International Hippo Day feels like the perfect moment to share the tale of our three most adventurous residents.
The floods came like they do in the Lowveld; abruptly, unapologetically, and leaving the landscape rearranged in their wake. Rivers swelled, roads sunk, and fences became mere suggestions rather than boundaries.
And at Khaya Ndlovu, three of our resident hippos decided it was time for an excursion.
A gap in the fence was all they needed. Through they went, making their way to the swelling dam on neighbouring Raptors View. Now, for those unfamiliar, Raptors View is a perfectly civilised plains-game estate. Residents walk. Children cycle. Joggers run mindlessly to the rhythm of their headphones. It is not, under normal circumstances, a place where one expects to round a bend and encounter 1.5 tonnes of territorial attitude.
It is important to remember that hippos, whilst they look quite cute with their eyes and ears peeking out as the bob around in the watery chaos, are not in fact cuddly. They are formidable, quick, and possess very strong opinions about almost everything.
So while the image may raise a smile from the deck at Khaya Ndlovu, the reality requires careful coordination. One does not simply escort a hippo home with a polite suggestion.
The challenge? Relocating them requires planning, expertise, equipment, and the sort of patience acquired only after years in Africa. Especially now that, in their brief absence, a couple of new hippos have settled into Hippo Dam, a small matter that may complicate the homecoming of the original trio.
For now, we keep a respectful eye on our travelling trio, allowing nature to settle before escorting them back.
And perhaps this is a fitting reminder for International Hippo Day:
Hippos don’t recognise property boundaries.
They follow water.
They follow instinct.
They follow opportunity in the wonderfully unscripted way of the wild.
And occasionally, they remind us of who truly owns the map.
We’ll keep you updated on the Great Hippo Homecoming.