{"id":58,"date":"2024-04-04T10:32:25","date_gmt":"2024-04-04T10:32:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/townsvillages.com\/tanzania\/?p=58"},"modified":"2026-08-01T00:13:32","modified_gmt":"2026-08-01T00:13:32","slug":"mbeya-region","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/townsvillages.com\/tanzania\/mbeya-region\/","title":{"rendered":"Mbeya Region"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mbeya Region (Swahili: Mkoa wa Mbeya) sits in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania, on the road and rail corridor that runs from Dar es Salaam to the Zambian border. The 2022 census recorded a population of 2,343,754, which makes it the twelfth largest of Tanzania’s 31 regions. Its capital is the city of Mbeya, and its land drops from the 2,900-metre summit of Mount Rungwe to the shore of Lake Nyasa at about 475 metres.<\/p>\n

Districts of Mbeya Region<\/h2>\n

Mbeya Region is divided into seven councils. Busokelo was carved out of Rungwe District in 2012, and Songwe Region was split away from Mbeya’s western districts in 2016, so older lists of Mbeya’s districts do not match the table below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
District<\/th>\nCouncil type<\/th>\nPopulation (2022 census)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Busokelo<\/td>\nDistrict council<\/td>\n100,123<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Chunya<\/td>\nDistrict council<\/td>\n344,471<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kyela<\/td>\nDistrict council<\/td>\n266,426<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mbarali<\/td>\nDistrict council<\/td>\n446,336<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mbeya City<\/td>\nCity council<\/td>\n541,603<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mbeya (rural)<\/td>\nDistrict council<\/td>\n371,259<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rungwe<\/td>\nDistrict council<\/td>\n273,536<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Total<\/td>\n<\/td>\n2,343,754<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Towns and Villages in Mbeya Region<\/h2>\n

The settlements below are grouped by district. Busokelo District was created out of Rungwe in 2012 and its villages are still recorded under Rungwe in the gazetteer data, so look for them there. Places whose district could not be established are listed last.<\/p>\n

