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Mtwara, Tanzania

Mtwara · Tanzania

Mtwara is a large city in Mtwara, Tanzania with a population of 140,793. Elevation: 69 ft (21 m). Average temperature: 79°F (26°C).

Data updated June 2026

140,793 Population 449/sq mi density
69 ft Elevation 21 meters
79°F Avg Temperature 26°C
42.7 in Annual Rain
Africa / Dar es Salaam Timezone

Discover Mtwara, Tanzania

Explore over 40 sections covering people, economy, housing, health, crime, climate, community, costs, trends, schools, colleges, hospitals, treatment centers, industries, museums, libraries, breweries, farmers markets, grocery stores, pharmacies, campgrounds, parks, trails, stadiums, ski resorts, daycare centers, nursing homes, churches, fire stations, cell towers, bridges, power plants, EV stations, prisons, radio stations, airports, police stations, post offices, Amtrak stations, superfund sites, UNESCO sites, and more.
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Full City Profile

About Mtwara

Mtwara

Mtwara is the capital city of Mtwara Region in southeastern Tanzania. In the 1940s, it was planned and constructed as the export facility for the disastrous Tanganyika groundnut scheme, but was somewhat neglected when the scheme was abandoned in 1951. The city is spread out over a large area planned to accommodate up to 200,000 people. The present population is around 141,000. As part of the development associated with the failed Tanganyika groundnut scheme, Mtwara features a deep-water port that can accommodate ocean-going vessels, and a range of large municipal buildings, including a post office. Recent improvements in the port made it possible for big container ships to berth there.

People

Population140,793
Density449/mi²

Climate

Avg Temp79°F (26°C)
Rain42.7 in/yr
Sunny Days259/yr
Elevation69 ft (21 m)
Population140,793
Population Density449 / sq mi
Elevation69 ft (21 m)
Coordinates-10.2667°, 40.1833°
TimezoneAfrica/Dar_es_Salaam
Country🇹🇿 Tanzania
State / ProvinceMtwara
Average Temperature79°F (26°C)
January Average81°F (27°C)
July Average76°F (24°C)
Annual Precipitation42.7 inches (1,084 mm)
Annual Snowfall0.0 inches (0 cm)

About Mtwara

Mtwara is a large city in Tanzania (Mtwara) with a population of 140,793. The city sits at an elevation of 69 feet (21 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 79°F (26°C). Temperatures range from 81°F in January to 76°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 42.7 inches. The timezone is Africa/Dar_es_Salaam.

Climate in Mtwara

Mtwara has an average annual temperature of 26.2°C (79°F). The hottest month is Jan (27.6°C), the coldest is Jul (24.4°C). Average annual precipitation is 1049 mm.

Month Avg °C / °F Min / Max °C Rain (mm)
Jan 27.6°C / 82°F 24° / 31.1° 159.8
Feb 27.2°C / 81°F 23.5° / 30.8° 196.0
Mar 27.2°C / 81°F 23.1° / 31.4° 241.3
Apr 26.7°C / 80°F 22.7° / 30.7° 151.3
May 26°C / 79°F 21.5° / 30.4° 53.9
Jun 24.9°C / 77°F 20° / 29.8° 9.8
Jul 24.4°C / 76°F 19.3° / 29.5° 8.5
Aug 24.5°C / 76°F 19° / 30° 12.2
Sep 25.2°C / 77°F 19.3° / 31° 11.9
Oct 25.8°C / 78°F 20.8° / 30.9° 32.8
Nov 27°C / 81°F 22.4° / 31.6° 51.6
Dec 27.6°C / 82°F 23.7° / 31.5° 120.2
Mtwara has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 79°F (26°C). Winters average 81°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 259 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 42.7 inches. The city sits at an elevation of 69 feet.

Temperature

81°F Jan (27°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average79.2°F
47% above Tanzania avg
January Average81°F (27°C)
July Average76°F (24°C)
Sunny Days259 days/yr

Geography

Elevation69 ft (21 m)
Area313.4 sq mi (811.6 km²)
Population Density449/sq mi
Coordinates-10.2667°N, 40.1833°W
TimezoneAfrica/Dar_es_Salaam

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 42.7"
12% above Tanzania avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Apr) 8.03"
Driest Month (Aug) 0.47"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

14 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M5.3. Most recent: M4.4 on May 18, 2025.

