South Africa’s Garden Route Just Earned Another Massive Global Honour

The Garden Route has just been ranked among the world’s most Instagrammable road trips, adding another global title to its growing list of accolades.

South Africa (16 May 2026) – Earlier this year, the Garden Route was officially named the “World’s Best Road Trip” thanks to its near-perfect driving conditions and breathtaking scenery. Now, the iconic South African route has earned another major global nod after being named one of the “World’s Most Instagrammable Road Trips in 2026”.

According to a new study by eCarsTrade, which analysed Instagram hashtag data from 37 famous road trips across six continents, the Garden Route ranked sixth globally with more than 754,000 Instagram hashtags attached to the route and its landmarks.

The study found that travellers are drawn to routes offering dramatic visual contrast and experiences worth sharing long after the drive is over. Norway’s Lofoten Scenic Route took the number one spot with its Arctic fjords and fishing villages, while Route 66 in the United States and Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way rounded out the top three.

But right there among the global greats was South Africa’s beloved Garden Route, representing our coastline, forests, wildlife and natural beauty on a world stage.

Stretching roughly 300 kilometres from Mossel Bay to Storms River, the Garden Route is a drive that feels cinematic from start to finish. Forests fold into mountain passes, waves crash against rugged shorelines and little towns invite you to stop far longer than you originally planned. Earlier this year, a separate global study by Autotrader named the Garden Route the best road trip in the world for driving conditions, giving it an incredible score of 90.6 out of 100. The research looked at factors like visibility, road conditions, wind speed, humidity and temperature comfort to determine which routes offered the most enjoyable driving experience on Earth.

But while the Garden Route is stealing headlines right now, it also sparked a bigger question for us… just how many “Instagrammable” places does South Africa actually have?

The answer is a ridiculous amount.

Back in 2019, South African Tourism launched an ambitious campaign with Travelstart and @SouthAfrica, celebrating 25 years of democracy by highlighting the country’s 25 most Instagrammable destinations. Fifteen local and international Instagrammers travelled across all nine provinces, capturing the beauty, culture and adventure South Africa has to offer.

“South Africa is one of the most photogenic countries on the planet, and I’m incredibly proud to help showcase the beauty of our country with the rest of the world. South Africa is one of the most Instagrammable countries on earth,” commented Craig Rodney from @SouthAfrica.

You can see the full list here, but the top 10 reads like the ultimate South African bucket list.

1. Blyde River Canyon

One of the largest canyons in the world and easily one of South Africa’s most breathtaking views. The dramatic cliffs, lush greenery and endless panoramic scenes make every photo look unreal.

2. Bourke’s Luck Potholes

These naturally carved rock formations look like something from another planet. Swirling pools, layered stone and rushing water create one of the country’s most unique photo spots.

3. God’s Window

The name says it all. On a clear day, you can see for kilometres across the Lowveld towards the Kruger and even Mozambique.

4. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Red dunes, dramatic sunsets and black-maned lions roaming across vast open landscapes make this one of the wildest and most photogenic safari destinations in Africa.

5. Augrabies Falls

Known as the “Place of Great Noise”, these powerful falls thunder through rocky cliffs in spectacular fashion and create incredible photo opportunities from every angle.

6. Table Mountain

Cape Town’s most iconic landmark never disappoints. Whether covered in clouds or glowing at sunset, Table Mountain is one of the most photographed places in the country.

7. Robben Island

A place filled with history, emotion and perspective. Beyond the views back towards Cape Town, Robben Island carries stories that shaped South Africa forever.

8. Cape Point

Towering cliffs, crashing waves and endless ocean views make Cape Point feel cinematic from the moment you arrive.

9. Bo-Kaap

Brightly coloured homes, cobbled streets and rich Cape Malay culture have made Bo-Kaap one of South Africa’s most instantly recognisable photo spots.

10. Kruger National Park

Few things upgrade a camera roll faster than elephants crossing the road, lions in golden light or a giraffe wandering through the bushveld at sunset.

And that’s the thing about South Africa… we’re not just one beautiful destination, yes, the Garden Route is incredible, but we have hundreds, if not thousands, of beautiful places to explore (and take photos of).

You can drive through desert landscapes in the Northern Cape one week and stand beneath lush waterfalls in KwaZulu-Natal the next. You can photograph penguins in the Western Cape, watch elephants crossing roads in Limpopo, explore ancient caves in Gauteng or lose yourself in mountain passes that make you pull over every few kilometres just to stare for a while.

“We live in a creative yet exciting world where images and visuals of beautiful places play a huge part in people’s decision-making when it comes to choosing a holiday destination,” South African Tourism CEO Sisa Ntshona summed it up. 

The truth is, no hashtag count could ever fully capture what it feels like to experience this country properly. But it’s still pretty awesome seeing South Africa recognised alongside the most iconic travel destinations on Earth.

Sources: eCarsTrade | Autotrader | SA Tourism 

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