Fraud Blocker Seeing Hippos on Safari

Hippopotamus

Hippopotamus

Hippos are a very popular animal to view on safari. Fortunately, they are well represented in major safari areas containing water resources, which they are dependent upon for protection from the sun’s harmful rays as well as from predators.
Hippos make fantastic honking noises and are often observed making threat displays (hippo yawns) or having mock battles with one another.
Hippo pools make a great location to stop for a picnic or sundowner. Imagine sipping on a gin and tonic while observing pods of hippos yawning and preparing to exit their ponds for evening grazing.

Hippo Itineraries

Botswana: Ready For Action

This remarkable itinerary features locations that represent the best opportunities of Botswana's dry season excitement. The dry season of Botswana is as good as it gets to see large quantities of animals in exclusive wilderness areas. Of special note the rare African wild dog typically is denning with puppies visible from mid-July to the end of August, then September through November remains outstanding as packs with puppies are traveling small distances with a drive to hunt to feed the quickly growing pups.

Into the Botswana Wild with Victoria Falls

Experience the best of Northern Botswana in the Okavango Delta, Kwando Concession and Chobe River, plus the majestic "smoke that thunders" in Victoria Falls.

Intrepid Zimbabwe Explorer: Victoria Falls, Hwange and Canoeing Mana Pools (Origins Collection)

Step back in time to the era of exploration with our Intrepid Zimbabwe Explorers itinerary, customized for remote adventure in some of the most pristine wilderness on Earth.

Big Five of Southern Africa

Southern Africa is an incredibly diverse region with varying weather, landscapes, cultures, and wildlife. This itinerary covers three major highlights of Southern Africa: The Greater Kruger National Park, Victoria Falls and the Okavango Delta.

Essential Diversity: River and Desert

This safari is designed for the safari connoisseur seeking rarity, exclusivity and luxury along with the full diversity of wildlife. The itinerary includes private guiding and vehicle at both safari camps, offering the ultimate in flexibility and maximizing the opportunities to see wildlife you want to see, while maintaining supreme comfort and luxury.

Malawi Expedition: Trekking Mt. Mulanje and Liwonde Safari with optional Lake Malawi Finale (Origins Collection)

Our Malawi Expedition combines an incredible hut-to-hut alpine trekking experience, outstanding scenery, wildlife viewing in a premiere national park, and the optional finale of swimming, snorkeling and kayaking off your private island camp in Lake Malawi.

Botswana Elephant Safari

This elephant-focused safari takes you to some of the best locations in all of Africa for seeing and interacting with elephants.

Ultimate Uganda

This safari has been custom designed to provide an in-depth adventure in Uganda featuring some of the most intimate and immersive experiences on the continent – primate trekking.

Big Cats & The Great Migration (Calving Season) – Group Trip 2024 (FULL)

The ultimate small group Serengeti adventure with elite biologist guide team, Fadhil Magoye and David Maira. Explore three distinct areas of the Serengeti ecosystem including Ndutu for the Great Migration Calving Season and the world's best cheetah viewing, the Central Serengeti's remote eastern plains and the Northern Serengeti which is incredibly exclusive at this time of year (perhaps the best kept safari secret)! Your guides have an unrivaled passion for the wilds of Tanzania, and the skills and knowledge to match. The knowledge of big cats and overall wildlife behavior between these guides is astounding and they are ready to share it all with their guests on this safari. The group size is guaranteed to be small, with a minimum of 2 and a maximum of just 8 guests.

Classic Zimbabwe: Hwange and Mana Pools with Victoria Falls

This adventure-level safari features classic bush camps, thrilling walking safaris, and an excellent value.

Zambia Walking and Waterways Safari

Zambian safaris are distinguished by the vintage expedition-style adventure delivered under the care of exceptional guides in remote wilderness areas teeming with wildlife.

Tanzania Frontier

This safari is the ultimate trip for those who truly want to get away from it all, exploring some of Tanzania's less-visited gems.

Quintessential Tanzania: River Crossing Season

With the Great Migration of nearly 2 million animals in the area, the Northern Serengeti is the stage for one of nature's most famed events - the dramatic migration crossings of the Mara River.

Botswana Desert and Delta Safari: Outstanding Value, Top Wildlife and Diverse Landscapes

This safari is customized to take advantage of the best opportunities for the green season in Botswana to observe diverse wildlife.

Kenya Luxury Safari

This safari includes some of our favorite unique Kenyan accommodations and a huge variety of activities during one of the best kept secret seasons.

Ultimate East Africa: Exceptional Guiding in Northern Tanzania and the Masai Mara

This incredible itinerary features East Africa's top guides on a private safari through Tanzania and Kenya.

Wild Origins Safari: Botswana and Zambia

From $14,850 per person Explore the highlights of Botswana's world class Okavango Delta and the wilds of Zambia's South Luangwa.

Kenya Family “Lion King” Safari

Kenya is the original safari country and still delivers the classic game viewing experience. This family safari is inspired by Disney's 2019 remake of its classic animated film, "The Lion King."

Hippo Videos

Best Places to See Hippos on Safari

Hippopotamus basking in the sun in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda
Hippo Napping in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda
South Luangwa National Park in Zambia is an ideal place to see high densities of hippos packed into a river home.
The Mara River in Kenya offers great hippo viewing, and often interesting interactions with crocodiles or migration herds crossing the river. This can also be seen from the Tanzania side of the Mara River, however camps are not nestled against the river banks on the Tanzania side the way you can find them on the Kenya side.
An interesting and unusual view takes place at Katavi National Park in Tanzania where hundreds of hippos try to crowd into disappearing water areas late in the dry season.
Northern Botswana offers excellent viewing of hippos from the many channels and lagoons of the Okavango Delta and Chobe River.

Something Extra

Shenton Safaris in the Northern region of the South Luangwa National Park, Zambia offers an exclusive “Hippo Hide” situated conveniently on a corner of the confluence of the Luangwa and Mwamba Rivers. Hundreds of hippos congregate throughout the season, and the hide offers an eye-level vantage point to observe their interactions.
For intrepid travelers, the Lower Zambezi National Park in Zambia and Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe offer canoeing adventures. Set out with an experienced guide to enjoy wildlife that come to the banks to quench their thirst. This most often includes observing the fascinating hippo pods before they shelter into the depths of the river.

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