The Rainbow Route is an alternative route to the coast, starting in Mpumalanga and passing through Paulpietersburg, Vryheid, Melmoth, and Piet Retief, ending in the town of Mtunzini. Paulpietersburg is only a three and a half hour drive from Johannesburg and Durban, and is a popular destination among visitors to the area because of the nine hot and cold mineral water pools found at the Natal Spa, a short distance outside of town. The spa is fed by a natural, hot spring that surfaces on the southern approaches to the one thousand five hundred and sixty three meter high Dumbe Mountain.

The Rainbow route is sure to appeal to cultural enthusiasts, and visitors with a special interest in nature and history. The route follows the path of the voortrekkers, as well as giving interesting insights into the rites and rituals of the proud Zulu nation. The Rainbow Route takes visitors through awe inspiring countryside, stopping at historic locations along the way, while allowing them to witness unforgettable experiences of an increasingly changing country. The route will inform, educate and entertain travelers throughout.

The route provides travelers with a generally scenic drive, and is ideal for families on long distance vacations. There are numerous caravan parks and other forms of accommodation along the way, as well as a variety of interesting tourist attractions and eating places. For those with a little more time to spend, the various museums along the route provide a treasure trove of local history and culture.

Destinations featured along the route include Mtunzini, which is the home of the Raphia Palm and the only nesting area of the extremely rare Palmnut Vulture. Mtunzini was also the home of John Dunn, who was the only white Zulu chief in the history of the Zulu nation, and the founder of the town. Another popular destination along the Rainbow Route is the town of Eshowe, home to the imposing white, three turreted Fort Nongqayi, which was built to House the Nongqayi, the unique Zulu Police Force. Today Fort Nongqayi houses the Zululand Historical Museum.

Also featured is Babanango, which is is the highest village in Zululand, and an excellent place from which visitors and history enthusiasts can explore the battlefields of the KwaZulu-Natal hinterland. Babanango is also on the Zululand Birding Route, which consists of a network of 14 self-drive routes with over 600 recorded species of bird. The route is focused on conserving these birds and their habitats by promoting and developing birding tourism.

The Melmoth area is known as the mist belt because the escarpment causes the moisture laden winds which blow from the sea to rise and condense. Melmoth has been said to have the cleanest air in the country, making it an ideal, though slightly cold destination for outdoor activities.

At Ulundi visitors can view the monument and grave of Piet Retief and his party of Voortrekkers who were executed on Dingaan's orders in 1838, as well as the Ulundi Battle Monument and the kraal of Cetshwayo.