2 Tourists Dead in Kruger National Park, Chilling Details Make South Africa Suspect Foul Play

2 Tourists Dead in Kruger National Park, Chilling Details Make South Africa Suspect Foul Play

  • The Kruger National Park alerted the public about the death of two tourists who went missing in the South African national park
  • The pair who went missing on 20 May 2026 were found alive again, and the circumstances left authorities baffled
  • SANParks released the details about the deceased tourists after they were found near Cross Corner at the intersection of the Levubu and the Limpopo River

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Kruger National Park finds dead tourists in river
Kruger National Park announced the discovery of dead tourists in river. Image: Kelly / Pexels
Source: UGC

An incident in Kruger National Park left the Kruger National Park management looking for answers regarding tourists who arrived on 17 May 2026 and disappeared soon after. Kruger National Park Rangers were on high alert in search of the two when they failed to return to their campsite on 20 May. SANParks management emphasises the odd nature of the disappearances that concluded on 23 May 2026.

According to the SAPS, the tourists who went missing were found in the Kruger National Park under the Masisi policing area in the Vhembe District, and both were deceased after stab wounds. Kruger National Park Rangers also noted that the tourists' vehicle was nowhere to be found following the discovery of their bodies. SAPS released details identifying the victims as a 71-year-old man and a female, yet to be identified. Police revealed they were using a green Ford Ranger, which remains missing. Police opened investigations into murder and hijacking. See details by SAPS below:

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Kruger National Park backs tourist's families

The South African national park pledged to show the next of kin of the people who died extensive support. The families will be assisted with the cost of transport, accommodation and repatriation. Authorities admitted that the deaths of the tourists, seemingly by murder, were the first time in the history of the Kruger National Park anything similar had happened.

South Africans convinced Kruger National Park deaths were criminals
South Africans were convinced the Kruger National Park deaths were not because of animals. Image: Theo Topolevsky
Source: UGC

Warrick Prime was convinced of foul play:

"It's clear that they were murdered. Animals don't know how to drive."

Tony Martingano also felt it was obvious that criminals were involved:

"And I suppose the animals stole their vehicle?"

Michelle Bergh felt the pair met a terrible end:

"If only it were the animals, their territory, criminals again."

Lesley Ann Morton Keightley defended the tourists from unfair assumptions:

"Animals don't know how to drive! It's unfair to make the supposition that they were outside their vehicle taking photos. It's very tragic."

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Jeroen Jansen remarked:

"Their car was gone, meaning it was humans, not animals."

Paula Oelofse commented:

"They where robbed and killed. Don't blame the animals."

Other Briefly News stories about fatal incidents

Source: Briefly News

Authors:
Rutendo Masasi avatar

Rutendo Masasi (Weekend Entertainment and Human Interest editor) Rue Masasi is a Human Interest and Entertainment writer at Briefly News who graduated with a BA (Hons) in English from Rhodes University in 2018. Rue also has 4 years of experience in journalism and over four years of experience as an online ESL teacher. She has also passed a set of training courses by Google News Initiative. You can reach her via email: rutendo.masasi@briefly.co.za