# Matobo District, Matabeleland South Province – Wards > Source: https://wherepedia.org/zimbabwe/matabeleland-south/matobo/ District · Matabeleland South Province # Matobo District Matobo District is a district of Zimbabwe in Matabeleland South Province. It had an estimated **105,649 people** in 2023 on 7,245 km² (about 15 per km²). It is divided into 26 wards. 17 named villages and localities are recorded here, and 97 mapped services such as hospitals, banks and schools. - 105,649people (2023) - 7,245km² - 26wards - 97mapped services ## How many people live in Matobo District? Matobo District had an estimated **105,649 people** in 2023 — 12.0% of Matabeleland South Province, 60th of 91 districts. There are 1,059 women for every 1,000 men (close to the Matabeleland South Province figure of 1,058). Spread over 7,245 km², that is about **15 people per km²**, 85th of 91 districts. 43.8% of people are children under 15 and 7.9% are 65 or older; the median age is about 18 years (it is 18 across Matabeleland South Province). For every 100 people of working age (15–64) there are 107 children and older people. 0–4 ****14,715** 5–9 ****16,074** 10–14 ****15,476** 15–19 ****13,013** 20–24 ****7,761** 25–29 ****4,888** 30–34 ****4,127** 35–39 ****3,873** 40–44 ****4,067** 45–49 ****4,375** 50–54 ****3,461** 55–59 ****2,860** 60–64 ****2,598** 65–69 ****2,515** 70–74 ****1,912** 75–79 ****1,529** 80+ ****2,405** Source: [UNFPA and Zimbabwe 2012 Census via OCHA HDX, population 2023 (COD-PS, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ps-zwe). ## Where is Matobo District? Matobo District lies in [Matabeleland South Province](https://wherepedia.org/zimbabwe/matabeleland-south/), [Zimbabwe](https://wherepedia.org/zimbabwe/). It borders 6 other districts: [Bulawayo](https://wherepedia.org/zimbabwe/bulawayo/bulawayo/), [Bulilima District](https://wherepedia.org/zimbabwe/matabeleland-south/bulilima/), [Gwanda District](https://wherepedia.org/zimbabwe/matabeleland-south/gwanda/), [Mangwe District](https://wherepedia.org/zimbabwe/matabeleland-south/mangwe/), [Umguza District](https://wherepedia.org/zimbabwe/matabeleland-north/umguza/) and [Umzingwane District](https://wherepedia.org/zimbabwe/matabeleland-south/umzingwane/). By area it is the 17th largest of 91 districts in Zimbabwe. It covers 13.4% of [Matabeleland South Province](https://wherepedia.org/zimbabwe/matabeleland-south/). The centre of Matobo District is about 443 km in a straight line from Harare, the capital. It is about 57 km from Gwanda, the main town of Matabeleland South Province. The centre point is at 20.9676° S, 28.4603° E. Source: [Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT Central Statistics Office via OCHA HDX, administrative boundaries (COD-AB, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ab-zwe). ## Things to see in and around Matobo District OpenStreetMap lists 22 named sights in Matobo District: 6 archaeological sites; 5 attractions; 3 nature reserves; 2 viewpoints; 2 monuments; 2 memorials; 1 cave; 1 castle or fort. - Bambata cave · archaeological site - Inanke Cave · archaeological site - King Mzilikazi Tomb · archaeological site - Pomongwe Cave · archaeological site - Silazwane cave · archaeological site - White Rhino Shelter · archaeological site - Chief Bidi's Residence · castle or fort - Matobo National Park · nature reserve - Private Game Reserve · nature reserve - Tshabalala Wildlife Sanctuary · nature reserve - Nswatugi Cave · viewpoint - Zhamando Hide · viewpoint - Bushmans painting · attraction - Bushmans paintings · attraction - Mother & Child rock formation · attraction - Rock paintings · attraction - Shangani Patrol Memorial · attraction - Inanke cave · cave - Inkosi Mzilikazi Memorial Site · monument - Langs Feild Memorial · memorial - Old Bulawayo · monument - Sir James Gordon Mc Donalds Monument · memorial 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: Matobo District - Time zoneUTC+2, no daylight saving · Africa/Harare - CurrencyZimbabwe Gold (ZWG) - Country calling code+263 - LanguagesEnglish, Shona, South Ndebele, North Ndebele - Plug typesType G · 220 V - Driving sideLeft ### Nearest airports - Phillip Gaonwe Matante International Airport (FRW) · Francistown105 km - Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport (BUQ) · Bulawayo107 km ### Daylight Days are longest in Dec (about 13.4 hours, sunrise around 05:19) and shortest in Jun (about 10.9 hours, sunrise around 06:40, sunset around 17:32). Source: [GeoNames country and time-zone files (CC BY 4.0)](https://www.geonames.org/); [Wikidata (CC0) — plug types, mains voltage, driving side; retrieved 2026-11-02](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 Matobo District Ward Area km² Localities Services [Ward 1](https://wherepedia.org/zimbabwe/matabeleland-south/matobo/ward-1/) 257 0 4 [Ward 10](https://wherepedia.org/zimbabwe/matabeleland-south/matobo/ward-10/) 122 0 2 [Ward 11](https://wherepedia.org/zimbabwe/matabeleland-south/matobo/ward-11/) 125 0 2 [Ward 12](https://wherepedia.org/zimbabwe/matabeleland-south/matobo/ward-12/) 147 1 2 [Ward 13](https://wherepedia.org/zimbabwe/matabeleland-south/matobo/ward-13/) 106 1 2 [Ward 14](https://wherepedia.org/zimbabwe/matabeleland-south/matobo/ward-14/) 127 0 6 [Ward 15](https://wherepedia.org/zimbabwe/matabeleland-south/matobo/ward-15/) 131 0 1 [Ward 16](https://wherepedia.org/zimbabwe/matabeleland-south/matobo/ward-16/) 159 0 6 [Ward 17](https://wherepedia.org/zimbabwe/matabeleland-south/matobo/ward-17/) 147 3 1 [Ward 18](https://wherepedia.org/zimbabwe/matabeleland-south/matobo/ward-18/) 181 0 4 [Ward 19](https://wherepedia.org/zimbabwe/matabeleland-south/matobo/ward-19/) 113 1 7 [Ward 2](https://wherepedia.org/zimbabwe/matabeleland-south/matobo/ward-2/) 389 2 6 [Ward 20](https://wherepedia.org/zimbabwe/matabeleland-south/matobo/ward-20/) 562 0 0 [Ward 21](https://wherepedia.org/zimbabwe/matabeleland-south/matobo/ward-21/) 580 1 0 [Ward 22](https://wherepedia.org/zimbabwe/matabeleland-south/matobo/ward-22/) 318 1 1 [Ward 23](https://wherepedia.org/zimbabwe/matabeleland-south/matobo/ward-23/) 595 0 3 [Ward 24](https://wherepedia.org/zimbabwe/matabeleland-south/matobo/ward-24/) 364 1 10 [Ward 25](https://wherepedia.org/zimbabwe/matabeleland-south/matobo/ward-25/) 1,167 3 10 [Ward 26](https://wherepedia.org/zimbabwe/matabeleland-south/matobo/ward-26/) 100 0 0 [Ward 3](https://wherepedia.org/zimbabwe/matabeleland-south/matobo/ward-3/) 175 1 3 [Ward 4](https://wherepedia.org/zimbabwe/matabeleland-south/matobo/ward-4/) 234 0 5 [Ward 5](https://wherepedia.org/zimbabwe/matabeleland-south/matobo/ward-5/) 349 0 3 [Ward 6](https://wherepedia.org/zimbabwe/matabeleland-south/matobo/ward-6/) 221 1 6 [Ward 7](https://wherepedia.org/zimbabwe/matabeleland-south/matobo/ward-7/) 228 0 6 [Ward 8](https://wherepedia.org/zimbabwe/matabeleland-south/matobo/ward-8/) 186 1 4 [Ward 9](https://wherepedia.org/zimbabwe/matabeleland-south/matobo/ward-9/) 162 0 3 Source: [Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT Central Statistics Office via OCHA HDX, administrative boundaries (COD-AB, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ab-zwe); [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 Matobo District Open gazetteers list **17 villages, towns and localities** in Matobo District. Settlements here lie between about 856 m and 1,438 m above sea level (median 1,234 m). - Antelope Mine - Cyrene - Figtree - Fort Usher - Halale - Homestead - Kezi - Legion - Legion Mine - Maphisa - Matopos - Mpate - Npuma - Pagati - Semukwe - St Joseph's