Chunya District<\/h3>\n
    \n
  • Chunya<\/li>\n
  • Gundu<\/li>\n
  • Ibungu<\/li>\n
  • Igoma<\/li>\n
  • Ihangi<\/li>\n
  • Ikumbukwa<\/li>\n
  • Ilogolo<\/li>\n
  • Ilungu<\/li>\n
  • Ipogoro<\/li>\n
  • Isambwa<\/li>\n
  • Isenyela<\/li>\n
  • Kalangali<\/li>\n
  • Kampi Katoto<\/li>\n
  • Kasanga<\/li>\n
  • Kipampa<\/li>\n
  • Kipembawe<\/li>\n
  • Kitagalu<\/li>\n
  • Kiwanja<\/li>\n
  • Lupa Market<\/li>\n
  • Lupatingatinga<\/li>\n
  • Maji ya Moto<\/li>\n
  • Makampi<\/li>\n
  • Makoko<\/li>\n
  • Makongolosi<\/li>\n
  • Mansega<\/li>\n
  • Mantandi<\/li>\n
  • Masimba<\/li>\n
  • Matopotopo<\/li>\n
  • Matundasi<\/li>\n
  • Mawoga<\/li>\n
  • Mazimba<\/li>\n
  • Mbogo<\/li>\n
  • Mbugani<\/li>\n
  • Mbuyuni<\/li>\n
  • Mdabulo<\/li>\n
  • Mkanga<\/li>\n
  • Mlangali<\/li>\n
  • Nguilo<\/li>\n
  • Ngululiro<\/li>\n
  • Nkulu<\/li>\n
  • Nkutano<\/li>\n
  • Ntanila<\/li>\n
  • Sawika<\/li>\n
  • Sengambia<\/li>\n
  • Shoga<\/li>\n
  • Thangu<\/li>\n
  • Usule<\/li>\n
  • Vungwa<\/li>\n
  • Zira<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Kyela District<\/h3>\n
      \n
    • Bujonde<\/li>\n
    • Ikolo<\/li>\n
    • Ipanya<\/li>\n
    • Ipinda<\/li>\n
    • Itungi Port<\/li>\n
    • Kalambo<\/li>\n
    • Kanjumjumere<\/li>\n
    • Kyela<\/li>\n
    • Lusungo<\/li>\n
    • Mwaya<\/li>\n
    • Ndobo<\/li>\n
    • Njugilo<\/li>\n
    • Nkokwa<\/li>\n
    • Songwe<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Mbarali District<\/h3>\n
        \n
      • Chimala<\/li>\n
      • Chosi<\/li>\n
      • Dunda<\/li>\n
      • Hambili<\/li>\n
      • Ibala<\/li>\n
      • Igawa<\/li>\n
      • Igea<\/li>\n
      • Igunda<\/li>\n
      • Igurusi<\/li>\n
      • Ikanotwa<\/li>\n
      • Ikoga<\/li>\n
      • Ikomelo<\/li>\n
      • Ilongwa<\/li>\n
      • Ipangu<\/li>\n
      • Ipogoro<\/li>\n
      • Isunura<\/li>\n
      • Itamba<\/li>\n
      • Kapunga<\/li>\n
      • Kikondo<\/li>\n
      • Kikwega<\/li>\n
      • Kimani<\/li>\n
      • Kinguga<\/li>\n
      • Kitete<\/li>\n
      • Kiwere<\/li>\n
      • Kwabamba<\/li>\n
      • Lipagama<\/li>\n
      • Luhanga<\/li>\n
      • Mababila<\/li>\n
      • Mabadaga<\/li>\n
      • Madibira<\/li>\n
      • Madudi<\/li>\n
      • Mahango<\/li>\n
      • Mahongole<\/li>\n
      • Majombe<\/li>\n
      • Makanganyika<\/li>\n
      • Malamba<\/li>\n
      • Malegee<\/li>\n
      • Mambi<\/li>\n
      • Maperemehe<\/li>\n
      • Mapishimingu<\/li>\n
      • Mapogoro<\/li>\n
      • Mapunga<\/li>\n
      • Masasi<\/li>\n
      • Mashombo<\/li>\n
      • Mawindi<\/li>\n
      • Mazumbi<\/li>\n
      • Mhanira<\/li>\n
      • Mkombwe<\/li>\n
      • Mkunyuwa<\/li>\n
      • Mlomboje<\/li>\n
      • Moyota<\/li>\n
      • Mporo<\/li>\n
      • Msaka<\/li>\n
      • Mswisu<\/li>\n
      • Mwanyimbwa<\/li>\n
      • Mzawa<\/li>\n
      • Nyamtowo<\/li>\n
      • Nyaulambo<\/li>\n
      • Owero<\/li>\n
      • Ruhanga<\/li>\n
      • Ruiwa<\/li>\n
      • Rujewa<\/li>\n
      • Sangusi<\/li>\n
      • Shamoto<\/li>\n
      • Soliwaya<\/li>\n
      • Ujola<\/li>\n
      • Ukwaheri<\/li>\n
      • Ukwawila<\/li>\n
      • Ulanga<\/li>\n
      • Ulomba<\/li>\n
      • Urunda<\/li>\n
      • Utengule<\/li>\n
      • Utiego<\/li>\n
      • Uturo<\/li>\n
      • Utuya<\/li>\n
      • Uyaule<\/li>\n
      • Uyulo<\/li>\n
      • Yala<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Mbeya City<\/h3>\n
          \n
        • Gombe<\/li>\n
        • Igamba<\/li>\n
        • Ilomba<\/li>\n
        • Mbeya<\/li>\n
        • Nzege<\/li>\n
        • Uyole<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Mbeya District (Rural)<\/h3>\n
            \n
          • Holeni<\/li>\n
          • Idugumbi<\/li>\n
          • Igali<\/li>\n
          • Igoma<\/li>\n
          • Igoye<\/li>\n
          • Ilembo<\/li>\n
          • Ilomba<\/li>\n
          • Inyala<\/li>\n
          • Irambo<\/li>\n
          • Isangate<\/li>\n
          • Itete<\/li>\n
          • Izumbwe<\/li>\n
          • Kawetiri<\/li>\n
          • Kisanga<\/li>\n
          • Mantanji<\/li>\n
          • Mbalizi<\/li>\n
          • Mole<\/li>\n
          • Msanyila<\/li>\n
          • Mwanadasi<\/li>\n
          • Mwansanga<\/li>\n
          • Njiapanda<\/li>\n
          • Santilya<\/li>\n
          • Songwe<\/li>\n
          • Ulenje<\/li>\n
          • Utambalila<\/li>\n
          • Utengule<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Rungwe District<\/h3>\n
              \n
            • Ikama<\/li>\n
            • Ikuti<\/li>\n
            • Ilima<\/li>\n
            • Ilolo<\/li>\n
            • Itagata<\/li>\n
            • Itete<\/li>\n
            • Kabula<\/li>\n
            • Kambasegera<\/li>\n
            • Kandete<\/li>\n
            • Kapugi<\/li>\n
            • Kasyeto<\/li>\n
            • Katumba<\/li>\n
            • Kiwira<\/li>\n
            • Kyimo<\/li>\n
            • Lugombo<\/li>\n
            • Lukata<\/li>\n
            • Lupata<\/li>\n
            • Makeje<\/li>\n
            • Masebe<\/li>\n
            • Masoko<\/li>\n
            • Masukulu<\/li>\n
            • Mbaka<\/li>\n
            • Mboyo<\/li>\n
            • Mpuguso<\/li>\n
            • Mwitika<\/li>\n
            • Ndara<\/li>\n
            • Rungwe<\/li>\n
            • Segera<\/li>\n
            • Seso<\/li>\n
            • Suma<\/li>\n
            • Tukuyu<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              Other localities<\/h3>\n
                \n
              • Kitagasa<\/li>\n
              • Lumbira<\/li>\n
              • Maleza<\/li>\n
              • Ngomba<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                Geography<\/h2>\n