Aug 3, 2010 56 km N of Mbekenyera, Tanzania M5.3 149 km
Apr 12, 2016 127 km ESE of Madimba, Tanzania M5.2 148 km
Jan 4, 2005 74 km E of Madimba, Tanzania M5.0 91 km
Mar 29, 2017 86 km ENE of Mocímboa, Mozambique M5.0 122 km
Jan 4, 2005 127 km E of Madimba, Tanzania M5.0 144 km
Sep 1, 1991 110 km ESE of Madimba, Tanzania M4.8 132 km
Feb 4, 1995 110 km ESE of Madimba, Tanzania M4.6 132 km
Jun 9, 2015 109 km E of Madimba, Tanzania M4.6 125 km
May 18, 2025 119 km ESE of Madimba, Tanzania M4.4 140 km
Jun 17, 2023 116 km E of Madimba, Tanzania M4.4 133 km
Apr 30, 2019 17 km ENE of Nachingwea, Tanzania M4.3 139 km
Jan 2, 2023 139 km NNE of Mtwara, Tanzania M4.3 140 km
Jul 5, 2008 106 km ENE of Mocímboa, Mozambique M4.1 146 km
Jul 25, 2002 122 km ESE of Madimba, Tanzania M4.0 142 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Hurricane History

3 hurricanes (Cat 1+) within 500 km since 1980. Strongest: Category 4.

Year Name Category Closest
2024 Hidaya Category 1 264 km
2019 Kenneth Category 4 218 km
1996 Doloresse Category 1 243 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Cat 1+, 1980-2026)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 81°F (27°C) 6.6 in
February 82°F (28°C) 6.0 in
March 81°F (27°C) 7.7 in
April 81°F (27°C) 8.0 in Wettest
May 79°F (26°C) 3.0 in
June 77°F (25°C) 0.8 in
July 76°F (24°C) 0.8 in Coldest
August 76°F (24°C) 0.5 in Driest
September 77°F (25°C) 0.6 in
October 79°F (26°C) 1.0 in
November 81°F (27°C) 2.5 in
December 82°F (28°C) 5.3 in Warmest

Mtwara has a seasonal temperature swing of 6°F / from 76°F in July to 82°F in December. Total annual precipitation is 42.7 inches, with April being the wettest month (8.0") and August the driest (0.5").

View full weather details →

Colleges & Universities in Mtwara

Institution Type Founded Website
Mikindani Fisheries Education Training Agency College - ,
Mtwara Teacher's College College - ,
Vocational Education and Training Authority College - ,

Schools in Mtwara

62+ public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).

School Level Enrollment Teachers Student/Teacher
Majengo Primary School - - - -
Mangamba Primary School - - - -
Majengo Primary School - - - -
Magomeni Primary School - - - -
Maendeleo Primary School - - - -
Lilungu Primary School - - - -
Ligula Primary School - - - -
Lahaleo Primary School - - - -
Kwale Primary School - - - -
Kambarage Primary School - - - -
Chuno Primary School - - - -
Chikongola Primary School - - - -
Mkubiru Primary School - - - -
Likonde Primary School - - - -
Ufukoni Primary School - - - -
Mivinjeni Primary School - - - -
Mangoela Primary School - - - -
Likonde Primary School - - - -
Lahaleo Primary School - - - -
Kambarage Primary School - - - -
Mangamba Primary School - - - -
Majengo Primary School - - - -
King-David Primary School - - - -
Maendeleo Primary School - - - -
Shangani Primary School - - - -
Medi Primary School - - - -
Ziwani Primary School - - - -
CALL AND VISION SECONDARY SCHOOL - - - -
Sabasaba Secoundary School - - - -
Ocean Secondary School - - - -
Rahaleo Secondary School - - - -
Tandika Primary School - - - -
Mikindani Secondary School - - - -
MEDI English Medium - - - -
Mitengo Secondary School - - - -
Sabodo Secondary School - - - -
Shangani Secondary School - - - -
Call and Vision Secondary School - - - -
Chino primary school - - - -
Chuno Secondary School - - - -
Mtwara Technical Secondary School - - - -
Ziwani Primary School - - - -
Naumbu Primary School - - - -
Nambeleketela Primary School - - - -
Msangamkuu Primary School - - - -
Mnomo Primary School - - - -
Ufukoni Primary School - - - -
Mikindani secondary school - - - -
Singino Primary School - - - -
Shangani Primary School - - - -
Namayanga Primary School - - - -
Naliendele Primary School - - - -
Mtawanya Primary School - - - -
Mnaid Primary School - - - -
Mlimani Primary School - - - -
Mkangala Primary School - - - -
Mjimwema Primary School - - - -
Mivinjeni Primary School - - - -
Mitengo Primary School - - - -
Misufini Primary School - - - -
Mikindani Primary School - - - -
Mbae Primary School - - - -
View full schools details →

