# Rukwa Region, Tanzania – Population, Districts & Map

> Source: https://wherepedia.org/tanzania/rukwa/

Region · Tanzania 

# Rukwa Region

Rukwa Region is a region of Tanzania. It had an estimated **1,414,179 people** in 2020 on 21,935 km² (about 64 per km²). Its main town is Sumbawanga. It is divided into 4 districts. 330 named villages and localities are recorded here, and 539 mapped services such as hospitals, banks and schools.

- 1,414,179people (2020)
- 21,935km²
- 4districts
- 539mapped services

## How many people live in Rukwa Region?

Rukwa Region had an estimated **1,414,179 people** in 2020 — 2.4% of Tanzania, 20th of 31 regions. There are 1,009 women for every 1,000 men (close to the Tanzania figure of 1,003). Spread over 21,935 km², that is about **64 people per km²**, 17th of 31 regions.

49.3% of people are children under 15 and 2.1% are 65 or older; the median age is about 15 years (it is 18 across Tanzania). For every 100 people of working age (15–64) there are 106 children and older people.

0–4 ****272,184**

5–9 ****231,931**

10–14 ****192,566**

15–19 ****153,884**

20–24 ****123,461**

25–29 ****103,899**

30–34 ****83,954**

35–39 ****66,593**

40–44 ****51,094**

45–49 ****36,674**

50–54 ****28,258**

55–59 ****21,708**

60–64 ****17,914**

65–69 ****12,267**

70–74 ****8,391**

75–79 ****5,306**

80+ ****4,095**

Source: [UNFPA via OCHA HDX, population 2020 (COD-PS, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ps-tza).

## Where is Rukwa Region?

Rukwa Region lies in [Tanzania](https://wherepedia.org/tanzania/). It borders 2 other regions: [Katavi Region](https://wherepedia.org/tanzania/katavi/) and [Songwe Region](https://wherepedia.org/tanzania/songwe/). By area it is the 17th largest of 31 regions in Tanzania. It covers 2.5% of [Tanzania](https://wherepedia.org/tanzania/). The centre of Rukwa Region is about 520 km in a straight line from Dodoma, the capital. The centre point is at 7.9790° S, 31.3967° 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 Rukwa Region

OpenStreetMap lists 11 named sights in Rukwa Region: 4 attractions; 3 viewpoints; 3 nature reserves; 1 cave.

- Loasi River Forest Reserve · nature reserve
- Lwafi-Nkhamba Game Reserve · nature reserve
- Mpimbwe Wildlife Management Area · nature reserve
- Lyamba la mfipa · viewpoint
- Masi · viewpoint
- TaNesco office · viewpoint
- Kipili Mission ruins · attraction
- Lake Kwela · attraction
- School hall · attraction
- Sumbawanga wenyeji · attraction
- kantalamba secondary school · cave

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: Rukwa Region

- 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

- Songwe Airport (MBI) · Mbeya231 km

### Daylight

Days are longest in Dec (about 12.6 hours, sunrise around 06:32) and shortest in Jun (about 11.7 hours, sunrise around 07:04, sunset around 18:44).

Month Sunrise Sunset Daylight 

Jan 06:46 19:19 12.5 h 

Feb 06:57 19:19 12.4 h 

Mar 06:59 19:08 12.2 h 

Apr 06:56 18:52 11.9 h 

May 06:57 18:43 11.8 h 

Jun 07:04 18:44 11.7 h 

Jul 07:09 18:51 11.7 h 

Aug 07:04 18:54 11.8 h 

Sep 06:48 18:51 12.0 h 

Oct 06:31 18:48 12.3 h 

Nov 06:25 18:53 12.5 h 

Dec 06:32 19:06 12.6 h 

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.

## Districts of Rukwa Region

District People per km² Area km² Wards Services 

[Sumbawanga District](https://wherepedia.org/tanzania/rukwa/sumbawanga/) 532,432 103 5,156 15 138 

[Nkasi District](https://wherepedia.org/tanzania/rukwa/nkasi/) 375,692 38 9,831 17 146 

[Sumbawanga Urban District](https://wherepedia.org/tanzania/rukwa/sumbawanga-urban/) 290,863 212 1,375 15 137 

[Kalambo District](https://wherepedia.org/tanzania/rukwa/kalambo/) 215,192 39 5,573 17 118 

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); [UNFPA via OCHA HDX, population 2020 (COD-PS, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ps-tza).

