Don’t look over there, but I think we are being watched. Hippos are the third largest land mammal and they are one of the most dangerous animals in Africa. This photo was taken on the Zambezi River, Zambia.
Travel Photo of the Day (Jan. 12)
This entry was posted in Africa, Travel, Travel Photos and tagged Africa, Hippos, Nature, Photography, Travel Blog, Travel Journal, Travel Photo, Wildlife, Zambezi River, Zambia. Bookmark the permalink.
50 Year Project 
Hippos are my favourite African animal – I love falling asleep the their ‘Frank Bruno’ laugh around your tent.
How long did you spend in Zambia? It’s on my wish list to do a big walking safari across the country when I’ve made my millions (I don’t think Norman Carr or Robin Pope would be too keen to throw me a freebie since I left my job in travel!)
We only spent a few days in Zambia. One of the couples who stayed at the same hotel went on a walking safari and they almost ran into a rhino. The guy said that his heart was pounding so hard he thought he would die. Afterwards, he said it was one of the greatest experiences. We didn’t so any walking safaris, but when I go back I would love to do it. What an experience and it is better for the environment.
When we stayed in Botswana our tent was along the water and we heard their grunting all night long. It was amazing and scary all at the same time.
I hope you can go on your walking safari!
We did a couple of walking safaris in Uganda (as well as an amazing time gorilla tracking) and went walking with rhinos. After seeing them on game drives and knowing how scary they are I was AMAZED we could come within 3 meters of 2 mothers with calves! They have to be protected 24/7 in Uganda, so their minders can almost talk to them like friends – its unreal for wild animals.
I will get back to Africa, it’s in the blood now 🙂
I will have to get all my Africa pics up when I am finished writing up Vietnam – we have some wonderful open mouth hippo shots taken from the water 🙂 and the gorillas, and the chimp that charged me, and our tree climbing lions…. I have gotta find a way back to Africa! Quickly!
Sounds like you have had some amazing experiences in Africa. My next trip there will concentrate more on gorillas and chimps. I also want to witness the Great Migration! We’ll see when the money thing allows us to do that. I’m with you, once visiting Africa it sticks with you and calls you back. Such a wonderful place.
Can’t wait to see your photos!
I would recommend trying to see the migration when it’s ‘doing something’. Know that sounds daft, but you begin to get a bit sick of the sight of wildebeest and zebra when they are just grazing en mass 🙂
I’d recommend birthing time or possibly a river crossing time of year although they are getting trickier to predict. The Ndutu region is beautiful and you can often witness the migration in that area without even needing to cross the park boundary and pay the fees.
I was in a few regions of the Serengeti during the rutting season – I enjoyed it but others thought it an anti climax as they expected the herds to be constantly stalked by predators. My favourite park in Tanzania was the Tarangire because we were lucky enough to not see another vehicle (my travel dream – not having to share!) and the sun setting over the baobabs is awe inspiring 🙂
I’ll get my pics sorted soon 🙂 looking forward to more of yours too 🙂
Thanks for all the tips! Birthing time or a river crossing sound exciting. We were lucky enough to witness two lions mating in Botswana–it was a brief affair. Tanzania is on our list, hopefully, for our next trip. I’ll keep all of your comments in mind when I start planning that one! And I’ll do some research on the Ndutu region. You have been a great help. It is never too early to start planning. That is half the fun for me.
Looking forward to your postings!
Lol we were stuck in the weirdly uncomfortable situation of lions mating for ages in the crater… Just felt a bit wrong watching!
I was a specialist African travel consultant for 3 years so any tips or bits if knowledge I can help with, more than happy to 🙂
It was odd watching the lions mating. And I was amazed that it happens every 15-20 minutes for days. We obviously didn’t stay for days…that would have been really weird.
Wow what a cool job. Except I would get jealous about the trips I was planning for others and I would want to go. You must have spent a lot of time in Africa…so jealous! Thanks for the offer!
great captured TBM!!!
greetings
xandi
Thanks Xandi!
Oh My God… This is amazing photograph, Thank you dear TBM, with my love, nia
Thanks Nia!
They are amazing animals. They don’t look as dangerous in photos as they are in real life.
They have such cute little ears that it is hard to think of them as so dangerous. But I wouldn’t want to tango with one.
Great photo. I have always thought hippos to be quite interesting animals.
Thanks. I agree, they are fascinating and it was amazing to see some.
greetings by the penguins
http://flickrcomments.wordpress.com/2011/12/09/penguin-parents/
+
if there is an evil hippo – how about to send him to the antarctic to support penguins?
🙂 A hippo would be a great bodyguard!
Watch out – they might be sneaking up on you!
It felt like it!
LOL. On first quick glance I thought it was birds or ducks on the water. Then I looked closer! They may be the most dangerous, but they sure are comical looking :). Great shot!
Thanks! They are funny looking with those little ears and massive bodies. The babies are really cute.
So cool!
Thanks Hook!
I think I like cartoon hippos more than real ones. They’re always so jolly and have a fat belly (I guess it reminds me of santa in a weird way 😉 )
But your picture is nonetheless amazing! They’re like sneaky bandits, hiding out in the water. Great job 🙂
Yes cartoon hippos are not scary at all. These intimidated me. I don’t think they wanted any visitors. Thanks for the kind words.
They look a rather lovely purple, or is that a trick of the light?
They are purplish…not as purple as you seen in cartoons. I would describe them as grey with hints of purple.
Such cuties 🙂
In their own way they are.
Yikes, sneaky sneaky indeed. You have amazing photographs! You should enter a few in a contest! I’m sure you’d win a prize or something. 🙂
Thanks for the kind comments! Maybe I will!