Why the Garden Route is the Best Road Trip in the World

There are famous drives: the Pacific Coast Highway, the Great Ocean Road, Route 66. But for my money, and for the money of every traveller who lands up at our off-grid homestead after driving it, the Garden Route in South Africa takes the crown. It is not just about the scenery, though the scenery is world-class. It is about the rhythm of the trip—the way the forest meets the sea, the mountains drop into lagoons, and every 30 minutes you can stop for something completely different: a whale, a craft brewery, a hike to a waterfall, or a biltong and cheese toastie at a farm stall.

The Perfect Driving Pace

From Mossel Bay to Storms River, the route is only about 200 kilometres. That sounds short, but it is not a drive you rush. The N2 winds through the Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma mountains, with side roads that beg to be explored. You can do it in a day, but the real magic happens when you take four or five. Each town has its own character: Knysna’s lagoon and oyster farms, Plettenberg Bay’s beaches and surf, Nature’s Valley’s quiet forest stillness. And then there is Wilderness, our home base, where the river meets the sea and the hiking trails are empty on a Tuesday morning.

What Makes It Special

• The diversity: In one morning you can paddle a river, walk through ancient yellowwood forest, and stand on a cliff overlooking the Indian Ocean.
• The food: Fresh oysters in Knysna, artisanal cheese in Sedgefield, craft gin in Wilderness, and the best fish and chips at a roadside shack in Plettenberg Bay.
• The wildlife: Whales in season (June to November), dolphins surfing the waves, bushbuck crossing the road, and if you are lucky, a Knysna turaco flashing its red wings in the canopy.
• The stops: The Map of Africa viewpoint near Wilderness, the suspension bridge at Storms River, the Robberg Nature Reserve walk, and the countless waterfalls you can pull over and swim under.

Real Tips for the Road

Drive the route from west to east. That way you are on the ocean side of the road for the best views. Bring a towel—you will swim at least three times a day. And pack for all seasons: one day can bring sun, wind, and a soft drizzle, especially in spring. If you are travelling with a dog, you are in luck. Many of the beaches and trails in the Wilderness area are dog-friendly, and our homestead is a haven for four-legged travellers who need a good run after a long day in the car.

Where to Stay

Skip the chain hotels. Book into a place with soul. At Wildfarm Homestead, we are a working off-grid farm in the hills above Wilderness. Solar power, mountain views, horses in the paddock, and a farm kitchen that serves honest, home-cooked meals. You wake up to birdsong, not traffic. From here, the best of the Garden Route is on your doorstep, but you will not want to leave the stoep. It is the kind of place that makes you slow down—which, in the end, is what this road trip is really about.

So yes, the Garden Route is the best road trip in the world. Not because of the postcard moments, but because it changes your pace. It reminds you that the journey is the destination, and that the best memories are made between the stops. Come see for yourself. Book a bed at our homestead and take the slow road home.

Wildfarm Homestead — 2026-09-07