The Garden Route is Named the Best Road Trip in the World

South Africa’s famed Garden Route has officially been named the best road trip in the world, achieving a staggering score of 90.6 out of 100 in a global study by Autotrader. This iconic stretch of paradise outperformed road trip routes worldwide based on the following:

• Road Quality: The Garden Route has well-maintained roads, ensuring a smooth ride. 
• Scenery: A diverse landscape where mountains, rivers, and oceans converge. 
• Driving Conditions: High scores in visibility, temperature, and weather conditions.
  

If you’re looking for road trip ideas, stop scrolling! Stretching roughly 300 km from Mossel Bay to Storms River, the route makes for an exceptional road trip. Popular highlights include the scenic Knysna Heads, Tsitsikamma National Park, and a dramatic mix of indigenous forests, deep gorges, and rugged coastline, where the Outeniqua Mountains meet the Indian Ocean. 

Read on to discover why this iconic South African coastline was named the best road trip in the world. 

Garden Route National Park

At the centre of the route lies the Garden Route National Park (GRNP), which preserves the magic of the region across three distinct sections: Wilderness, Knysna, and Tsitsikamma. From rugged cliffs to hidden coves and scenic lakes, the park offers endless opportunities for the adventurous. 

It’s a haven for nature lovers and features several campsites for you to set up a base to explore. Activities include hiking, birdwatching, kayaking, and scenic drives. 

Wilderness: Waterways and Forest Escapes

As you drive along the scenic N2 highway, the landscape softens into a mesmerising network of lakes, rivers, and tranquil estuaries. This is the Wilderness section of the Garden Route National Park. 

Wilderness is defined by its calm, reflective waterways, expansive wetlands, and dense, emerald-green indigenous forests. The Outeniqua Mountains are on one side, while the warm Indian Ocean is on the other. It’s a sanctuary for those seeking peace near the water. 

Some top activities include: 

• Canoeing the Touw River: Rent a canoe and paddle your way up the serene waters of the Touw River. As you glide deeper into the national park, the river narrows, the coastal bush gives way to towering yellowwood trees, and the sound of civilisation is replaced by the call of the wild.
• Birding: Wilderness is an absolute paradise for birdwatchers. Keep your eyes peeled for the flash of crimson and green belonging to the elusive Knysna turaco (lourie), or sit quietly in one of the bird hides along the lakes to spot rare kingfishers, herons, and African fish eagles.
• Mountain Biking: For those who prefer two wheels, Wilderness boasts a variety of thrilling mountain biking trails. These tracks wind through forest canopies and overlook the expansive lakes, offering routes suitable for both casual riders and seasoned adrenaline junkies.

To truly immerse yourself in this peaceful environment, look no further than the iconic forest cabins nestled right along the riverbanks. Waking up to the sound of flowing water, stepping out onto a private wooden deck enveloped by morning mist, and enjoying a cup of coffee while surrounded by pristine nature is an experience that no luxury hotel can match.

Knysna: Magical Forests and Marine Wonders

Continuing east on your road trip Garden Route South Africa map, you will encounter the historic town of Knysna. Famous for its magnificent tidal lagoon and the towering sandstone cliffs known as the Knysna Heads. This section of the best road trip in the world seamlessly blends marine conservation with ancient forest mythology. 

The region is an ecological paradise, protecting a massive, delicate estuarine environment that opens up into the ocean, as well as deep, sprawling forest reserves that feel older than time itself.

Knysna has a wealth of nature-based activities to explore, including: 

• Discovering Thesen Island: Located inside the Knysna estuary, the beautifully designed Thesen Island area is a must-visit. Beyond its charming cafes, this marine space is vital for conservation. It serves as a primary protection zone for the critically endangered Knysna seahorse – the world’s only true estuarine seahorse species.
• Hiking the Diepwalle Forest Trails: Step away from the coastline and head up into the mountains to explore the legendary Diepwalle forest. Walking beneath giant Outeniqua Yellowwoods, some of which have stood for over 800 years, is a deeply humbling experience. The forest floor is covered in vibrant ferns, and if you are incredibly quiet, you might find yourself walking the same paths once trodden by the mysterious, elusive Knysna elephants.
• Scenic Viewpoints: Drive up to the Eastern Head viewpoint for a jaw-dropping, panoramic gaze across the treacherous channel where the wild ocean forces its way into the calm lagoon.

