It was not planned and it wasn’t exactly a detour. Lake Naivasha was right along the way and it was a no-brainer to go for it. Some do this as a day trip from Nairobi. After all, this 2nd largest freshwater lake in Kenya is only 100 kilometers northwest from Nairobi and is along the way to Nakuru. Of course we didn’t know at the time that there have been hippo attacks in this area. Hippos being extremely territorial have attacked humans, with the latest incident just 2 days after our visit.
Blue skies and blue waters, with dead trees reaching up, and many water birds resting on a branch or twig. We took the boat safari and motored up to an island where we found a community of hippos lazing around. Most of them looked like they’re sleeping but every now and then, one or 2 would stand up snorting and grunting to stray a bit from the group. It’s hard (and scary) to imagine one of them biting into one Chinese tourist’s chest a couple of days after our visit. Read the tragic news after the wonderful morning spent here where we actually felt safe. A couple of hippos we found wallowing in the waters, peeking out, but our boat carefully observed a distance.
The water birds are another thing. The lake was teeming with trees sprouting out of the lake, providing resting branches for the pelicans, ibises, storks, and many more we couldn’t name. The trees by the lake shore bore many nests, mostly from yellow weavers. The entire place looks so serene and relaxing. The one hour boat safari was enough to see the resident hippos and birds. No wonder this place was chosen as one of the movie locations for “Out of Africa”. Remember that Redford-Streep starrer? I know, you must be humming the movie title’s song now. 🎵🎶
Some Hippo Trivia:
Hippos are 3rd largest land mammals after elephants and rhinos.
Hippos can run at 30 kms per hour.
Hippopotamus is a Greek term for “water horse”.
Hippos need to stay near the water to remain moist. If skin turns dry, it can crack.
Stay away from a “yawning”, honking, snorting and grunting hippo — such are signs that they’re marking their territories.
Life span is up to 40 years.
Closest relatives are whales and porpoises.
One of dangerous animals in Africa because they are highly aggressive especially when you get between them and the water.
Although they largely wallow in water and come out 4-5 hours only to graze, hippos can’t swim nor float. They can however hold their breath for up to 7 minutes.
Even while sleeping, hippos can resurface from the water without waking up.
Hippos secrete an oily red substance that acts as moisturiser and sunblock, but gives the appearance that they’re bleeding.
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