World Hippo Day: Spotting Hippos In Kenya

15th February marks World Hippo Day, a chance for us all to celebrate the giant mammal. Found in the wild of sub-Saharan Africa, these giant swimmers, known to the Greek as “river horses”, are a sight to behold should you be lucky enough to spot them. While you don’t want to get too close, here’s where you can catch a glimpse of the rare pink hippo in its natural habitat in Kenya.

The Masai Mara National Reserve

One of the best safari destinations in all of Africa, the Masai Mara is home to the Big 5 and other wildlife. With 1,501 square kilometres, it’s where visitors can experience the great wildebeest migration, when around two million wild animals migrate from the Serengeti to the Mara River in the Masai Mara.

Kora National Reserve

At just over 1,700 square kilometres in size, the Tana River in Kora National Reserve is a fantastic habitat for hippos with a large population as a result. Complemented by the stunning Adamson’s Falls and Grand Falls, you can also spot big cats and antelope species.

Mwea National Reserve

Mwea National Reserve is home to Hippo Point, which is as suggestive as it gets. Visitors to the area can enjoy boat rides to this spot, one of the best places to see hippos in their natural habitat. With rare birds, elephants, giraffes, zebras and buffalo, chances are you’ll see a lot more on top.

Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks

Separate by the Mombasa Nairobi Highway, these parks are in the coastal region of Kenya and spread across 22,000 square kilometres. Tsavo West is your best bet for spotting hippos, with swamps, rivers and springs, including the Mzima Spring, where you get to watch them from underwater!

Bisandi National Reserve

With three permanent rivers, Bisandi National Reserve boasts a large hippo population around the year. You can even camp amongst the untouched nature or stay at Offbeat Camp, which enables you a more comfortable stay with the beauty of the reserve surrounding you.

Happy World Hippo Day!

Images courtesy of Graeme Shannon, Bernard Dupont and Jerzy Strzelecki