Mission - Tshelanyemba Salvation Army Mission 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 Matobo District Named natural and historic features inside Matobo District, from the GeoNames gazetteer. ### Water 41 rivers and streams; 13 reservoirs and tanks. - Babuli - Chitamba Dam - Criterion Dam - Doorn - Goholi - Gwegala - Hlombamesiluma - Kantolo - Khami Railway Dam - Lumosa - Mabonyane - Magnana - Makasa - Malaba - Malaba - Malalatau - Maleme Dam - Malundi - Mamlongwe - Mashumba - Mataula - Matibi - Matobo Dam - Mazhowe …and 30 more. ### Hills and mountains 89 hills; 2 mountains; 1 mountain pass. - Mwazi · 1,533 m - Dunje · 1,498 m - Golati · 1,492 m - Sibizenia · 1,492 m - Mquilembegwe · 1,464 m - Ikari · 1,460 m - Shambushabe · 1,443 m - Usher · 1,441 m - N’danyazan · 1,423 m - Irene · 1,406 m - Kututu · 1,406 m - Uqaqalogwalo · 1,398 m - Mdanyazana · 1,397 m - Khami Outspan · 1,378 m - Shihikwe · 1,373 m - Dombadema · 1,371 m - Ninila · 1,370 m - Ntaba Nyama · 1,366 m - Sekwa · 1,358 m - Kittarney · 1,357 m - Thabas Inyorka · 1,351 m - Inange · 1,343 m - Demgwe · 1,338 m - Inungu · 1,325 m …and 68 more. ### Forests and nature 3 parks; 1 nature reserve. - Lake Matopos Recreational Park - Matobo National Park - Rhodes Matopos National Park - Rhodes-Bulawayo Sanctuary ### History 1 ruin; 1 historic site. - Indaba Tree - Silonkwe Ruins ### Estates 5 estates. - Betzeba Estate - Damara Estate - Pagati Estate - Wild East Estate - Woollandale Estate 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 Matobo District and the best time to visit In Matobo District, the warmest month is Nov (average 26 °C) and the coolest is Jul (16 °C). About 506 mm of rain falls in a year; the wettest month is Dec (109 mm) and the driest Aug (1 mm). The most comfortable months for a visit are **January to December**. - Jan - Feb - Mar - Apr - May - Jun - Jul - Aug - Sep - Oct - Nov - Dec Month Average °C Rain mm Jan 25 96 Feb 25 96 Mar 24 65 Apr 22 26 May 19 6 Jun 16 4 Jul 16 2 Aug 19 1 Sep 23 7 Oct 25 24 Nov 26 70 Dec 26 109 Source: [NASA POWER climatology, retrieved 2026-10-29](https://power.larc.nasa.gov/). ## Hospitals, banks and other services in Matobo District Places mapped inside Matobo District in open map data, by type — each number opens the full list with locations. - Hospitals7 - Petrol pumps2 - Hotels12 - Shopping malls1 - Schools70 - Restaurants2 - Police stations3 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 Matobo District?In Matabeleland South Province, Zimbabwe - What is the population of Matobo District?105,649 (2023 estimate) - What is the median age in Matobo District?About 18 years (2023 estimate) - What is the population density of Matobo District?About 15 people per km² - What borders Matobo District?Bulawayo, Bulilima District, Gwanda District, Mangwe District, Umguza District and Umzingwane District - What is there to see in Matobo District?Bambata cave, Bushmans painting, Bushmans paintings, Chief Bidi's Residence - What time zone is Matobo District in?UTC+2 - What currency is used in Matobo District?Zimbabwe Gold (ZWG) - What language is spoken in Matobo District?English, Shona, South Ndebele (main languages nationally) - How many villages are in Matobo District?17 named settlements (GeoNames, OpenStreetMap) - What is the elevation of Matobo District?Settlements lie between 856 m and 1,438 m - How many reservoirs and tanks are in Matobo District?13 named in GeoNames - What is the highest point in Matobo District?Mwazi (1,533 m, GeoNames elevation model) - What is the best time to visit Matobo District?January to December - How many hospitals are in Matobo District?7 mapped - How many petrol pumps are in Matobo District?2 mapped - What is the P-code of Matobo District?ZW1606 (OCHA common operational dataset)