Hippopotamus

The Hippopotamus

A semi-aquatic giant


Information about Hippopotamus

The hippopotamus, also known as the “river horse,” lives along the rivers and lakes throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Weighing up to 8,000 pounds, the hippo is the heaviest land animal after the elephant. Hippos seek refuge from the heat by living in water during the day, and at night they come ashore to feed on short, soft grasses and fallen fruit.

Interesting facts about Hippopotamus

Hippos usually live in groups (or “herds”) of around ten to 20 individuals, led by one large dominant male.

In the wild hippos live for around 40 years.

Hippos can’t swim or float, they walk or stand on surfaces below the water like sandbanks.

Pictures of Hippopotamus

Hippopotamus
Hippopotamus
Hippopotamus

Highlights where the Hippopotamus can be seen

Delta Belle Houseboat Askiesbos
A night on a Houseboat

The Houseboat boat will dock near a small island, from where you can go in smaller boats in between the reeds and channels, to discover bird- and wildlife that lives here. Sunset is of course served with a cold drink, and a delicious meal enjoyed afterwards. A special night!

Okavango panhandle botswana birding
A visit to the Okavango Panhandle

Visiting the Okavango Panhandle is an enchanting experience, as it is the place where the desert meets the Delta. This area is characterized by narrow waterways lined with papyrus and tall reeds, making it a birdwatcher’s paradise with species like African fish eagles, herons, and kingfishers in abundance. The Panhandle is also a gateway to deeper delta adventures, including mokoro rides and boating trips, as well as exploring remote villages and cultural sites. It's a less-traveled part of the delta, offering an authentic and tranquil escape into one of Africa's most extraordinary natural wonders.

Hippos in St Lucia Lake
Boat cruise Chobe River

Embark on a boat cruise on the Chobe River. Good chance you will see plenty of hippos, elephants, and other wildlife along the banks of this majestic river. Avid photographers love this place because it offers excellent circumstances to photograph the iconic image of a hippo showcasing its massive teeth. Will you be so lucky to catch this moment on camera?

Queen Elizabeth National Park
Boat cruise on the Kazinga channel

Located inside Queen Elizabeth NP, the Kazinga channel links lakes Edward and George. Aboard a double-deck boat, and start your journey on the water, enjoying the surrounding scenery. Haven for birds, elephants, buffalos, hippos and crocodiles, you will see plenty of wildlife! You can either decide to enjoy the view from the upper deck or, for great pictures on the animal level, to stay on the lower deck. Enjoy the ride!

Naivasha
Boat ride on Lake Naivasha

A boat ride on Lake Naivasha offers a serene experience, perfect for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers. As you glide across the waters, you'll have the opportunity to observe many different bird species, including pelicans, herons, and kingfishers. The lake is also home to hippos, which can often be seen lounging in the water or grazing along the shores. The scenic backdrop of Mount Longonot and the lush vegetation surrounding the lake adds to the picturesque beauty of the setting, making it an unforgettable adventure in Kenya's Great Rift Valley.

St Lucia Lake
Boat ride on St Lucia Estuary

A boat cruise on the St Lucia Estuary offers a relaxing and unforgettable way to experience the natural beauty of the region. Cruise through peaceful waterways lined with lush mangroves, reeds, and coastal vegetation while keeping an eye out for hippos drifting through the water and crocodiles resting along the banks. The estuary is also a paradise for bird lovers, home to a remarkable variety of species including African fish eagles, kingfishers, herons, and pelicans. Surrounded by the beauty of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, this scenic experience provides incredible wildlife sightings and stunning views throughout the day.

Oloidien Lake Kenya boat safari
Boat safari Lake Oloiden

A boat safari on Lake Oloidien immerses you in the tranquil beauty of Kenya's Great Rift Valley. Nestled near the larger Lake Naivasha, this small lake is a haven for birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts alike. As you glide across the calm waters, you'll have the chance to observe an array of bird species, including flamingos, pelicans, and cormorants. Hippos often bask near the shore, while the surrounding acacia trees may reveal giraffes and other land animals coming for a drink.

