Umkhanyakude District Municipality is situated in the north-eastern region of KwaZulu-Natal. The district extends from Mtubatuba (St Lucia) in the south to Kosi Bay in the north, across to the Lubombo Mountains in the west. The district is strategically linked to the provincial markets of KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga and to the neighbouring market of Swaziland.

Umkhanyakude District Municipality consists of the local municipalities of: Jozini, Mtubatuba, uMhlabuyalingana and Big 5 Hlabisa.

Rich and Diverse Tourism
The Big 5 Hlabisa Municipality is in one of the world’s richest tourism areas. Renowned game and nature reserves such as St Lucia, Hluhluwe/iMfolozi and Mkuze are located here. Easily accessible off the N2 National Route, it incorporates part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park and is the starting point of the Lubombo Spatial Development Initiative corridor, which links Hluhluwe to Mozambique. The town of Hluhluwe, which contains major shopping and light servicing facilities, as well as the municipal offices, services the municipality.

The Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve, located 280km north of Durban is the oldest proclaimed park in Africa. The reserve consists of 960km² of hilly topography in central Zululand and is known for its wildlife conservation efforts. The north eastern parts of the municipality are occupied by densely settled rural traditional communities.

Natural Beauty
The Jozini Municipality borders Swaziland and Mozambique. The Lebombo Mountains and Makhatini Flats provide a beautiful terrain, which includes water features and fossil sites. Both Ndumo and Mkuze Game Reserves can be found straddling the borders of the municipality.

Jozini town is the access point for northern Maputaland. The business centre is situated close to the Pongolapoort Dam, better known as the Jozini Dam, one of the largest in South Africa. The dam draws its water from the Pongolo River, which is the principal river of Maputaland. The Pongola River, in its path to the sea, supports a large population of fish, crocodiles and hippos, as well as the people of the area, it is an integral part of the economy of the region.

Tourism has been prioritised as the major economic development opportunity and its success is dependent on local community initiatives.

Administrative Centre
Mtubatuba Municipality is situated along the northern coastal belt of KwaZulu-Natal and is the most urbanised local municipality. Mtubatuba town and St Lucia are the main towns within the district. Mtubatuba town is a strong sub regional commercial, service, transport, and administrative centre for the entire north eastern Zululand region.

District Management Area
Umhlabuyalingana Municipality comprises several District Management Areas that fall under the municipal jurisdiction of the district as well as the urban settlements of Manguzi, Mbazwana, Mseleni, Sikhamelele and Mboza. Umhlabuyalingana.

Tourism is increasingly contributing to the local economy. The entire coastal strip is administered by the greater iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority.

CONTACT DETAILS
Physical Address: Harlingen No. 13433, Kingfisher Road, Mkuze, KwaZulu-Natal
Postal Address: P.O. Box 449 Mkuze, 3965
Tel: +27 (0)35 573 8600
E-mail: communications@ukdm.gov.za
Website: www.ukdm.gov.za