# Rufiji District, Pwani Region – Population, Wards & Map > Source: https://wherepedia.org/tanzania/pwani/rufiji/ District · Pwani Region # Rufiji District Rufiji District is a district of Tanzania in Pwani Region. It had an estimated **238,545 people** in 2020 on 12,755 km² (about 19 per km²). It is divided into 26 wards. 114 named villages and localities are recorded here, and 153 mapped services such as hospitals, banks and schools. - 238,545people (2020) - 12,755km² - 26wards - 153mapped services ## How many people live in Rufiji District? Rufiji District had an estimated **238,545 people** in 2020 — 17.6% of Pwani Region, 107th of 168 districts. There are 1,036 women for every 1,000 men (above the Pwani Region figure of 1,000). Spread over 12,755 km², that is about **19 people per km²**, 156th of 168 districts. 44.2% of people are children under 15 and 5.3% are 65 or older; the median age is about 18 years (it is 20 across Pwani Region). For every 100 people of working age (15–64) there are 98 children and older people. 0–4 ****36,379** 5–9 ****36,546** 10–14 ****32,618** 15–19 ****23,254** 20–24 ****17,943** 25–29 ****15,456** 30–34 ****14,504** 35–39 ****12,274** 40–44 ****11,483** 45–49 ****8,191** 50–54 ****6,938** 55–59 ****5,116** 60–64 ****5,128** 65–69 ****4,076** 70–74 ****3,776** 75–79 ****2,196** 80+ ****2,667** Source: [UNFPA via OCHA HDX, population 2020 (COD-PS, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ps-tza). ## Where is Rufiji District? Rufiji District lies in [Pwani Region](https://wherepedia.org/tanzania/pwani/), [Tanzania](https://wherepedia.org/tanzania/). It borders 6 other districts: [Kilombero District](https://wherepedia.org/tanzania/morogoro/kilombero/), [Kilwa District](https://wherepedia.org/tanzania/lindi/kilwa/), [Kisarawe District](https://wherepedia.org/tanzania/pwani/kisarawe/), [Liwale District](https://wherepedia.org/tanzania/lindi/liwale/), [Mkuranga District](https://wherepedia.org/tanzania/pwani/mkuranga/) and [Morogoro District](https://wherepedia.org/tanzania/morogoro/morogoro/). By area it is the 20th largest of 170 districts in Tanzania. It covers 39.9% of [Pwani Region](https://wherepedia.org/tanzania/pwani/). The centre of Rufiji District is about 370 km in a straight line from Dodoma, the capital. It is about 142 km from Kibaha, the main town of Pwani Region. The centre point is at 7.9914° S, 38.5462° E. Source: [Tanzania National Bureau of Statistics / UN OCHA ROSA via OCHA HDX, administrative boundaries (COD-AB, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ab-tza). ## Things to see in and around Rufiji District OpenStreetMap lists 2 named sights in Rufiji District: 1 attraction; 1 nature reserve. - Ngarambe-Tapika Community Widlife Management Area · nature reserve - Mtemere Gate · attraction Source: [© OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), Geofabrik extract — named settlements](https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright). Named attractions, museums, viewpoints, historic sites and natural features mapped in OpenStreetMap. Places of worship are not listed. ## Know before you go: Rufiji District - Time zoneUTC+3, no daylight saving · Africa/Dar_es_Salaam - CurrencyShilling (TZS) - Country calling code+255 - LanguagesSwahili, English, Arabic - Plug typesType G · 230 V - Driving sideLeft - Postcode format5 digits (#####) ### Nearest airports - Mafia Airport (MFA) · Kilindoni124 km - Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) · Dar es Salaam144 km ### Daylight Days are longest in Dec (about 12.6 hours, sunrise around 06:03) and shortest in Jun (about 11.7 hours, sunrise around 06:36, sunset around 18:15). Source: [GeoNames country and time-zone files (CC BY 4.0)](https://www.geonames.org/); [Wikidata (CC0) — plug types, mains voltage, driving side; retrieved 2026-11-03](https://www.wikidata.org/); [OurAirports (public domain)](https://ourairports.com/data/). 