Tsitsikamma Section: Where the Forest Meets the Sea

For many road trippers, the climax of the entire journey lies where the land becomes wilder, bolder, and completely untamed. The Tsitsikamma Section is an absolute powerhouse of dramatic coastal scenery, where churning blue waves violently crash against ancient, dark storm-weathered rocks. 

“Tsitsikamma” is a Khoisan word meaning “place of much water”, and it lives up to its name perfectly. Here, dramatic coastal cliffs drop directly into the roaring sea, and deep, dramatic river gorges slice through the landscape to meet the ocean.

Some top activities here include: 

• The Storms River Mouth Suspension Bridge: This is the definitive, postcard-perfect highlight of the Garden Route. A spectacular walkway suspended just metres above the churning white water of the Storms River Mouth. Walking across this 77 m long bridge gives you a close-up view of the raw, untamed power of the ocean as it collides with the river gorge.
• Coastal Hiking: Tsitsikamma is the starting point for the world-renowned Otter Trail, but day visitors can enjoy shorter, equally stunning coastal hikes. Walk through tunnels of coastal forest, scramble over ancient rock formations, and discover hidden tidal pools teeming with marine life.
• Marine Adventures: For a different perspective, take a guided kayak or lilo tour straight into the deep, quiet caverns of the Storms River gorge, looking up at the towering cliffs above you.

Honorable Mention: Rooted In Time Self-Drive 4×4 Trail

The deep and mysterious forests of the park include many secrets, sites, and stories. All of which can be explored on a self-drive adventure. The Rooted In Time route takes you through a half-day meander through Diepwalle and Gouna Forests. Carve your path through the trees and stand in awe at some of the most breathtaking mountaintops in the country. 

As the name suggests, the trail was designed to showcase the cultural and natural history of the Knysna forest. It features ten specific stops of interest, each marked with interpretative boards. This includes: 

• Historic Landmarks: The histories of families who lived and worked in these forests. Step back in time at the Forests Legends Museum at Diepwalle Forest and visit Old Forester’s house and Old Suzie, a steam engine once used for timber. 
• The Knysna Elephants: Seek insights into the lives of the once-legendary, elusive, free-ranging elephants of the Knysna Forests. Although they were once plentiful, there is currently only one mysterious female affectionately known as Oupoot (meaning Old Foot) or Strangefoot. She is believed to be the last survivor of the Knysna forest elephants. 

“Like a huge, grey rock moving slowly through the foliage with the two massive tusks curving gracefully upwards. As thick as a man’s body where they bulged from their sockets… He saw the elephant stop close by the stinkwood tree, his trunk coming up and searching the air before he disappeared into the underbrush again.” – Dalene Matthee, South African Author

• The Giant Tree: Deep in the forest you’ll come across the King Edward VII Big Tree, an 800-year-old, 40 m tall Outeniqua yellowwood.  

This self-drive trail offers a profound connection to the ancient history and natural wonders of the Knysna forest. Be sure to keep it in the back of your mind when considering your ideas for a road trip along the Garden Route. 

How to Plan the Perfect Garden Route Road Trip

The award-winning Garden Route deserves an equally brilliant itinerary. To ensure your journey is seamless, keep these expert tips in mind. 

Best Time to Go

While the Garden Route can be considered a year-round destination, the best time to go is during the summer and autumn months (February to April). During these late summer and early autumn months, the weather is warm, and there is little to no rain. Alternatively, if you want to witness the forests and fynbos bursting into vibrant life, spring (September and October) is an equally magical time to visit. 

Best Vehicle for the Journey

While the roads are beautifully paved, choosing the right rental vehicle can completely transform your experience. We highly recommend booking a compact or full-size SUV for this trip. The raised driving position gives you a much better vantage point over the coastal barriers. On the other hand, packing cooler boxes, hiking boots, camera gear, and suitcases requires space. An SUV ensures you aren’t cramped during longer drives. If you plan to take on the Rooted in Time trail, a 4×4 hire is needed. 

The Road is Calling

There is a distinct reason why this stretch of South African coastline outranked every other scenic drive on the planet and remains the best road trip in the world. Stop searching for road trip ideas, and choose this one! Whether you are seeking the tranquillity of a forest cabin or the thrill of a coastal hike, there has never been a better time to experience the world’s ultimate road trip right here in South Africa.

Are you ready to take your Garden Route road trip idea to the next level? Contact our vehicle experts and get planning today!