It is strategically located on the R66 between Ulundi (55Km) and Pongola, and the R618 between Hlabisa at the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park and Hlobane, near Vryheid. Durban is 300km south. The Black Umfolozi River flows about 15km south of town. The town serves as a marketplace for the surrounding rural areas. Nongoma is surrounded by international tourism attractions such as the iSimangaliso Wetland Park to the east, and by natural tourism attractions such as the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve to the south. In addition to this, the current King of the Zulu nation resides in Nongoma, and therefore the municipality is considered as the Heart of the Zulu Kingdom (IHlalankosi).