Farmers Markets in Mtwara

NameAddressSeasonHoursOrganicWebsite
Sokobati Market Area

Hotels in Mtwara

16 hotels within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Beach House
Millenium Hotel
Naf Beach Hotel
Naf Blue View Hotel
Naf Hotel
NAF Hotel
New Smaj's Guest House
Newala Guest House
Pro Rata Guest House
Pro Rata Guest House
Shangani Hotel Residences
The Old Boma
Tiffany Diamond Hotel
VETA Hotel
VETA Hotel and Conference Center
Victoria Hotel

Restaurants in Mtwara

10 restaurants within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Business Village
Good local food
Good local food.
Himo 2 Restaurant
Mr Cafe and Ice Cream
Pemba (Chips and Bites)
Pununge Restaurant
Street Food
The Old Boma Hotel
Vila Park Restaurant

Bus Stations in Mtwara

4 bus stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Minibus to Mosambique Border
Mtwara Bus Station
Mtwara Bus Terminal
Old Mtwara Bus Terminal

Gas Stations in Mtwara

7 gas stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Lake Oil Filling Station
TZ #7001548568
TZ #7001548570
TZ #7003977035
TZ #7003977036
TZ #7007449721
TZ #7007449722

Banks in Mtwara

4 banks within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Bank of America
National Insurance Corperation
NBC Bank
NMB Bank

Stadiums & Teams in Mtwara

TeamLeagueDivision

Airports Near Mtwara

5 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Mtwara AirportMYWMedium Airport
Afungi Airport-Small Airport
Lindi AirportLDISmall Airport
Mikindani Airport-Small Airport
Palma AirportLMZSmall Airport

Churches & Religious Organizations in Mtwara

12 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).

NameAddress
Bible Church
Magomeni Catholic Church
Mikindani Anglican Church
Mtwara Full Gospel Bible Fellowship Church
Mtwara Lutheran Church
Mtwara Pentecostal Church
SDA Church, Shangani West
Seventh Day Adventisters Church
Shangani Parish Church
St. Joseph Catholic Church Shangani
St. Michael Anglican Church
St. Paul Catholic Church

Quick Facts

Timezone
Africa/Dar_es_Salaam
Founded
1971
Website
mtwara.go.tz
Twinned With
Redditch

Around Mtwara

Places within 5 km radius - OpenStreetMap data

Schools 42
Hospitals 4
Restaurants 2
Bars 11
Supermarkets 2
Banks 2
Hotels 9
Parks 9
Fire Stations 1
Places of Worship 11

🇹🇿 About Tanzania

Capital Dodoma
Population 56,318,348
Area 945,087 km²
GDP (USD) $79,030,935,627
GDP per capita $1,224
HDI 0.532
Life expectancy 67.0 years
Internet users 29.1%
Urban population 35.5%
Currency TZS (Shilling)
Languages English, Swahili
Calling code +255
TLD .tz
Driving side left

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Frequently Asked Questions About Mtwara

What is the population of Mtwara?

Mtwara has a population of 140,793 residents and is located in Tanzania. The population density is 449 people per square mile, spread across 313.4 square miles.

What is the weather like in Mtwara?

Mtwara has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 79°F (26°C). Winter temperatures average 81°F in January, while summers reach an average of 76°F in July. The area receives 259 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 42.7 inches.

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