Hippos in Katavi National Park
Ariadne is a renowned African wildlife photographer whose work is featured in many well-known guidebooks and magazines.
The hippos in Katavi National Park are a sight to see. Katavi National Park is a very seasonal park with huge floodplains that dry up after the rains from June onwards. The Katuma river also dries up, until all that’s left is a small stream with a few muddy ponds.
A Community of Hippos
The big concentration of hippos in Katavi National Park that happily live together in the green season are forced to huddle together in the last remaining puddles at the end of the dry season. The fights between male hippos at the edge of the puddles are hair-raising to watch. And I got a serious fright when a big male hippo ran towards me as I was standing outside the vehicle looking through my viewfinder. I ran for my life back to the vehicle. Only then did I realise that he wasn’t after me. Another bull, protecting its territory, was chasing him.
You can see the lone bulls who are unable to be in the pools, wandering around in the midday sun. This is when they need to submerge themselves in the pool. They simply can’t find a spot in the water. Many individuals don’t make it. And their dead bodies add to the pungent smell of the dung puddles in which the hippos lie in a heap pile. Not pretty, but amazing all the same.
Best Time to Visit
If you want to see hippos at Katavi National Park in Tanzania, the best time to visit is during the dry season (August to October).
Photo Ops
The photo opportunities that we get while on safari are nothing short of amazing. SafariBookings has gathered a collection of stunning African wildlife photography. So make sure to check us out on Instagram. Better yet, show us your safari photos and share some of your stories of unusual wildlife encounters. Let's chat on Facebook or Twitter. We'd love hear from you!
Ariadne is a renowned African wildlife photographer whose work is featured in many well-known guidebooks and magazines.
More About This AuthorAfrican Safari Tours
-
5-Day Tsavo East, West and Amboseli Safari from Mombasa
$1,045 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Mombasa (Start), Tsavo East NP, Amboseli NP, Tsavo West NP, Mombasa (End)
Africa Vacation Safaris
5.0/5 – 28 Reviews
-
3-Day Safari in Serengeti and Ngorongoro - Midrange
$1,045 pp (USD)
Tanzania: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)Tented Camp & Tented Bush Camp
You Visit: Arusha (Start), Serengeti NP, Central Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Arusha (End)
Kilipath African Safari
4.8/5 – 42 Reviews
-
4-Day Safari from Dar Es Salaam to Zanzibar
$1,573 pp (USD)
Tanzania: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)Tented Camp & Hotel
You Visit: Zanzibar (Start), Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP, Central Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Dar Es Salaam (End)
Enjoy Rejoice Adventures
4.7/5 – 15 Reviews