Missing Polish tourists found safe after overnight search in Mpumalanga

Mapaballo Borotho

Two Polish tourists went missing while hiking in the Belvedere Hiking Trails on Thursday.
A large-scale search effort involving police, rangers, and Hoedspruit farmers continued throughout the night and restarted at dawn.
The pair were found safe the next morning after spending the night near a river.

Two tourists who went missing on Thursday, 13 November 2025, have been safely rescued with the help of police, rangers, and Hoedspruit farmers.

The two females, both from Poland, were last seen after booking a hiking trip on Thursday to the Belvedere Hiking Trails.

“Police in Dientjie received a complaint from MTPA Rangers at Bourke’s Luck Potholes that two international tourists (females) coming from Poland are missing,” said Police spokesperson Jabu Ndubane.

The rangers alerted Dientjie SAPS members around 18h30 and a tracing operation was launched. However, the search proved difficult as night fell, making visibility extremely poor.

Other role players also joined the effort, including the SAPS Search and Rescue Team. A private chopper from Hoedspruit farmers was even brought in to assist as time was running out.

Ndubane says the search and rescue operation continued early on Friday, 14 November 2025, at about 07h00.

The two tourists, Kidvohid Koldsinukd (30) and Joldata Astost (33), were fortunately found alive and unharmed.

“According to the duo, they reportedly slept next to the river. Through the assistance of the chopper and the Search and Rescue team consisting of members from both the public and private sectors, the rescue mission was successful in their endeavour,” Ndubane confirmed.

Authorities praised the teamwork and swift collaboration that ensured a happy ending to what could have been a tragic incident.