                Mbeya Region covers 35,954 km\u00b2, about four per cent of mainland Tanzania. It borders Singida, Iringa and Njombe regions to the east, Tabora Region to the north, and Songwe Region to the west. Malawi and Lake Nyasa form the southern boundary.<\/p>\n

                Both arms of the Great Rift Valley cut through the region, and they set its shape. Mount Rungwe rises above 2,900 metres between Tukuyu and the lake, and the Kipengere and Poroto ranges run north-east from it. Lake Nyasa lies at the southern edge, Lake Rukwa at the north-western, and the Great Ruaha and Songwe rivers drain the interior. Kitulo National Park protects the high grassland plateau above Rungwe, and the northern districts reach into Ruaha National Park. The Mpanga Kipengere, Usangu, Rukwati Piti and Mount Rungwe game reserves also fall inside the region.<\/p>\n

                Temperature follows altitude closely. The lowlands around Kyela average about 25 \u00b0C and the highlands around 16 \u00b0C. Rain falls from October to May, from roughly 650 mm a year on the plains to 2,600 mm in the mountains.<\/p>\n

                Economy and Local Life<\/h2>\n

                Farming supports about 80 per cent of working people in the region. Potatoes are the largest crop by volume at some 925,267 tonnes a year, followed by maize at 669,080 tonnes; bananas grow throughout the wetter highland districts. Tea, coffee and cocoa are the main cash crops, with tea concentrated around Rungwe and coffee on the slopes above Mbeya city.<\/p>\n

