Region · Tanzania
# Simiyu Region

Simiyu Region is a region of Tanzania. It had an estimated 1,917,766 people in 2020 on 24,209 km² (about 79 per km²). It is divided into 5 districts. 606 named villages and localities are recorded here, and 954 mapped services such as hospitals, banks and schools.
- 1,917,766 people (2020)
- 24,209 km²
- 5 districts
- 954 mapped services

## How many people live in Simiyu Region?

Simiyu Region had an estimated 1,917,766 people in 2020 — 3.3% of Tanzania, 15th of 31 regions. There are 1,037 women for every 1,000 men (above the Tanzania figure of 1,003). Spread over 24,209 km², that is about 79 people per km², 15th of 31 regions.

50.1% of people are children under 15 and 2.6% 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 112 children and older people.
- 0–4 372,433
- 5–9 317,625
- 10–14 270,908
- 15–19 221,318
- 20–24 163,606
- 25–29 114,795
- 30–34 95,629
- 35–39 84,500
- 40–44 75,736
- 45–49 52,211
- 50–54 42,948
- 55–59 29,165
- 60–64 26,824
- 65–69 19,566
- 70–74 13,890
- 75–79 9,257
- 80+ 7,355

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

## Where is Simiyu Region?

Simiyu Region lies in Tanzania. It borders 5 other regions: Arusha Region, Mara Region, Mwanza Region, Shinyanga Region and Singida Region. By area it is the 16th largest of 31 regions in Tanzania. It covers 2.7% of Tanzania. The centre of Simiyu Region is about 380 km in a straight line from Dodoma, the capital. The centre point is at 3.1304° S, 34.1838° 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 Simiyu Region

OpenStreetMap lists 25 named sights in Simiyu Region: 18 attractions; 4 nature reserves; 1 museum; 1 viewpoint; 1 ruins.
- Michael Grizmek Memorial Center · museum
- Kijereshi Game Reserve · nature reserve
- Makao Wildlife Management Area · nature reserve
- Maswa Game Reserve · nature reserve
- Mwiba Wildlife Reserve · nature reserve
- Observation Point · viewpoint
- Betterlife Internet Cafe · attraction
- Gol Kopjes (east) · attraction
- Gol Kopjes (west) · attraction
- Kopje Korongo · attraction
- Loliondo Kopje 4 · attraction
- Loliondo Kopjes · attraction
- Maasai Kopje 1 · attraction
- Maasai Kopje 13 · attraction
- Maasai Kopje 14 · attraction
- Maasai Kopje 2 · attraction
- Maasai Kopje 3 · attraction
- Maasai Kopje 4 · attraction
- Massai Paintings · attraction
- Ngong Rock · attraction
- Rhino Post · attraction
- Sametu Kopjes · attraction
- The Three Lionesses · attraction
- Wandamu Kopjes · attraction
- dismantled · ruins

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: Simiyu 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
- Shinyanga Airport (SHY) · Shinyanga 92 km
- Mwanza International Airport (MWZ) · Mwanza 158 km

### Daylight

Days are longest in Dec (about 12.3 hours, sunrise around 06:29) and shortest in Jun (about 11.9 hours, sunrise around 06:45, sunset around 18:41).
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
| Jan | 06:43 | 19:00 | 12.3 h |
| Feb | 06:51 | 19:03 | 12.2 h |
| Mar | 06:49 | 18:56 | 12.1 h |
| Apr | 06:42 | 18:44 | 12.0 h |
| May | 06:40 | 18:38 | 12.0 h |
| Jun | 06:45 | 18:41 | 11.9 h |
| Jul | 06:50 | 18:47 | 12.0 h |
| Aug | 06:47 | 18:48 | 12.0 h |
| Sep | 06:36 | 18:41 | 12.1 h |
| Oct | 06:23 | 18:34 | 12.2 h |
| Nov | 06:20 | 18:35 | 12.3 h |
| Dec | 06:29 | 18:47 | 12.3 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 Simiyu Region
| District | People | per km² | Area km² | Wards | Services |
| Bariadi District | 529,659 | 96 | 5,490 | 25 | 303 |
| Maswa District | 396,481 | 108 | 3,670 | 26 | 244 |
| Itilima District | 380,810 | 81 | 4,694 | 22 | 139 |
| Meatu District | 364,133 | 40 | 9,026 | 25 | 137 |
| Busega District | 246,683 | 186 | 1,329 | 13 | 131 |

