Africa is not a ‘walk in the park’.
Not everyone knows that the most dangerous wild animals in Africa are not lions or crocodiles, but Hippopotamuses.
It’s estimated that some 500 people are killed by Hippos in Africa every year – but that does not stop tourists to want to have a closer look.
Viral videos have taken the internet by storm this weekend, showing just how dangerous these animals can be.
In South Africa, one boat suffered the wrath of the gigantic beast:
South Africa’s Kruger Park: A quiet boat ride turns terrifying when a hippo lunges, flipping the vessel. pic.twitter.com/6GopVBnhSE
— Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) August 4, 2026
Elsewhere in the continent, another tourist expedition nearly goes horribly wrong, as a boat filled with tourists almost got more than they bargained for.
Hoping to take a closer look at the wildlife, the to take group got to take a home very frightening experience.
The New York Post reported:
“Viral video footage captures the heart-pounding moment a massive hippo charged after a tour boat in Botswana, racing through the water in hot pursuit of the escaping boat.
The tour boat was traveling along the waterway when the group spotted a lone male hippo in the distance, prompting the captain to slow down to avoid disturbing the territorial animal.”
🇧🇼 A hippo in Botswana saw a tourist boat and LOCKED IN like a cruise missile, though it looked more like a really obese dolphin 😂
I think I’m good on the boat tours in hippo territory…
(they kill more people than lions, by the way)
Writers: Daniyal, Michael…
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) August 7, 2026
“Despite spending much of their lives in the water, hippos have an unusual way of getting around. Rather than relying solely on traditional swimming strokes, they often propel themselves through shallow water by pushing off the bottom in a galloping or bounding motion.”
Read more:
Ad block users: Some site features may not work correctly while an ad blocker is enabled, because they break scripts and content this website depends on. If you can’t see comments below, for example, please disable your ad blocker.