An elderly couple from Mossel Bay, Dina Marais (73) and Ernst Marais (71), were found dead in Kruger National Park after going missing during what was meant to be a holiday trip.The couple entered the park on 17 May and were last seen alive on Wednesday morning at the Pafuri picnic site in the northern region of the reserve.

When they failed to return to their camp, park staff raised the alarm, prompting an extensive search operation involving rangers, ground teams, and aerial support, including a helicopter.Their bodies were later discovered floating near a river on Friday, 22 May by tourists who alerted authorities.

While initial assumptions suggested that heavy rains and flooding might have swept their vehicle away, the couple’s bakkie has still not been located, raising further concern among investigators.As a result, Limpopo police have widened their investigation to include the possibility of hijacking within the park.Authorities also searched the couple’s property in a wildlife estate in Hoedspruit but found no additional clues.

Forensic teams continue to examine the scene while detectives work to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the deaths and the disappearance of the vehicle.

South African National Parks officials have described the incident as highly unusual, with one minister noting it as unprecedented in the park’s history.

Police have appealed to the public for any information that could assist in locating the missing vehicle or clarifying what happened to the couple during their stay in the park.