By Simon Nare
South Africa’s famed Garden Route has been named the world’s best road trip, topping a global study with a score of 90.6 out of 100.
The 2026 AutoTrader UK study, conducted with senior meteorologist Jim R N Dale, ranked the roughly 300km coastal stretch between Mossel Bay and Storms River as the top road trip globally.
According to the study, the route stood out for its strong driving conditions, including high visibility, low wind, pleasant temperatures and clear weather, along with its striking scenery of forests, beaches, lagoons and mountains.
The route’s recognition is likely to add to South Africa’s tourism appeal at a time when visitor numbers to the country have been rising.
The route runs through parts of the Western Cape and Eastern Cape and includes the Garden Route National Park at its heart.
SANParks said in a statement on Wednesday that the route came out on top in the international assessment, which considered factors such as weather, temperature, scenery and the overall driving experience.
It said the Garden Route National Park, which spans key sections along the journey, offered a range of nature-based experiences.
“The Wilderness Section, located along the N2, is known for its calm waterways, birdlife, forest cabins, and outdoor activities such as canoeing and mountain biking,” said SANParks.
“The Knysna Section offers access to estuarine and forest environments, with activities including visits to the Thesen Island area to see the endangered Knysna seahorse, as well as forest trails in Diepwalle and scenic viewpoints.”
In the Eastern Cape section of the route, SANParks said the Tsitsikamma area featured rugged coastal scenery at Storms River Mouth, with accommodation options, camping sites, and access to the famous suspension bridge.
The Garden Route National Park, SANParks said, remained a key part of the internationally recognised route, offering diverse landscapes where forests, rivers, mountains, and coastline meet.
Among the adventures on offer along the route are hiking, marine activities and wildlife experiences, with towns such as Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, George, and Wilderness helping to cement its place as one of South Africa’s premier tourism destinations.
