Umkhanyakude District Municipality covers the far north-east of KwaZulu-Natal, bordering Mozambique and
eSwatini. Its member municipalities had a combined 2022 census population of 738,437, up from 625,846 in
2011, over roughly 12,700 km². The district includes the iSimangaliso Wetland Park and much of the
Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park, KwaZulu-Natal’s best-known conservation areas.
Local Municipalities in Umkhanyakude
The district’s two former local municipalities, Big 5 False Bay and Hlabisa, merged into Big Five
Hlabisa in the 2016 boundary changes, reducing the district from five local municipalities to four.
| Municipality | Seat | 2022 pop. |
|---|---|---|
| Big Five Hlabisa | Hlabisa | 131,755 |
| Jozini | Jozini | 199,153 |
| Mtubatuba | Mtubatuba | 215,869 |
| uMhlabuyalingana | Kwangwanase | 191,660 |
Major Towns
The district’s largest named places by population, drawn from its member municipalities:
| Place | Type | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Mtubatuba | Seat | 33,182 |
| Kgwaripe | Town | 11,519 |
| Manguzi | Town | 5,534 |
| eMkhuze | Town | 5,288 |
| Hluhluwe | Seat | 4,588 |
| Hlabisa | Seat | 2,958 |
| Randgate | Town | 1,903 |
| Ingwavuma | Town | 1,561 |
| Thembalethu | Town | 1,471 |
| Saint Lucia | Town | 1,322 |
| Hlalanathi | Town | 1,281 |
Geography
Umkhanyakude stretches from the Lebombo Mountains on the Mozambique and eSwatini borders down to the Indian Ocean coast at St Lucia, taking in wetlands, game reserves and irrigated farmland around the Pongolapoort Dam. It borders King Cetshwayo District to the south.
Economy
Conservation tourism — iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park and Tembe Elephant Park — is
the district’s main growth sector alongside irrigated farming around the Pongolapoort Dam; most rural
wards depend on subsistence agriculture, and the district remains one of KwaZulu-Natal’s poorest.
Traditional leaders (amakhosi) administer customary land across nearly all of Umkhanyakude’s rural
wards. The district’s road network runs mainly along the N2 corridor between Hluhluwe and the Mozambique
border, with the R22 serving the coastal and Kosi Bay areas.
Demographics
Population grew from 625,846 in 2011 to 738,437 in 2022, up about 17%, with growth concentrated around
Mtubatuba and the coastal tourism corridor near St Lucia.
FAQ
How many local municipalities make up Umkhanyakude District?
Four: Big Five
Hlabisa, Jozini, Mtubatuba and uMhlabuyalingana.
What is Umkhanyakude District’s population?
738,437 people at the 2022 census.
What conservation areas does the district include?
iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park and Tembe Elephant Park.
Which province is Umkhanyakude District in?
KwaZulu-Natal.
What is Umkhanyakude District’s total area?
Roughly 12,700 km² across its four member municipalities.
Which district municipality did Umkhanyakude replace?
None by name — it kept the Umkhanyakude name throughout, unlike neighbouring King Cetshwayo (formerly uThungulu).
What was Umkhanyakude District’s 2011 population?
625,846 people, on roughly 12,700 km².