Kruger National Park - this iconic destination in South Africa is world famous and just begs to be explored over and over again. Many visitors return year after year, some spend months in the park. However, not everybody is able to do this so if you only plan one visit in your lifetime, please just do it! It is a must to experience wildlife truly in the wild. The following "Hippo" Facts are shared courtesy of Aquila Private Game Reserve and Spa.
Cape Town's closest Big 5 Experience - 2 Hours from Cape Town - for those who cannot get to Kruger.
" 1. Hippos Are Often Referred to as River Horses
The hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) is a
semi-aquatic mammal often referred to as a “river horse” because of their
fondness for freshwater habitats. This nickname comes from the Greek words
hippos (“horse”) and potamós (“river”). However, Hippos are actually more
closely related to whales and dolphins than to horses.
2. There Are Two Species of Hippos
There are two species of hippopotamus: the Common
Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius), found across sub-Saharan Africa,
and the Pygmy Hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis), which is much
smaller and native to West Africa. While the common hippo can weigh up to 3,200
kg (7,000 lbs), pygmy hippos rarely exceed 275 kg (600 lbs).
3. Hippos Are Surprisingly Fast
Despite their bulky bodies, hippos can run up to 30 km/h (18
mph) on land for short distances. In the water, they don’t technically swim but
propel themselves by pushing off the riverbed using their powerful legs. Their
agility both in and out of the water makes them formidable creatures.
4. They Produce Their Own Sunscreen
Hippos secrete a natural substance that acts as sunscreen!
This reddish, oily secretion, often called “blood sweat,” helps protect their skin from the sun’s harsh
rays and has antibacterial properties that prevent infections and wounds from
getting worse in their often-muddy habitat.
5. Their Yawns Are a Warning
If you see a hippo yawning, don’t assume it’s just sleepy.
Hippos use wide-open mouths as a territorial display, warning potential threats
to stay away. Their powerful jaws can open to nearly 150 degrees, revealing
massive tusks that can grow up to 50 cm (20 inches) long.
6. Hippos Are One of Africa’s Most Dangerous Animals
Though they may look gentle, hippos are responsible for more
human fatalities in Africa than lions or crocodiles. Their powerful jaws,
territorial nature, and aggressive temperament make them a force to be reckoned
with. They are known to capsize small boats and charge at perceived threats
with incredible speed.
7. They Communicate Underwater
Hippos are social creatures that communicate through a range
of vocalisations, including grunts, bellows, and even ultrasonic sounds that
travel underwater. Scientists are still studying these underwater
vocalisations, which may help them coordinate group movements and establish
dominance in their pods.
8. They Can Hold Their Breath for Several Minutes
Hippos can stay submerged for up to 5-6 minutes at a time,
closing their nostrils and ears to keep water out. Even when sleeping in the
water, they instinctively rise to the surface to breathe without waking up.
These large mammals can spend up to 16 hours a day submerged in water.
9. They Are Closely Related to Whales
Despite their appearance, hippos share a common ancestor
with whales and dolphins. Scientists believe they diverged from a shared
ancestor around 55 million years ago. This connection explains their
semi-aquatic lifestyle and some of their adaptations for life in the water.
10. Baby Hippos Are Born Underwater
When it’s time to give birth, mother hippos retreat to the
water, where their calves are born and take their first breaths before
surfacing. The calves stay close to their mothers for protection, often resting
on their backs while navigating the water. The gestation period for a hippo is
about eight months which is incredible if you take into account that baby
hippos can weigh up to 50kg (110 lbs) at birth.
11. They Eat Mostly Grass
Hippos are one of the largest land-based herbivores in the
world, exceeded in size only by the elephant and some species of rhino.
Although they spend most of their time in water, hippos graze on land at night,
consuming up to 40 kg (88 lbs) of grass in one feeding session. Despite their
large size, they maintain a diet primarily consisting of short grasses, and
they rarely eat aquatic plants.
12. Pod Dynamics and Social Structure
Hippos live in groups called “pods”, which can consist of up
to 30 individuals, led by a dominant male (bull). The dominant male defends his
territory and females (cows), while younger males and subordinates stay on the
fringes of the group. Social interactions include play-fighting, vocalisations,
and affectionate nudging among pod members.
13. Hippos Can Live for Decades
In the wild, hippos have an average lifespan of 40 to 50
years, but in captivity, they can live even longer—some reaching their late
50s. Their longevity is influenced by environmental factors, predators and
human activity.
14. The Conservation Status of Hippos
The common hippo is classified as Vulnerable by
the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to habitat loss
and poaching. Pygmy hippos, however, are Endangered,
with fewer than 3,000 individuals remaining in the wild. Conservation efforts
are crucial in protecting these species from further decline.
15. Habitat and Distribution
Hippos inhabit rivers, lakes, and swamps across sub-Saharan
Africa. They require ample water to keep their bodies cool during the day and
move onto land to graze at night."
A surprising sight one morning was a group of about 20 vultures feeding off a kill. They flapped around and were also rather curious when a number of cars stopped to view them. We often saw groups of vultures sitting in trees in various parts of Kruger - this was most probably in areas where lions had been present at a kill and they were just waiting for the lion to move off.
Cape Vulture (Gyps coprotheres): Southern Africa’s only endemic vulture. They are massive, pale birds that breed in colonies on mountain cliffs, often seen along the Drakensberg.- African White-backed Vulture (Gyps africanus): The most common savanna vulture, easily identified by the white feathers on its lower back and neck. They are highly social and the first to arrive at carcasses.
- Lappet-faced Vulture (Torgos tracheliotos): The largest of the bunch, with a wingspan of up to 3 meters. They have a striking pinkish-red head and are the dominant "bullies" at a carcass.