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 Rufiji District Ward Area km² Localities Services [Bungu](https://wherepedia.org/tanzania/pwani/rufiji/bungu/) 271 5 10 [Chemchem](https://wherepedia.org/tanzania/pwani/rufiji/chemchem/) 852 3 7 [Chumbi](https://wherepedia.org/tanzania/pwani/rufiji/chumbi/) 553 7 12 [Dimani](https://wherepedia.org/tanzania/pwani/rufiji/dimani/) 541 5 6 [Ikwiriri](https://wherepedia.org/tanzania/pwani/rufiji/ikwiriri/) 101 0 2 [Kibiti](https://wherepedia.org/tanzania/pwani/rufiji/kibiti/) 126 2 9 [Kiongoroni](https://wherepedia.org/tanzania/pwani/rufiji/kiongoroni/) 50 3 1 [Mahege](https://wherepedia.org/tanzania/pwani/rufiji/mahege/) 131 3 5 [Maparoni](https://wherepedia.org/tanzania/pwani/rufiji/maparoni/) 51 1 3 [Mbuchi](https://wherepedia.org/tanzania/pwani/rufiji/mbuchi/) 74 1 2 [Mbwara](https://wherepedia.org/tanzania/pwani/rufiji/mbwara/) 1,069 5 6 [Mchukwi](https://wherepedia.org/tanzania/pwani/rufiji/mchukwi/) 271 6 7 [Mgomba](https://wherepedia.org/tanzania/pwani/rufiji/mgomba/) 102 2 3 [Mjawa](https://wherepedia.org/tanzania/pwani/rufiji/mjawa/) 87 3 5 [Mkongo](https://wherepedia.org/tanzania/pwani/rufiji/mkongo/) 380 4 5 [Mlanzi](https://wherepedia.org/tanzania/pwani/rufiji/mlanzi/) 68 1 6 [Mtawanya](https://wherepedia.org/tanzania/pwani/rufiji/mtawanya/) 192 5 7 [Mtunda](https://wherepedia.org/tanzania/pwani/rufiji/mtunda/) 503 4 3 [Mwambao](https://wherepedia.org/tanzania/pwani/rufiji/mwambao/) 221 7 7 [Mwaseni](https://wherepedia.org/tanzania/pwani/rufiji/mwaseni/) 3,822 16 16 [Ngarambe](https://wherepedia.org/tanzania/pwani/rufiji/ngarambe/) 1,199 8 5 [Ngorongo](https://wherepedia.org/tanzania/pwani/rufiji/ngorongo/) 1,369 12 7 [Ruaruke](https://wherepedia.org/tanzania/pwani/rufiji/ruaruke/) 223 5 7 [Salale](https://wherepedia.org/tanzania/pwani/rufiji/salale/) 48 4 5 [Umwe](https://wherepedia.org/tanzania/pwani/rufiji/umwe/) 35 1 4 [Utete](https://wherepedia.org/tanzania/pwani/rufiji/utete/) 418 2 3 Source: [Tanzania National Bureau of Statistics / UN OCHA ROSA via OCHA HDX, administrative boundaries (COD-AB, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ab-tza); [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 Rufiji District Open gazetteers list **114 villages, towns and localities** in Rufiji District. The largest with a recorded population: Ikwiriri (45,000), Kibiti (30,163), Bungu (27,873), Utete (11,888) and Mbumi (4,305). Settlements here lie between about 6 m and 418 m above sea level (median 53 m). - Banduka - Bumba - Bungu - Chumbi - Dimani - Hanga - Ikwiriri - Jaja - Jaribu Mpakani - Kibiti - Kibonji - Kifmangao - Kikale - Kilimani - Kilimani Mashariki - Kilindi - Kilula Tambwe - Kimbuga - Kingupira - Kinyanya - Kiomboni - Kipo - Kipugira - Kipungira - Kirimbiro - Kitembo - Kivinja A - Kivinja B - Kiwanga - Kungurwe - Kwa Mhinda - Kwangwazi - Mahege - Makindu - Mangwi - Mbambe - Mbumi - Mbwara - Mbwera - Mchukwi - Mchukwi A - Mchukwi B - Mchungu - Mhiniu - Mibuyusaba - Mitowa - Miwaga - Mjawa - Mkalinzu - Mkenda - Mkongo - Mkupuka - Mlanzi - Mloka - Mng'Aru - Mohoro - Mpanga - Mpanganya - Mroka - Msala - Msindaji - Msomeni - Msona - Msoro - Mtanza - Mtawanya A - Mtawanya B - Mtunda - Mturuma - Muyuyu - Mwangia - Mwaseni - Namageni - Nambunju - Nangulangwa - Ndundu - Ndundu Tawa - Ndundunyikanza - Ngarambe Mashariki - Ngarimbi - Ngorongo Mashariki - Ngulakula - Nyakatasi - Nyakisiku - Nyamatanga - Nyambati - Nyambili - Nyaminywili - Nyamiriywili - Nyamisati - Nyamwage - Nyandakatundu - Nyanjati - Nyarwiru - Nyera - Nyuruandanga - Pagae - Pemba - Pombwe - Roge Roge - Ruaruke - Rungungu - Rusende - Ruwe - Salale - Tapika - Tawi - Tomoni - Uchembe - Umwo - Utete - Utete Mashariki - Utunge - Zombe 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 Rufiji District Named natural and historic features inside Rufiji District, from the GeoNames gazetteer. ### Water 10 rivers and streams; 6 lakes. - Great Ruaha River - Gumba - Kibonji - Kopeke - Lake Lugongwe - Lake Mzizima - Lake Nzerkera - Lake Siwandu - Lake Tagalala - Lake Utenge - Lambo River - Lihangwa River - Lukuliro - Lungonya River - Namamba - Rufiji River ### Hills and mountains 8 hills. - Mtundussi Hill · 474 m - Hatumbula · 379 m - Kipalala Hill · 333 m - Kibiti · 267 m - Kihita · 146 m - Makindu Hill · 140 m - Luhombero · 114 m - Wingayongo Hill · 46 m ### Forests and nature 20 forest reserves. - Katundu Forest Reserve - Kikale Forest Reserve - Kingoma Forest Reserve - Kipo Forest Reserve - Kirengoma Forest Reserve - Mchungu Forest Reserve - Mohoro Forest Reserve - Mohoro River Forest Reserve - Mpanga Forest Reserve - Mtanza Forest Reserve - Mtita Forest Reserve - Namakutwa Forest Reserve - Ngulakula F. R. - Nyamuete Forest Reserve - Nyamuete Forest Reserve - Nyumburuni Forest Reserve - Ruhoi Forest Reserve - Rupiage Forest Reserve - Tambulu Forest Reserve - Utete Forest Reserve ### Getting around 7 airfields. - Kiasi - Kwangwazi - Mbuyu - Mchukwi Rufiui - Mkalinzu - Namikwera - Stieglers Gorge 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 Rufiji District and the best time to visit In Rufiji District, the warmest month is Nov (average 28 °C) and the coolest is Jun (24 °C). About 1,227 mm of rain falls in a year; the wettest month is Apr (248 mm) and the driest Jul (9 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 27 171 Feb 27 148 Mar 26 214 Apr 26 248 May 25 85 Jun 24 12 Jul 24 9 Aug 25 12 Sep 26 18 Oct 27 67 Nov 28 94 Dec 28 149 Source: [NASA POWER climatology, retrieved 2026-10-29](https://power.larc.nasa.gov/). ## Hospitals, banks and other services in Rufiji District Places mapped inside Rufiji District in open map data, by type — each number opens the full list with locations. - Hospitals1 - Petrol pumps1 - Hotels13 - Schools137 - Restaurants1 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 Rufiji District?In Pwani Region, Tanzania - What is the population of Rufiji District?238,545 (2020 estimate) - What is the median age in Rufiji District?About 18 years (2020 estimate) - What is the population density of Rufiji District?About 19 people per km² - What borders Rufiji District?Kilombero District, Kilwa District, Kisarawe District, Liwale District, Mkuranga District and Morogoro District - What is there to see in Rufiji District?Mtemere Gate, Ngarambe-Tapika Community Widlife Management Area - What time zone is Rufiji District in?UTC+3 - What currency is used in Rufiji District?Shilling (TZS) - What language is spoken in Rufiji District?Swahili, English, Arabic (main languages nationally) - How many villages are in Rufiji District?114 named settlements (GeoNames, OpenStreetMap) - What is the elevation of Rufiji District?Settlements lie between 6 m and 418 m - What is the highest point in Rufiji District?Mtundussi Hill (474 m, GeoNames elevation model) - What is the best time to visit Rufiji District?May to November - How many hospitals are in Rufiji District?1 mapped - How many petrol pumps are in Rufiji District?1 mapped - What is the P-code of Rufiji District?TZ0605 (OCHA common operational dataset)