## Largest towns in Rukwa Region

- Sumbawanga303,986
- Namanyere40,000
- Kirando33,111
- Matai24,070
- Chala22,624
- Laela19,185
- Nkove5,389

Source: [GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) — settlements, natural and historic features](https://www.geonames.org/).

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

## Landscape and landmarks of Rukwa Region

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

### Water

50 rivers and streams; 3 lakes.

- Chilangwa
- Gwino
- Ipeta River
- Kafunga
- Kairezi
- Kalambo River
- Kalosi
- Kamanyere
- Kamawe River
- Kamyare
- Kana River
- Katimba
- Kausinse
- Kawa
- Kilemba
- Kuku
- Lake Kanisiwa
- Lake Kwera
- Lake Sundu
- Loasi
- Luamfi River
- Manda
- Mangali
- Mashete River

…and 29 more.

### Coast and islands

1 island.

- Ulwile Island

### Hills and mountains

57 hills; 7 mountains.

- Kilongo · 2,262 m
- Twelele · 2,226 m
- Malonje · 2,202 m
- Chalangala · 2,187 m
- Mposha · 2,132 m
- Kalomo · 2,123 m
- Mmemya · 2,084 m
- Mongali · 2,072 m
- Wachumi · 2,043 m
- Seleli · 2,039 m
- Mbaa · 2,021 m
- Kisusi · 2,000 m
- Tuna · 1,999 m
- Kalimira · 1,996 m
- Kalulungu · 1,979 m
- Rupila · 1,955 m
- Yamba · 1,954 m
- Nsangati · 1,930 m
- Mtantwa · 1,923 m
- Mninga · 1,876 m
- Sanga · 1,876 m
- Kirundi · 1,868 m
- Milundikwa · 1,867 m
- Tapepo · 1,846 m

…and 40 more.

### Forests and nature

7 forest reserves.

- Kalambo Falls Forest Reserve
- Kalambo River Forest Reserve
- Kisi Forest Reserve
- Kisi Forest Reserve
- Loasi River Forest Reserve
- Mbizi Hill Forest Reserve
- Sumbawanga Forest Reserve

### Getting around

3 airfields; 1 airport.

- Kapenta
- Muse
- Sumbawanga
- Sumbawanga 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 Rukwa Region and the best time to visit

In Rukwa Region, the warmest month is Oct (average 23 °C) and the coolest is Jun (17 °C). About 1,104 mm of rain falls in a year; the wettest month is Dec (245 mm) and the driest Jul (1 mm). The most comfortable months for a visit are **April to October**.

- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec

Month Average °C Rain mm 

Jan 20 210 

Feb 20 167 

Mar 20 178 

Apr 20 98 

May 19 13 

Jun 17 2 

Jul 17 1 

Aug 19 3 

Sep 22 4 

Oct 23 32 

Nov 22 150 

Dec 20 245 

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

## Hospitals, banks and other services in Rukwa Region

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

- Hospitals12
- Banks8
- Petrol pumps9
- Hotels28
- Schools462
- Colleges and universities3
- Cinemas2
- Pharmacies2
- Restaurants9
- Police stations4

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 Rukwa Region?In Tanzania
- What is the population of Rukwa Region?1,414,179 (2020 estimate)
- What is the median age in Rukwa Region?About 15 years (2020 estimate)
- What is the population density of Rukwa Region?About 64 people per km²
- What borders Rukwa Region?Katavi Region and Songwe Region
- What is there to see in Rukwa Region?Kipili Mission ruins, Lake Kwela, Loasi River Forest Reserve, Lwafi-Nkhamba Game Reserve
- What time zone is Rukwa Region in?UTC+3
- What currency is used in Rukwa Region?Shilling (TZS)
- What language is spoken in Rukwa Region?Swahili, English, Arabic (main languages nationally)
- What is the largest town in Rukwa Region?Sumbawanga
- What is the highest point in Rukwa Region?Kilongo (2,262 m, GeoNames elevation model)
- What is the best time to visit Rukwa Region?April to October
- How many hospitals are in Rukwa Region?12 mapped
- How many banks are in Rukwa Region?8 mapped
- How many petrol pumps are in Rukwa Region?9 mapped
- What is the P-code of Rukwa Region?TZ15 (OCHA common operational dataset)