Some drives or moments immediately become highly ranked as a top memory in our tenure as a guide. An experience which you just know is going to be something you won’t ever forget… and a recent rainy morning game drive was one of these moments for me.
With summer in full swing, February has been characterized by a lot of rainfall, cloudy landscapes, lush and vibrant hues of greens and FULL water holes.
This particular morning was no different. We set off in the rain, with a positive attitude towards the miserable weather and headed into the central parts of Londolozi with no set intention or plan. Cruising down a crest towards a very central, prominent water hole, we heard a thunderous mix of deep grunts, guttural bellows, and explosive splashing coming from up ahead. Equalizer and I shared a quick excited glance at each other before I picked up the pace and told the guests that we needed to get to the nearby waterhole ASAP.
What transpired over the next hour and a half was incredible! We forgot about the rain and sat on the edge of our seats as we became engulfed in the action all around us.
Hopefully, the images and short video below recreate the scene and allow you to get a sense of what our morning was like.
I’ll let the images do the talking…
We arrived at Shingi Dam (central water hole) to see two hippo bulls fighting. This is always a unique thing to witness, and we quickly positioned ourselves and got cameras ready to watch it continue to unfold.
Their powerful jaws open and ivory tusks clash. The impact produces a deep, resonant thud, followed by an eerie scraping as the tusks grind against each other in a test of dominance. It’s a sensory overload, added to the loud splashing of water as they push their weight around in the shallow waters.
There are several reasons why we might find hippo bulls fighting… territorial disputes; mating rights; hierarchy establishments; or, scarce resources during dry seasons. These battles determine who’s more dominant and can last for several hours if the bulls are equally matched.
These fights can be brutal. Bulls use their massive jaws and 40–50 cm (16–20 inch) long tusks to inflict deep wounds (you can see blood on the inside of the jaw). They charge, bite, and clash their tusks with explosive force, often leaving one or both seriously injured depending on how serious the fight is. The winner claims dominance, while the loser is often forced into exile, becoming a nomad until he can challenge again.
As they lunge at each other, their massive bodies crash against the water, sending up sprays and making a sound like someone slapping the surface of a pool with great force. The whole scene is an intense blend of aggression, dominance, and sheer brute strength often with interludes of calm as both bulls take moments to catch their breath.
While fixated on the hippos, we were unaware of a significantly large herd of elephants approaching that decided it was a perfect time to go for a swim! One could almost sense the giddy excitement and relief the elephants felt for the rainy weather relieving the summer heat and replenishing the land.
An impressive elephant bull approaches the water.
The splashing of water, rain droplets and additional clashing of ivory tusks now coming from the elephants continued to create a sensory overload as watched in fascination and amazement.
Complete chaos in the best possible sense. While on one end of the water hole hippo bulls were fighting for dominance, on this end elephants were exuding their joy as they toppled over one another in the water having the best time.
Our perspective of the hippos while sitting with the elephants.
To witness hippos fighting or elephants swimming are both incredibly unique sightings. So to experience them both at the same time was even more special, and definitely made it a morning we will not forget.
Wow Kate, what an absolute once in a lifetime experience for both yourself and the guests. I’m sure this will become a global talking point as the guests return home. I noticed 2 large objects in the dead tree at the watering hole during the video. What nests are those? or are they something else?
Thanks for bringing all the excitement to us!!! Photos are spectacular!
What a wonderful sighting for you and your guests, Kate. I’ve been lucky enough to watch 2 hippo bulls fighting (at the causeway, with a magnificent sunset behind them!) but have never seen ellies swimming or playing in water.
Sensory overload indeed! How fun to be able to watch both encounters at the same time. I’m glad the elephants were unperturbed by the hippos. I would have loved to be able to read their thoughts about the whole situation.
Hi Kate, superb, I noticed at the end of the video a hippo was spraying his excrement and wagging his tail, was he the definitive winner of the fight? Yes, a terrifying view and the violence of the clashes between those kings of the river is almost disturbing and fascinating at the same time. To get elephants and hippos in action at the same time must have been fantastic, the giants of earth and the kings of the river all together. I love both species, hippos are fundamental to build and keep the river course healthy and thriving, they can turn from the most pacific creature on earth to the most aggressive… yes they are capable of great aggression but also there are many testimonials about them saving and helping other hippos or other animals. Their intelligence is complex and their impressive ivory teeth make them animals at risk like elephants… a reason for such intense fight may be explained also by the fact that a nomadic life put the looser’s life at risk, also to dehydration, being no longer allowed to the water pool…. fascinating!
Incredible Kate
Hi Kate, what a wonderful experience watching one side of the dam with the hippos fighting for dominance and the other side watching the elephants playing in the water. That was one huge elephant that walked past. From fighting to utter joy is remarkable in the same dam.
Fantastic photos and video, Kate.
I wouldn’t like to get too close to such a hippo bull in fighting mood. Their teeth are tremendous.
One can really feel the pleasure the elephants have while fooling around in the water.
Great sightings!
What an incredible sighting, Kate! The two situations are brilliant examples of the diversity of subject and situation in so much of what you all post here! Amazing!
That was certainly an amazing morning and truly unforgettable! I’m glad to see the hippos’ tussle end quietly with no blood shed – territorial dispute perhaps. Besides just loving to watch elephants, they’re especially fun to watch in water, playing and spraying.