Murchison Falls
Boat tour in Murchison Falls NP

Aboard a small boat, and start your journey towards the bottom of Murchison Falls. On the way, keep an eye on the shores of the peaceful Nile river, as there is a lot of action: from hippos grazing, to elephants cooling down and birds fishing. After navigating the waters for about 1h45, you reach the bottom of the falls, but can't get too close as per strong currants.

Bush Walk Manyara
Bush walk in Lake Manyara

You leave with your ranger for a walking safari of about 2 hours. You enjoy the scenery, the views of the lake and of course if you are lucky, the wildlife. Your guide teaches you how to recognize the different animal tracks and also the characteristic flora of the bush.

The thrill of encountering wildlife on foot is very different from that of a game drive. Here are some of the animals you may see on this walking safari: giraffes, elephants, turtles, zebras, buffalo, antelopes, hippos etc. Your ranger will take care of your safety and your French speaking guide will accompany you for translation. Enjoy !

arusha national park
Game drive in Arusha National Park

A game drive in Arusha National Park is a journey through ever-changing landscapes. One moment you’re driving under the shadow of Mount Meru, the next you’re passing flamingo-filled lakes or spotting giraffes on open savannas. Keep your camera ready – buffalo, bushbuck, and playful colobus monkeys often make an appearance, and every turn brings a new surprise.

Mahango National Park
Gamedrive in Mahango

Enjoy a gamedrive in the lush bushveld of Mahango Game Reserve! This park consists mainly of two parts: the bushland which is located in the west, and the "water front" which is located east along the Okavango river. Mahango is home to a lot of wildlife, so keep binoculars and camera's close by! We might be so lucky to spot a large herd of buffalo, some of the rare antelope species that live here, or even predators like lions.

nDzuti Safari Camp, Maseke Game Reserve
Greater Kruger Safari

There are numerous of private concessions surrounding the Kruger National Park, which give a more private experience compared to the sometimes crowded National Park. We are especially charmed by Maseke Game Reserve, as it is situated within a vast block of wilderness, where wildlife can roam freely from the different reserves surrounding it.

White Rhino
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Safari

The Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park is one of South Africa’s most celebrated wildlife destinations, offering unforgettable encounters with some of Africa’s most iconic animals. Spanning rolling hills, open grasslands, dense forests, and river valleys, the park is home to the legendary Big Five — lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino — along with cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, crocodiles, and countless bird species. Visitors can experience the thrill of spotting wildlife in their natural habitat while exploring one of the oldest and most scenic game reserves in Africa. Famous for its outstanding rhino conservation efforts and rich biodiversity, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi offers a true safari adventure in the heart of Zululand.

Hippos in St Lucia Lake
iSimangaliso Wetland Park

Enjoy an exciting adventure with your guide through the spectacular iSimangaliso Wetland Park. With well-maintained roads and breathtaking scenery, this experience allows you to explore one of South Africa’s most diverse natural environments at a relaxed pace. Journey through changing landscapes of coastal forests, open grasslands, freshwater lakes, wetlands, and scenic viewpoints while your guide shares fascinating insights about the park’s wildlife and ecosystems.

Along the route, keep watch for zebras, antelope, buffalo, hippos, crocodiles, and a wide variety of birdlife, while lucky visitors may even spot rhinos or elusive leopards hidden within the bush. The park’s beautiful network of lakes and estuaries creates incredible opportunities for wildlife viewing and photography, making every drive a unique experience.

Maasai Mara lion cub
Maasai Mara Safari

The Maasai Mara National Park, located in southwestern Kenya, is one of Africa's most renowned wildlife reserves. Spanning over 1,500 square kilometers, it is famous for its exceptional population of big cats, including lions, cheetahs, and leopards. The park is also a crucial part of the Great Migration, where over one million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles traverse the plains annually.