- White-headed Vulture (Trigonoceps occipitalis): Easily recognized by its bright white crown, pale beak, and dark body plumage. They are shy, solitary feeders often found in open savanna.
- Hooded Vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus): A small, dark-brown vulture with a long, slender bill. They prefer wooded savannas and will eagerly forage for smaller scraps.
- Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus): Also known as the Lammergeier, these "bone-breakers" specialize in dropping bones from heights to consume the marrow. They are confined entirely to the Maloti-Drakensberg mountain range in South Africa "
Zebras are often spotted in Kruger - these are
Plains Zebra also known as Burchell's Zebra. Zebra are usually found in open grasslands and fairly close to water sources. They live in family groups, called "harems" - there is usually one dominant stallion, mares and their foals. Zebras will happily consume tough or low quality grasses that other animals cannot digest. This leaves the better grasses for the more selective grazers like impala and wildebeest. Having said that, we were in Kruger after major rains so all grass was lush and green, making it a treat for all, including elephants! Zebras are also very curious, yet placid, and extremely photogenic. The zebra above was enjoying a good head scratch while watching us at the same time. They also appear to love resting their heads on each other!
Elephants - what can I say! My favourite animal, although I do love them all.
Males can weigh up to 6 tons and stand 4 meters tall - these are the ones to be wary of, especially when they are in
musth. The males are often spotted alone whereas the herds always have a matriarch, teenagers, babies and grown females. Watching them take turns at a river or water hole is fascinating. When the matriarch decideds that time is up, you need to listen for that stern trumpeting. If the teenagers don't listen, an even louder trumpet call can be heard. They are truly magnificent animals and with a population of over 31,000 in the park you should spot them every now and again. Just never get between a mother and her calf and always allow them room to cross the road. Reverse if required.
Kruger landscapes are beautiful when there are no animals around - with so many trees, high points and various terrains, it is just as much about the scenery as the animals.
The Kruger National Park is approx. 350 km long and 60 km wide. Covering 2 million hectares it remains one of the biggest nature conservation areas in the world. Don't be fooled by distances - with the speed limits (50 km on tar and 40km on gravel) and animal sightings sometimes one only covers a small section each day. With over 3000 km of roads, your journey needs to be planned well in order to get the most out of this iconic destination.
This hippo was enjoying a spot between the rocks with water splashing over him, like a jacuzzi! We watched him for ages, hippo bliss. The very next day, we returned to Sabie River bridge where the water was gushing past after night-time rains. Needless to say, no hippo. We just hope he escaped in time.
The bird life in Kruger is fascinating - if they sit still long enough to be captured by the camera. At this same spot on the Sabie Bridge, we watched a White Backed Night Heron fishing in the raging river where the hippo had been lazing the previous day. The bird appeared to be unaware of the croc getting closer and closer but he did take off eventually after catching a number of small fish being washed downstream.
There are 11 Entrance gates, however, during the rainy season some roads and gates may be closed so always check. There are a number of private lodges inside Kruger so there are accommodations from camping to luxury to suit all tastes and pockets! The private lodges venture on roads that are not open to the public so this does make for a very special wildlife experience. We have previously enjoyed a short stay at
Singita Lebombo and those memories will live on forever!
NB: Maximum 8 people with age restrictions
Bushman Trail near Berg n Dal
Olifants Trail near Olifants River
Sweni Trail neat N'wanetsi
Wolhuter Trail between Berg n Dal and Pretoriuskop
For those who love birds, there are over 500 species in the park.
Watch out for the
Big 6 - Saddle-billed Stork, Martial Eagle, Ground Hornbill, Kori Buzzard, Lappet-Faced Vulture, and Pet's Fishing Owl
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Kruger is also home to approx. 1500 to 2000 or so lions so they are not always easy to spot
Leopards are solitary animals and often rest up a tree during the day and prefer areas close to water or in riverine woodlands.
Cheetah are in the region of approx. 200 so finding these in a 2 million hectare reserve is not for the feint-hearted. They also prefer open savannahs and the riverine areas.
The photogenic Impala are prolific with around 180,000 in Kruger. The males have these stunning horns. They gather in large herds, often male or female-only. Their jumping ability is second to none - being able to jump up to 3 meters high and as much as 10 m in length often gets them away from danger. They are hunted by lion, leopard, wild dogs and cheetah. We listened to a male releasing very loud, guttural sounds at one stop but we could not see what he was warning anybody about as there was nothing else visible. But he sure did make a huge noise for a minute or so.
Male Impala
Crocodiles can be spotted in the following areas - Sunset Dam, near Lower Sabie, Crocodile Bridge, Lower Sabie Bridge, Lake Panic and the Olifants and Letabe Rivers. The
Nile Crocodile is the only species in Africa. As they are cold-blooded they spend hours in the sun to regulate their body temperature.
We watched a croc in the river at Lower Sabie Bridge get closer and closer to the bird - with the mouth wide open in the hopes of catching drifting prey also. Those teeth are enough to give one nightmares! The crocodiles are well camouflaged so not always easy to spot in the water.
Crocodile in river at Lower Sabie Bridge
Do buy some books and maps in the beautiful Park Shops as this area is truly huge and the animals are varied and plentiful. Don't despair if you drive and see nothing - maybe around the next corner you are likely to find something interesting, whether a bird, a tortoise, a hyena, a huge elephant or just a stunning tree. Absorb the bush wholeheartedly - it is a place where one visit never seems like enough.
Self-Drive Safari's - Hire a car and explore at your own pace
Sunrise/Sunset Drives - Join a SAN Parks Drive - available at all camps and lodges
Photographic Safaris - These are more specialized tours with equipped vehicles
For more information check out the official websites
https://www.sanparks.org
