ROOIELS – Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) Western Cape successfully rescued two lost hikers from a remote waterfall in the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve near Rooiels on Monday night (25 August).
The hikers, aged 75 and 68, contacted CapeNature for assistance when they became disoriented and couldn’t locate the trail down the mountain. Despite poor cellphone reception in the area, they managed to call for help and transmit their GPS coordinates from a vantage point above the waterfall.
WSAR teams responded immediately, dispatching a two-person rescue team from Overstrand to the area.
After conducting an initial reconnaissance from a nearby lookout point, the team descended into the valley on foot, carrying extra clothing and torches for the hikers. The nearly two-hour trek led rescuers to the pair, who were found just off the main trail in good spirits despite being cold.
The rescue team carefully guided them back down the mountain while a drone from the Western Cape Government Health and Wellness EMS Drone Unit provided aerial support and monitored the operation’s progress. The mission concluded successfully at 22:17 on Monday night, with all parties safely off the mountain.
- For mountain emergencies, contact WSAR on 021 937 0300.
