District · KwaZulu-Natal Province
# iLembe District

iLembe District is a district or metropolitan municipality of South Africa in KwaZulu-Natal Province. It had an estimated 636,799 people in 2020 on 3,269 km² (about 195 per km²). It is divided into 4 local municipalities. 101 named villages and localities are recorded here, and 1,211 mapped services such as hospitals, banks and schools.
- 636,799 people (2020)
- 3,269 km²
- 4 local municipalities
- 1,211 mapped services

## How many people live in iLembe District?

iLembe District had an estimated 636,799 people in 2020 — 6.1% of KwaZulu-Natal Province, 34th of 50 districts. There are 1,071 women for every 1,000 men (below the KwaZulu-Natal Province figure of 1,084). Spread over 3,269 km², that is about 195 people per km², 10th of 50 districts.

32.4% of people are children under 15 and 5.6% are 65 or older; the median age is about 25 years (it is 25 across KwaZulu-Natal Province). For every 100 people of working age (15–64) there are 61 children and older people.
- 0–4 69,827
- 5–9 68,408
- 10–14 68,027
- 15–19 61,544
- 20–24 54,231
- 25–29 56,357
- 30–34 55,766
- 35–39 46,171
- 40–44 33,070
- 45–49 26,664
- 50–54 21,676
- 55–59 19,649
- 60–64 19,870
- 65–69 14,308
- 70–74 10,122
- 75–79 5,997
- 80+ 5,112

Source: Statistics South Africa 2016 Community Survey Population via OCHA HDX, population 2020 (COD-PS, CC BY-IGO).

## Where is iLembe District?

iLembe District lies in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. It borders 4 other districts: Umgungundlovu District, Umzinyathi District, Uthungulu District and eThekwini District. By area it is the 46th largest of 52 districts in South Africa. It covers 3.5% of KwaZulu-Natal Province. The centre of iLembe District is about 491 km in a straight line from Pretoria, the capital. It is about 92 km from Pietermaritzburg, the main town of KwaZulu-Natal Province. The centre point is at 29.2408° S, 31.2341° E. Local names: DC29.

Source: South African Municipal Demarcation Board via OCHA HDX, administrative boundaries (COD-AB, CC BY-IGO).

## Things to see in and around iLembe District

OpenStreetMap lists 16 named sights in iLembe District: 6 beachs; 3 attractions; 2 museums; 2 nature reserves; 1 cave; 1 theme park; 1 viewpoint.
- Dukuza Museum · museum
- Luthuli Museum · museum
- Amatikulu Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Harold Johnson Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Granny's Pool · beach
- Salt Rock Beach · beach
- Shaka's Rock · beach
- Sheffield Beach · beach
- Thompson's Beach · beach
- Tiffany's · beach
- Fort Pearson · viewpoint
- Holla Trails (mountainbike) · attraction
- Monkeyland KZN · attraction
- Ultimatum Tree (Anglo-Zulu War) · attraction
- Adventure Valley · theme park
- Sibhudu Cave · cave

Source: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), Geofabrik extract — named settlements.

Named attractions, museums, viewpoints, historic sites and natural features mapped in OpenStreetMap. Places of worship are not listed.

## Know before you go: iLembe District
- Time zone UTC+2, no daylight saving · Africa/Johannesburg
- Currency Rand (ZAR)
- Country calling code +27
- Languages Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, Pedi, English, Tswana
- Plug types Type C, D · 230 V
- Driving side Left
- Postcode format 4 digits (####)

### Nearest airports
- King Shaka International Airport (DUR) · Durban 43 km
- Pietermaritzburg Airport (PZB) · Pietermaritzburg 93 km

### Nearest railway station

KwaDukuza (KwaDukuza), about 13 km from the centre.

### Daylight

Days are longest in Dec (about 14.0 hours, sunrise around 04:50) and shortest in Jun (about 10.3 hours, sunrise around 06:46, sunset around 17:03).

Source: GeoNames country and time-zone files (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0) — plug types, mains voltage, driving side; retrieved 2026-11-03; OurAirports (public domain).

Airports with scheduled passenger flights; straight-line distances. Daylight is calculated for the 15th of each month in local standard time. Check entry and visa rules with official government sources before travelling.

