Welcome to Highland Meander

The N4 Maputo Corridor which transverses the region from west to east; The R555 from Middelburg and R33 from Emakhazeni (Belfast) which converge at Stoffberg Road in the northwest; are the main connecting roads which form part of the major roads of the municipality.

Emakhazeni Local Municipality is situated in the heart of Mpumalanga Province.  It is bordered by Mbombela Local Municipality on the East and Middelburg Local Municipality on the West.  It is one of the six municipalities that fall within the Nkangala District Municipality.Formed through the amalgamation of 4 former TLCs and 4 former TRCs namely: Belfast, Dullstroom, Machadodorp and Waterval Boven TLC.

The area is a nature lover's paradise, South Africa's premier fly fishing mecca, hosts some of the sub-continent's rarest birds, offers the best rock climbing, and most spectacular wild flower displays - all just two-hours from the metropolitan centres of Gauteng and Mozambique. It is one of seven tourism regions in Mpumalanga and has become a popular tourist destination, attracting nature lovers, fly-fishers and adventure seekers to the mist and scenery of the Trout Triangle area

The area is situated on the highest part of the Steenkampsberg Plateau at approximately 2 072 m above sea level, with the Dullstroom station being the highest point in Mpumalanga. The Suikerboschkop koppies are situated in the west of the area. The landscape declines from the plateau towards the escarpment and the Lowveld to the Mozambique Coast in the east.

There are various rivers and watercourses traversing the area, the most prominent of these being the Crocodile River in the north and Komati River in the south. There are numerous wetlands and sensitive environmental areas associated with these rivers, particularly around Dullstroom. These rivers are also popular for fly fishing, attracting large number of tourists to the area.

There are four Nature Reserves in the area, namely the Tullach-Mohr Reserve on the eastern boundary of the area, the Dullstroom Nature Reserve situated north of Dullstroom and the Verloren Valley Nature reserve situated in the north of Emakhazeni. Lastly the Ntsinini Nature Reserve situated East of Emgwenya (Waterval Boven).

Farming is the dominant economic activity in the Emakhazeni area occupying the largest part of the physical area. Small towns have developed throughout the area, which serve as service centres to the agricultural sector.