Five hikers rescued from Sentinel Peak after severe Drakensberg snowstorm

Five hikers who became stranded on Sentinel Peak in the Drakensberg during a severe snowstorm on 12 August 2026 have been brought to safety after a multi-team rescue effort, according to The Citizen.

Rescue timeline and operation

Search and Rescue South Africa (SARZA) Gauteng and local rescue teams set up a forward base at Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge before deploying three rescue vehicles fitted with snow chains and a specialised all‑terrain vehicle up the mountain pass. The Citizen reports the group had been stranded since Monday night and that rescuers aimed to reach them by the morning of 13 August 2026.

The rescue drive took two hours to cover seven kilometres of mountain pass. Once reached, rescuers provided food and warmth and guided the hikers down. The operation concluded after midnight, with additional vehicle recoveries completed around 1am, The Citizen said.

Condition of the hikers

According to The Citizen, SARZA Gauteng Chairperson Kyle Nesbitt said the hikers had very little warm-weather gear and that their food supplies were depleted. The hikers were found in good spirits and with no immediate medical concerns, though Nesbitt warned the risk would have increased had they remained longer.

“They were extremely relieved to see the team. Thankfully, there were no immediate medical concerns, but had it gone another day or two, the risk would have increased as they had run out of food and water,”

Weather impact across the region

The Citizen reports heavy snowfall and freezing conditions hampered access to the area and caused wider travel disruptions and road closures in the region. The Border Management Authority temporarily shut down operations at Qacha’s Nek Port of Entry in Matatiele, the article said.

Forecasters noted snow remained visible in high‑lying areas of the Eastern Cape, Lesotho and southern KwaZulu‑Natal, The Citizen added.

Official warnings and safety advice

Rescue teams and authorities issued weather warnings and safety advisories during the incident. The Citizen quoted Kyle Nesbitt urging hikers to prepare thoroughly before heading into the mountains and to have an emergency plan.

“If you know you’re going into weather like this, you need at least 48 hours of food, proper cold‑weather gear, and an emergency plan. Conserve your phone battery – don’t use it as a torch. Once that connection to the outside world is gone, you’re vulnerable.”

What the incident underscores

The successful rescue highlighted the dangers of hiking in severe winter conditions and the role of volunteer rescue teams. The Citizen attributed the operation to coordinated efforts by SARZA Gauteng, teams from the Free State and Netcare 24 paramedics.