314 m
- Sengwa · 314 m
- Majeje · 306 m
- Namitende · 291 m
- Chiwirikiti · 284 m
- Nambingu · 283 m
- Chilunda · 281 m

…and 10 more.

### Forests and nature

3 forest reserves.
- Mchonda Forest Reserve
- Nagaga Forest Reserve
- Ndechela Forest Reserve

### Estates

2 estates.
- Maharunga Estate
- Mikindani Sisal Estate

### Getting around

2 airports; 1 airfield; 1 port; 1 lighthouse.
- Masasi Airport
- Mikandani
- Mtwara Airport
- Mtwara Port
- Ras Msangamkuu Lighthouse

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 Mtwara Region and the best time to visit

In Mtwara Region, the warmest month is Nov (average 29 °C) and the coolest is Jun (22 °C). About 1,349 mm of rain falls in a year; the wettest month is Jan (280 mm) and the driest Sep (7 mm). The most comfortable months for a visit are May to September.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
| Month | Average °C | Rain mm |
| Jan | 26 | 280 |
| Feb | 26 | 237 |
| Mar | 26 | 263 |
| Apr | 25 | 211 |
| May | 24 | 43 |
| Jun | 22 | 14 |
| Jul | 23 | 8 |
| Aug | 24 | 11 |
| Sep | 26 | 7 |
| Oct | 28 | 44 |
| Nov | 29 | 53 |
| Dec | 28 | 177 |

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

## Hospitals, banks and other services in Mtwara Region

Places mapped inside Mtwara Region in open map data, by type — each number opens the full list with locations.
- Hospitals 29
- Banks 9
- Petrol pumps 5
- Hotels 47
- Schools 802
- Colleges and universities 4
- Pharmacies 2
- Restaurants 18
- Police stations 7

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 Mtwara Region? In Tanzania
- What is the population of Mtwara Region? 1,457,965 (2020 estimate)
- What is the median age in Mtwara Region? About 22 years (2020 estimate)
- What is the population density of Mtwara Region? About 82 people per km²
- What borders Mtwara Region? Lindi Region and Ruvuma Region
- What is there to see in Mtwara Region? Former Slave Market, Livingstone House, Lukwika Game Reserve, Lukwìka Forest Resrve
- What time zone is Mtwara Region in? UTC+3
- What currency is used in Mtwara Region? Shilling (TZS)
- What language is spoken in Mtwara Region? Swahili, English, Arabic (main languages nationally)
- What is the largest town in Mtwara Region? Mtwara
- What is the highest point in Mtwara Region? Masasi (716 m, GeoNames elevation model)
- What is the best time to visit Mtwara Region? May to September
- How many hospitals are in Mtwara Region? 29 mapped
- How many banks are in Mtwara Region? 9 mapped
- How many petrol pumps are in Mtwara Region? 5 mapped
- What is the P-code of Mtwara Region? TZ09 (OCHA common operational dataset)

At a glance
- Type: Region
- Area: 17,834.5 km²
- P-code: TZ09
- Main town: Mtwara

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