Mangochi - City of Malawi

Mangochi is a township in the Southern Region of Malawi. Located near the southern end of Lake Malawi, in colonial times it used to be called Fort Johnston. As of 2008 it has a population of 51,429.

Mangochi was founded by colonial administrator Sir Harry Johnston in the 1890s as a British colonial defense post on the littoral plain of the Shire River's western shore. After this, Fort Johnston – as the town was then known – was an important slave market and administrative center.

The British gunboat Gwendolen was built in Mangochi in 1897. At 340 short tons , it was the largest ship to sail on Lake Malawi until being scrapped shortly after World War II. The gunboat, operated by the Protectorate of Nyasaland, scored an early success in World War I when it defeated the German vessel Hermann von Wissmann in August 1914.

Rioting in June 2003 injured three people. From March to November 2007, roughly 480 children were "rescued" from child labor on tobacco farms in Mangochi. In July 2008, elephants terrorised areas around Maldeco Fisheries in Mangochi and caused several deaths and damage to property, mainly crops. The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Culture proposed moving the elephants into several game reserves, although the proposal stalled when some residents said they wanted the elephants to remain.

Yao, specifically of the Mangochi dialect, is the main language spoken in this town. A Swahili settlement was also established in Mangochi.[10] Mangochi is mainly inhabited by the Yao people.

Mangochi is home to a large mosque as well as a modern Catholic Cathedral.

Mangochi is described by Lonely Planet as having a "vaguely Swahili feel", with "palm trees, Arab-looking people and coconuts for sale in the street." There are several guesthouses and lodges for tourists in Mangochi. Pranay B. Gupte suggested staying at the Nkopola Lodge, where one can swim, fish, and sail.