Kavango River Mokoro
Mokoro trip Kavango River

Enjoy a traditional mokoro trip along the Kavango River! A mokoro is a traditional dug-out canoe, and this is what the Bushmen would have once used to move around the rivers and deltas. A local guide will steer the mokoro with incredible ease through the calm waters of the Kavango River. A relaxing way to explore the narrow, reed-lined waterways and discover smaller creatures you wouldn’t notice from a vehicle. Spot wildlife and enjoy being surrounded by unspoilt nature.

Crater
Ngorongoro Crater

The Ngorongoro caldera is about 20km in diameter. It is the remains of a volcano that has been inactive for over 3,000 years. Many animals live in this environment, including numerous herds of buffalo, wildebeest and zebra. Hyenas, jackals and wild dogs are also seen quite regularly. The felines (lions and leopards), present, are rarer to observe, but the numerous carcasses are witnesses of the activity of the fauna. The elephants observed are mostly old elephants that come here to retire. There are about 20 black rhinos, one of the last places where they can be seen from a distance in Tanzania.

Lake Manyara
Safari at Lake Manyara

Manyara Park is a small national park in Tanzania of 325 km2. It differs from other parks by the presence of a lake, Lake Manyara, but also by its forest type vegetation. There are some typical species such as the blue monkeys or several species of birds including the hornbill. We can see elephants, giraffes, many antelopes, buffalos, hippos, different types of monkeys, zebras etc. Lions, leopards and hyenas are present but very difficult to observe due to the vegetation.

Zululand HluHluwe-Imfolozi
Zululand Safari

A one of a kind experience: safari in Zululand! The province of KwaZulu-Natal is known for its rolling hills, filled with bright green fever trees. In the valleys you can find rivers meandering through the rural areas. This scenery is even more spectacular within the boundaries of the game reserves, where you can spot the Big 5 while on gamedrive.

Lions in serengeti
Safari in Serengeti

Serengeti means "endless plains". The park covers almost 15 000km2. It is characterized by desert savannah landscapes over several kilometers that seem endless. For this reason, the observation of the cats is particularly suitable. Many lions are present in the park, which guarantees a 100% chance to observe the king of the savannah. Some even got into the habit of climbing trees to take a nap. Leopards and cheetahs are also regularly seen. The luckiest ones will witness the scenes of a shrine.

Although the cats are the stars of the Serengeti, other animals such as jackals, hyenas, ostriches, hundreds of gazelles of various types, families of elephants and many hippos are also seen. The ponds are filled with hippos and crocodiles.

Okavango Pan Handle Botswana
Sunset Boat Cruise Kwando River

Enjoy a sunset boat cruise along the Kwando River! This untouched landscape is dominated by riverine forests and waterways, with an abundance of bird species.

Victoria Falls Zimbabwe
Sunset Boat Cruise Zambezi River

Enjoy the magnificent views of the Zambezi river. There is a chance to spot many types of animals in the water and along the banks. You’ll have unlimited local drinks and some tasty snacks as you watch the sunset in one of the most beautiful scenes in Africa.

Zambezi
Sunset Cruise Zambezi River

Embark on a boat cruise on the Zambezi River. Good chance you will see plenty of hippos, elephants, and other wildlife along the banks of this majestic river.

safari lake mburo
Walking safari in Lake Mburo

Experience the bush in a different way: by foot! Walking safaris give visitors the opportunity to focus on smaller things that they would miss on a regular game drive, such as tracks, droppings, plants, etc. Lake Mburo National Park is the ideal place for walking safaris, as there are no big cats such as lions. During your walk, you will have the opportunity to come across many zebras, get close to majestic giraffes, and learn more about the flora in the park. For security reason, your UWA guide is armed but, don't worry, he is highly trained and this is for last resort.

Our trips to spot the Hippopotamus