Located near the southern end of Lake Malawi, in colonial times it used to be called Fort Johnston.

[4] The gunboat, operated by the Protectorate of Nyasaland, is said to have fought the first naval battle of the First World War when it defeated the German vessel Hermann von Wissmann in August 1914.

[7] From March to November 2007, roughly 480 children were rescued from child labour on tobacco farms in Mangochi.

[8] In July 2008, elephants terrorised areas around Maldeco Fisheries in Mangochi and caused several deaths and damage to property, mainly crops.

[4] An even older exhibit is a marine steam engine that was built in 1898 and powered the Universities' Mission to Central Africa's SS Chauncy Maples until 1953.

Mangochi is home to a clock tower erected in honour of Queen Victoria, dating back to the early 20th century.

[4] 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.