The double murder in the most northern part of the Kruger National Park last week sent shockwaves not only through the country, but also through the rest of the world. The park attracts nearly 1.9 million visitors per year, of whom 20% are international visitors. On various platforms the question was asked: Is it still safe to travel to areas such as Pafuri?
SANParks was quick to respond to the murders, emphasising that it was the first incident of its kind in the 100-year history of the park. Additional risk mitigation measures were immediately implemented across specific areas of concern in the northern region. The measures include deploying additional monitoring and ranger resources in certain areas. Technology will also be used to strengthen surveillance and early-warning capabilities, SANParks said.
The attack on two elderly tourists came as a shock even to those who know the area very well. The Pafuri region is considered one of the safest places in the park. It is an area frequently visited by birdwatchers, as it hosts some rare bird species such as the Pel's fishing owl and the racket-tailed roller.
The drive between the Pafuri picnic spot and Crooks Corner is considered a classic route. The area regularly produces 300-plus species counts over a few days, which is exceptional for any site in South Africa. During peak season, dozens of visitors stop at the Crooks Corner lookout every day, where the Luvuvhu River flows into the Limpopo. From here, visitors can see Zimbabwe to the north and Mozambique to the east.
What happened?
According to SANParks, the Marais couple entered the park on Sunday, 17 May. Ernst Marais (71) and his wife Dina (73) came from Hoedspruit, where they stay during the winter months, while spending the rest of the year at their home in Mossel Bay in the Western Cape.
It was not stated at which camp the couple stayed, but it would probably have been Shingwedzi or, more likely, Punda Maria, which is the northernmost camp with accommodation facilities. They were experienced park visitors who knew the area well.
On Wednesday morning they travelled north and were seen at the Pafuri picnic site. Authorities believe something happened after they left the picnic area. Their cellphone communication reportedly ceased shortly afterwards.
It is quite likely that the Marais couple would have opted to visit Crooks Corner after stopping at the Pafuri picnic site. Normally it is a very scenic drive of around eight kilometres along the Luvuvhu River, but the floods earlier this year washed away parts of this dirt road, and it remains closed to traffic.
The couple probably opted to return to the main road and travel via the tar road leading to the border post. Just before the SAPS station at the Pafuri border post, a road turns left, leading to the lookout point at Crooks Corner, where visitors are allowed to climb out of their vehicles.
The Pafuri area is not known for excessive rainfall, but this year the situation was dramatically different. The far north-eastern parts of Limpopo received somewhere in the range of 500-700mm between January and March alone — potentially exceeding the entire annual average in just three months. This means that a normally semi-arid region is currently lush and green, with dense bush.
It also means that the area offers hiding places for criminals, especially at Crooks Corner. Whereas SANParks staff are normally on duty at the Pafuri picnic site, there are no staff at the more secluded lookout point where the two rivers meet.
A gruesome discovery
When the couple failed to return to their accommodation, camp staff became concerned. SANParks said a search operation was launched on Thursday evening after staff realised the tourists were missing. At that stage, officials initially hoped the couple may have become stranded or suffered a vehicle breakdown.
On Friday afternoon, tourists game-viewing near Crooks Corner reported seeing bodies near the riverbank where the Luvuvhu and Limpopo rivers meet. Rangers and police were alerted.
The bodies of Ernst and Dina Marais were recovered from the river area. Police said both victims had suffered multiple stab wounds to the upper body. The couple's Ford Ranger was also missing, leading police to open cases of murder and hijacking.
Police and SANParks launched a high-priority investigation and manhunt. Preliminary evidence reportedly suggested the vehicle may have crossed illegally into Mozambique through a damaged or unfenced section near the border. Tyre tracks were reportedly found leading towards Mozambique.
The motive for the murders remains unclear. Police confirmed they were investigating possible links to organised poaching or cross-border criminal activity. Several media reports speculated that the couple may have unexpectedly encountered poachers operating in the area. This would, however, have been an extremely counterproductive move for poachers, as drawing attention to their operations by attacking tourists at a frequently visited lookout point would invite exactly the kind of scrutiny they rely on avoiding.
Some believe the killings could have been the work of a car hijacking syndicate, but this too is unlikely. The criminals would have had to travel on foot for dozens of kilometres through the bush before waiting for a suitable victim.
The reality is that two pensioners were brutally killed, and whatever the motive, tourists are now more cautious about venturing to the northern parts of the Kruger.
But is this a safe area?
Over the past year, a number of cases were reported of stolen vehicles recovered near the country's northern border. In February this year, during a multidisciplinary operation in the Masisi area, a Toyota Fortuner and a Nissan Patrol were recovered at the Limpopo River. Both vehicles had been stolen in Gauteng.
Masisi is the closest residential area to Pafuri and is situated just outside the entrance to the park.
Further west, the Madimbo corridor along the Zimbabwe border has been identified by authorities and community members as a known route for smuggling stolen vehicles. The Muswodi area near Niani, outside Musina, has similarly been described as a long-established gateway for hijacked vehicles heading to both Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
However, syndicates rely on vehicles being able to cross the Limpopo River, something that has been almost impossible in recent months with the river running strongly. A route through the Kruger is an unlikely alternative, as criminals would have to either enter through a gate or make their way through dozens of kilometres of dense bush.
The far northern parts of the country — perhaps with the exception of Musina — do not have a problem with surging crime levels. Crime statistics released last week indicate that the situation is fairly stable.
In the Masisi policing area, which is closest to Pafuri, no cases of carjacking were reported between January and March this year. In the previous quarter (October to December 2025) one case was reported. One murder was recorded earlier this year, along with 14 cases of grievous bodily harm. The most prevalent category of crime at the station is sexual offences, with two cases of rape reported.
At Makuya police station, which is closest to Punda Maria, the picture is much the same. One carjacking was recorded in the third quarter of 2023, but none has been reported this year. No murders have been recorded this year, and the most common offences appear to be contact crimes and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
For now, the hunt is on to find the murderers of the Marais couple. The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has mobilised a team of senior investigators to lead the investigation. Police have urged anyone with information to contact Lieutenant Colonel Rodney Ndou at 082 807 2666 or 082 414 2481, or Crime Stop on 08600 10111, or to use the MySAPS app anonymously.