                Mbarali District is different. Its flat Usangu plains carry irrigated rice, including the schemes at Kapunga and Madibira, and Rujewa is the district’s trading centre. Kyela, at the head of Lake Nyasa, grows rice and cocoa in a hot, wet climate and sends produce north to Mbeya by road. Chunya District in the north is drier and its economy leans on gold; Makongolosi and Matundasi grew around the old Lupa goldfield. Mining elsewhere in the region works marble and rare earth oxides. Small agro-processing and timber businesses cluster in Mbeya city and Uyole, where the national agricultural research institute is based.<\/p>\n

                Getting There<\/h2>\n

                The TANZAM Highway (T1) is the region’s spine, running from Dar es Salaam through Mbeya city and on to the Zambian border. The B-345 road links the highway south towards Tukuyu, Kyela and the Malawi crossing. The TAZARA railway follows the same corridor, connecting Mbeya to Dar es Salaam in one direction and Zambia in the other.<\/p>\n

                Songwe International Airport serves the city, with daily Air Tanzania flights to Dar es Salaam. On Lake Nyasa, Itungi Port in Kyela District is the shipping point for lake traffic to the southern shore.<\/p>\n

                FAQ<\/h2>\n

                How many districts are in Mbeya Region?<\/h3>\n

                Seven: Busokelo, Chunya, Kyela, Mbarali, Mbeya City, Mbeya rural district and Rungwe.<\/p>\n

                What is the population of Mbeya Region?<\/h3>\n

                The 2022 census recorded a population of 2,343,754, up from 1,708,548 in 2012. That ranks Mbeya twelfth of Tanzania’s 31 regions.<\/p>\n

                What is the capital of Mbeya Region?<\/h3>\n

                Mbeya city. Mbeya City Council had a population of 541,603 at the 2022 census.<\/p>\n

                Is Songwe Region part of Mbeya?<\/h3>\n

                No. Songwe Region was separated from western Mbeya on 29 January 2016 and now includes Ileje, Mbozi, Momba, Songwe and Tunduma. Sources written before 2016 list those districts under Mbeya.<\/p>\n

                What towns are in Mbeya Region?<\/h3>\n

                Mbeya city is the largest, followed by Katumba and Tukuyu in Rungwe, Kyela and Ipinda in Kyela District, Rujewa and Chimala in Mbarali, and Makongolosi and Matundasi in Chunya. The district lists above name several hundred smaller villages.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                Mbeya Region (Swahili: Mkoa wa Mbeya) sits in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania, on the road and rail corridor that runs from Dar es Salaam to the Zambian border. The 2022 census recorded a population of 2,343,754, which makes it the twelfth largest of Tanzania’s 31 regions. Its capital is the city of Mbeya, and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_titles_title":"Mbeya Region: Districts, Towns & Villages, Tanzania","_seopress_titles_desc":"Mbeya Region: 7 districts, 2022 census population 2,343,754, capital Mbeya city. Full list of towns and villages by district, plus geography and roads.","_seopress_robots_index":"","_seopress_robots_follow":"","_seopress_robots_imageindex":"","_seopress_robots_snippet":"","_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_robots_breadcrumbs":"","_seopress_robots_freeze_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_custom_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_canonical":"","_seopress_social_fb_title":"","_seopress_social_fb_desc":"","_seopress_social_fb_img":"","_seopress_social_fb_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_height":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_title":"","_seopress_social_twitter_desc":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_height":0,"_seopress_redirections_value":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled_regex":"","_seopress_redirections_logged_status":"","_seopress_redirections_param":"","_seopress_redirections_type":0,"_seopress_analysis_target_kw":"","_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-58","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-tanzania","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/townsvillages.com\/tanzania\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/townsvillages.com\/tanzania\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/townsvillages.com\/tanzania\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/townsvillages.com\/tanzania\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/townsvillages.com\/tanzania\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=58"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/townsvillages.com\/tanzania\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":90,"href":"https:\/\/townsvillages.com\/tanzania\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58\/revisions\/90"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/townsvillages.com\/tanzania\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=58"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/townsvillages.com\/tanzania\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=58"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/townsvillages.com\/tanzania\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=58"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}