## Local municipalities of iLembe District
| Local municipality | People | per km² | Area km² | Localities | Services |
| KwaDukuza | 290,022 | 395 | 735 | 38 | 695 |
| Mandeni | 140,590 | 258 | 545 | 20 | 189 |
| Ndwedwe | 130,526 | 119 | 1,093 | 35 | 189 |
| Maphumulo | 75,661 | 84 | 896 | 8 | 138 |

Source: South African Municipal Demarcation Board via OCHA HDX, administrative boundaries (COD-AB, CC BY-IGO); Statistics South Africa 2016 Community Survey Population via OCHA HDX, population 2020 (COD-PS, CC BY-IGO).

## Villages and localities in iLembe District

Open gazetteers list 101 villages, towns and localities in iLembe District. The largest with a recorded population: KwaDukuza (161,177), Mandeni (37,533), Ballitoville (27,718), Shakaskraal (27,345), Sundumbili (12,455) and Darnall (10,106). Settlements here lie between about 5 m and 1,126 m above sea level (median 250 m).
- Ashton
- Ballito
- Ballitoville
- Blythedale Beach
- Bonds Drift
- Chakaskraal
- Compensation
- Dalibho
- Darnall
- Doornkloof
- Doringkop
- Dunbarton
- Endlondlweni
- Endulinde
- Erasmus Dam
- Evutha
- Fort Crealock
- Gledhow
- Glen Mill
- Groutville
- Highlands
- Highridge
- Hillandale
- Hlomantethe
- Isinembe
- Kruisfontein
- KwaDukuza
- KwaGcwensa
- KwaIllophe
- KwaMagubane
- KwaMapeyana
- KwaMaqokomela
- KwaMwema
- KwaNgongoma
- KwaNyuswa
- Larkfield
- Lower Tugela
- Macambini
- Magidini
- Makhuluseni
- Mandeni
- Mandini
- Mangeti
- Mapumulo
- Mary Gray
- Melville
- Montebello
- Mount Richmore
- Mtandeni
- Mushane
- Ndwedwe
- New Guelderland
- Newark
- Newspaper
- Nkivane
- Nkunzempunga
- Nsuze
- Ntapuka
- Ntunjambili
- Ocean View
- Otimati
- Saint Andrews
- Salt Rock
- Samungu
- Sanikidge
- Shaka's Head
- Shakaskraal
- Shakaville
- Shaka’s Rock
- Sheffield Beach
- Sigedleni
- Sitebe
- Soberton
- Stanger Heights
- Stanger Manor
- Ston
- Sundumbili
- Tafamasi
- Thrings Post
- Tinley Manor
- Tinley Manor Beach
- Townview
- Tugela
- Tugela Mouth
- UCC Informal
- Umhali
- Umhlali
- Umkhomazi
- Umpumulo
- Umvoti Mouth
- Umyozene
- Upper Tongaat
- Waterfall
- Zimbali
- Zimbali Estate
- Zinkwazi Beach
- eDokodweni
- eMbuyeni
- eNgedleni
- eNyoni
- oGonothini

Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) — settlements, natural and historic features; © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), Geofabrik extract — named settlements.

## Landscape and landmarks of iLembe District

Named natural and historic features inside iLembe District, from the GeoNames gazetteer.

### Water

40 rivers and streams.
- Danqwane
- Debango
- Gudwini
- Hlimbitwa
- Ingongweni
- Jiyana
- Kota
- KwaNomashele
- KwaNongqazi
- Makoyane
- Mambulu
- Manzamhlope
- Mati
- Matigulu
- Mdlotane
- Mhlahlane
- Mhlali
- Mkukuzi
- Mona
- Mpisi
- Mwangala
- Mwemwe
- Nonoti
- Nsuze

…and 16 more.

