It’s official: South Africa’s Garden Route has been crowned the #1 road trip in the world for 2026. In a global study by AutoTrader UK, this coastal stretch outpaced legendary drives like Route 66 and Italy’s Amalfi Coast, scoring a massive 90.6 out of 100.
While the “perfect driving weather” and high visibility were the technical winners, it’s the sheer diversity of the landscape that makes this 300km stretch of the N2 truly unbeatable.
The Gateway: Mossel Bay & George
Your journey begins at the official western gateway, Mossel Bay. This is where history meets adrenaline—you can visit a 15th-century caravel replica at the Dias Museum in the morning and go shark cage diving by the afternoon.
As you head east toward George, the administrative heart of the route, the scenery shifts. Tucked beneath the Outeniqua Mountains, this area is a paradise for golfers and steam-train enthusiasts alike.
Into the Wild: Wilderness & Knysna
Continuing along the coast, you hit Wilderness, a tranquil village defined by its sprawling lagoons and the Touw River. It’s the perfect spot to swap the car for a kayak.
Next up is Knysna, famous for its massive, protected estuary. No trip is complete without standing atop The Heads—two massive sandstone cliffs that guard the entrance to the lagoon—or sampling the town’s world-famous coastal oysters.
The Jewel of the Route: Plettenberg Bay
If there is one town that captures the essence of the Garden Route’s “world-class” status, it is Plettenberg Bay. Known locally as “Plett,” it offers some of the most dramatic coastal hiking on the planet at the Robberg Nature Reserve.
For those looking for a central place to drop their bags, the Bayview Hotel in Plettenberg Bay serves as an ideal base. It’s perfectly positioned to give you easy access to both the town’s vibrant Main Street and the nearby nature sanctuaries like Birds of Eden and Monkeyland. From here, you can watch the sunrise over the Keurbooms River before hitting the road for the final stretch.
The Grand Finale: Tsitsikamma
The route reaches its crescendo at Storms River in the Tsitsikamma National Park. This is where the ancient forests meet the Indian Ocean in spectacular fashion. Whether you’re walking across the iconic suspension bridge or bungee jumping off the Bloukrans Bridge (the world’s highest commercial bridge jump), it’s a fitting end to the world’s greatest drive.
Pro-Tip: The Garden Route is a year-round destination, but if you want that “perfect driving weather” AutoTrader raved about, aim for the South African summer months between November and April.
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