Hippos in Tanzania — Deceptively Deadly

Hippos kill an estimated 500 people per year in Africa — more than lions, elephants, and crocodiles combined. They are aggressively territorial, fast on land (up to 30 km/h), and surprisingly agile in water. The yawn display that looks comical is actually a threat — showing the 50cm canines that can crush a boat or a person.

In the water, hippos are surprisingly graceful. They walk along river bottoms, surfacing every 3-5 minutes to breathe. At night, they leave the water to graze on grass — consuming up to 40 kg per night.

• Nyerere National Park (Selous) — The Rufiji River has the highest hippo density in East Africa. Boat safaris offer incredible water-level viewing.
• Katavi — During dry season, 200+ hippos cram into remaining pools. Crocodiles share the space. It is intense.
• Serengeti — Grumeti and Mara rivers hold large pods during the migration.
• Tarangire — The Tarangire River is hippo central during dry months.
• Ngorongoro Crater — Ngoitoktok Springs has a resident pod visible on every game drive.

Hippos live in pods of 10-30 individuals, dominated by a single territorial male. Females and young stay in the pod; subordinate males are tolerated at the edges but not allowed to mate.

The dominant male marks his territory by spinning his tail while defecating, flinging dung across the landscape to create a smelly boundary. He also yawns, charges, and vocalizes to warn rivals.

Calves are born in water after an 8-month gestation. They nurse underwater, surfacing every 30 seconds to breathe. Mother-calf bonds are strong and fiercely protected.

• Wide shots — Show pods in the landscape
• Yawn shots — Dramatic, but be ready — the yawn is fast
• Eye-level — Boat safaris let you shoot at water level
• Night shots — Grazing hippos on land are rarely photographed
• Pink "milk" — Hippos secrete a red, sunscreen-like mucus. It looks like blood but is perfectly natural

Plan your hippo safari with us.