### Coast and islands

7 beaches.
- Compensation Beach
- Salt Rock Beach
- Stanger Beach
- Tugela Beach
- Umhlali Beach
- Willard’s Beach
- Zinkwazi Beach

### Hills and mountains

34 mountains; 21 hills.
- Noodsberg · 1,037 m
- Kranskop · 984 m
- Monkey Hill · 962 m
- Ozwatini · 938 m
- KwaMatabata · 915 m
- Ntendeni · 907 m
- KwaTulwane · 894 m
- Shabe · 885 m
- Ngudle · 867 m
- KwaNgcongangconga · 855 m
- Sangwana · 846 m
- KwaNontebe · 838 m
- Inyamazane · 821 m
- Situndu · 812 m
- Cameni · 804 m
- Tafelkop · 764 m
- Oqaqeni · 724 m
- Montebe · 720 m
- Die Kop · 698 m
- KwaMakalanga · 688 m
- Nsimba · 687 m
- Mbumbulu · 664 m
- Dibinhlangu · 654 m
- Single Tree · 653 m

…and 31 more.

### History

1 ruin.
- Fort Pearson

### Getting around

10 railway stations; 1 port.
- Compensation
- Durban
- Gledhow
- Groutville
- Mandini
- New Guelderland
- Newark
- Nyoni
- Shakaskraal
- Tugela
- uMhlali

Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) — settlements, natural and historic features.

Places of worship are not listed. Elevations are from the GeoNames terrain model and are approximate.

## Weather in iLembe District and the best time to visit

In iLembe District, the warmest month is Jan (average 24 °C) and the coolest is Jul (15 °C). About 718 mm of rain falls in a year; the wettest month is Jan (95 mm) and the driest Jun (20 mm). The most comfortable months for a visit are January to December.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
| Month | Average °C | Rain mm |
| Jan | 24 | 95 |
| Feb | 24 | 81 |
| Mar | 23 | 75 |
| Apr | 20 | 49 |
| May | 18 | 27 |
| Jun | 15 | 20 |
| Jul | 15 | 26 |
| Aug | 17 | 28 |
| Sep | 19 | 50 |
| Oct | 20 | 78 |
| Nov | 21 | 94 |
| Dec | 23 | 95 |

Source: NASA POWER climatology, retrieved 2026-10-29.

## Hospitals, banks and other services in iLembe District

Places mapped inside iLembe District in open map data, by type — each number opens the full list with locations.
- Hospitals 25
- Banks 52
- ATMs 24
- Petrol pumps 43
- Hotels 110
- Shopping malls 19
- Schools 663
- Colleges and universities 4
- Cinemas 2
- Pharmacies 26
- Restaurants 220
- Police stations 9
- Dental clinics 14

Source: Overture Maps places (CDLA-Permissive-2.0) and © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

Coverage depends on what has been mapped; contact details are not shown.

## Quick answers
- Where is iLembe District? In KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa
- What is the population of iLembe District? 636,799 (2020 estimate)
- What is the median age in iLembe District? About 25 years (2020 estimate)
- What is the population density of iLembe District? About 195 people per km²
- What borders iLembe District? Umgungundlovu District, Umzinyathi District, Uthungulu District and eThekwini District
- What is there to see in iLembe District? Adventure Valley, Amatikulu Nature Reserve, Dukuza Museum, Fort Pearson
- What time zone is iLembe District in? UTC+2
- What currency is used in iLembe District? Rand (ZAR)
- What language is spoken in iLembe District? Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans (main languages nationally)
- How many villages are in iLembe District? 101 named settlements (GeoNames, OpenStreetMap)
- What is the elevation of iLembe District? Settlements lie between 5 m and 1,126 m
- What is the highest point in iLembe District? Noodsberg (1,037 m, GeoNames elevation model)
- What is the best time to visit iLembe District? January to December
- How many hospitals are in iLembe District? 25 mapped
- How many banks are in iLembe District? 52 mapped
- How many ATMs are in iLembe District? 24 mapped
- How many petrol pumps are in iLembe District? 43 mapped
- What is the P-code of iLembe District? ZA529 (OCHA common operational dataset)

At a glance
- Type: District
- Area: 3,269.3 km²
- P-code: ZA529
- Province: KwaZulu-Natal Province

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Canonical: https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/kwazulu-natal/ilembe/ · Updated 2026-11-03 · Data: national censuses and statistics offices (sources named in each section); © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL); Overture Maps; GeoNames; NASA POWER.