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 Simiyu Region
- Bariadi 260,927
- Somanda 33,932
- Kisesa 29,804
- Shanwa 28,000
- Nyalikungu 24,648
- Lalago 22,551
- Maswa 22,025
- Mwanhuzi 21,664
- Nyakabindi 18,428
- Malampaka 16,916
- Matonga 11,828

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 Simiyu Region

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

### Water

74 rivers and streams; 30 dams; 2 lakes.
- Banoro River
- Bariadi
- Bukwaya
- Bulolambeshi River
- Buyubi
- Chinamele
- Chinamili
- Chinamwikulu
- Durungwa
- Gidamunda
- Gobeneko River
- Gula
- Guya River
- Ibulio River
- Igulya
- Ikulala River
- Ishika
- Isisi River
- Italwa
- Jigulu River
- Kandawa
- Kawashingiria River
- Kindamaliga
- Kisukwani River

…and 82 more.

### Hills and mountains

104 hills.
- Nyamagati · 1,689 m
- Naabi · 1,670 m
- Oldonyo Olobaiye · 1,638 m
- Hala · 1,626 m
- Nyarobosho · 1,571 m
- Machanta · 1,552 m
- Mwang’hanga · 1,497 m
- Luhande · 1,495 m
- Nyawami · 1,493 m
- Mwashibaba · 1,483 m
- Mwaningilwe · 1,477 m
- Sabena · 1,476 m
- Mwanghumbu · 1,474 m
- Nyangombe · 1,467 m
- Seragena · 1,465 m
- Gwada · 1,459 m
- Mwamghanga · 1,457 m
- Bugilasumai · 1,449 m
- Habia · 1,437 m
- Dugudi · 1,421 m
- Baluli · 1,418 m
- Mwaumatondo · 1,407 m
- Bondamu · 1,398 m
- Tambalaguna · 1,398 m

…and 80 more.

### Forests and nature

5 forest reserves.
- Malya Forest Reserve
- Mwamapalala Forest Reserve
- Mwamapuli Forest Reserve
- Mwanzogisengi Forest Reserve
- Sola Forest Reserve

### Getting around

5 airfields.
- Alliance
- Buturi
- Makau
- Mamarehe
- Mbono 2

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 Simiyu Region and the best time to visit

In Simiyu Region, the warmest month is Oct (average 25 °C) and the coolest is Jun (21 °C). About 969 mm of rain falls in a year; the wettest month is Dec (170 mm) and the driest Jul (4 mm). The most comfortable months for a visit are February and April to October.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
| Month | Average °C | Rain mm |
| Jan | 22 | 151 |
| Feb | 22 | 98 |
| Mar | 22 | 148 |
| Apr | 22 | 117 |
| May | 21 | 46 |
| Jun | 21 | 8 |
| Jul | 21 | 4 |
| Aug | 23 | 12 |
| Sep | 24 | 15 |
| Oct | 25 | 43 |
| Nov | 23 | 157 |
| Dec | 22 | 170 |

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

## Hospitals, banks and other services in Simiyu Region

Places mapped inside Simiyu Region in open map data, by type — each number opens the full list with locations.
- Hospitals 55
- Banks 25
- Petrol pumps 12
- Hotels 81
- Schools 727
- Colleges and universities 4
- Pharmacies 36
- Restaurants 10
- Police stations 3
- Dental clinics 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 Simiyu Region? In Tanzania
- What is the population of Simiyu Region? 1,917,766 (2020 estimate)
- What is the median age in Simiyu Region? About 15 years (2020 estimate)
- What is the population density of Simiyu Region? About 79 people per km²
- What borders Simiyu Region? Arusha Region, Mara Region, Mwanza Region, Shinyanga Region and Singida Region
- What is there to see in Simiyu Region? Betterlife Internet Cafe, Gol Kopjes (east), Gol Kopjes (west), Kijereshi Game Reserve
- What time zone is Simiyu Region in? UTC+3
- What currency is used in Simiyu Region? Shilling (TZS)
- What language is spoken in Simiyu Region? Swahili, English, Arabic (main languages nationally)
- What is the largest town in Simiyu Region? Bariadi
- What is the highest point in Simiyu Region? Nyamagati (1,689 m, GeoNames elevation model)
- What is the best time to visit Simiyu Region? February and April to October
- How many hospitals are in Simiyu Region? 55 mapped
- How many banks are in Simiyu Region? 25 mapped
- How many petrol pumps are in Simiyu Region? 12 mapped
- What is the P-code of Simiyu Region? TZ24 (OCHA common operational dataset)

At a glance
- Type: Region
- Area: 24,208.9 km²
- P-code: TZ24

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