Hippocampus in Uganda – Hippo tracking safari
Hippos are the second largest land animals in the world, only eclipsed in size by the elephant and can be seen quite easily in Uganda. Most of the lakes and rivers in the country are habitats for hippos.
The full name is hippopotamus and derived from Greek to mean river horse. They are the third heaviest animals in the world. Elephants and rhinos are heavier than the hippos.
Diet
Hippos can eat up to 150 pounds (about 75kg) of food, which is primarily grass, in a day. They feed on grass, herbivores that they are, and can quite easily strip their habitats down to bubble. They can weigh close to three tons; however their massive weight doesn’t slow them down on land. They can run 30 to 40 km per hour on land, which faster than humans.
Habitat
Hippos are what one would call semi aquatic. They spend time on both land and in the water. They actually spend quite a lot of their time in water, but cannot swim; they mostly just keep bouncing off the bottom of the water. Daytime for the hippos is mostly spent in water as a way to shield from the sun. Their bodies produce a natural sun screen, something a few humans would be grateful for. The sun screen is red in colour and has often been referred to as blood sweat.
Although often thought to be related to pigs, hippos are actually related whales and porpoises.
Life
Hippos have an average lifespan of 40 to 50 years. Physical growth stops at about 25 years of age. Being semi aquatic, they mate and give birth in water.
Hippos live in groups called pods. These usually constitute of male’s females and of course their young. Just like cattle, male hippos are called bulls; the females are called cows while the young ones are called calves.
Although herbivores are often thought to harmless, hippos are considered to be one of the most dangerous species in the world. It is best to keep your distance if you are on foot and near a hippo. They could trample you to death. There have been many deaths due to an encounter with a hippo.
Threats: Hippos like a lot of wildlife in Uganda and Africa, are threatened poachers and hunters. The hippos just like elephants have tusks which sold as ivory. Many hippos have been hunted and killed for their hides, and tusks. Some communities hunt them because they are considered dangerous, which they indeed are. These are usually fishing communities located near hippo habitats.
Where can you find Hippos in Uganda?
Hippopotamuses can be found in almost every national park that has a river or a lake within its boundaries. These include:
Queen Elizabeth National Park: in this famous park, hippos can be seen in and around kazinga channel and the Ntungwe River found in the ishasha area of the park.
The Kazinga channel which runs through the park, has perhaps the highest concentration of hippos in Uganda and in Africa. Kazinga channel joins is a connecting stream (Mini River) between Lake George and Lake Edward.
If you take a boat ride on the kazinga channel during your Uganda safari in Queen Elizabeth you will be amazed at the number of hippos you will see. Hundreds upon hundreds of hippos along the shore and in the water, quite a sight to behold.
Hippo tracking safari
Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Leave for Queen Elizabeth National Park – the medley of wonders located in south western Uganda for a wildlife safari in Uganda. This Uganda wildlife safari to Queen Elizabeth will give you opportunities to see remarkable landscapes and scenery in Uganda’s countryside. You will pass agricultural fields of different people working or seated by the stalls of crafts or fresh fruits and vegetable markets. Most homes are by the roadside for easy access to transport but also because they have access to amenities like power and water.
You will have a stopover at the Equator monument experiencing life in both the Southern and Northern Hemispheres. Lunch will be at Igongo cultural museum – the home of Ankore culture.
Alternatively you can take a flight to Mweya airstrip shortening your transit time. This will then afford you time in the afternoon to either do a boat safari or a community tour.
Day 2: Game drive and boat safari on Kazinga channel – Hippo tracking safari
Hippos-queen-Elizabeth-national-park-Uganda Enjoy this Uganda wildlife safari in Queen Elizabeth national park which offers a beautiful African safari experience. The park is known to have the highest biodiversity of any protected area in East Africa. The day will start very early with your tour guide for an early morning game drive exploring the park in the Kasenyi plains searching for predators and grazers on a game drive.
Return to the lodge for lunch or have a picnic lunch after which you will take a boat safari on Kazinga Channel which connects Lake Edward and Lake George. This offers an excellent opportunity for photography moments of Hippos, Buffaloes, Elephants and magnificent bird species by the water.
Day 3: Travel back to Kampala/ Entebbe
Your wildlife safari has come to an end but the memories will live with you forever. Leave for Kampala, have lunch en route and proceed to your hotel or Airport.
Drive time – 6 hours OR Scheduled Flight –1 hour 45 minutes
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