Angry, angry Hippo! (Charging & hitting our photo hide)
p.1 #1Angry, angry Hippo! (Charging & hitting our photo hide)
A Hippo bull charged my guide as he was trying to fix an outside remote camera @ the hide, hitting the shipping container causing the whole structure to violently shake! 🫨
He was perfectly OK having dived behind the hide for protection! Just being my guide and myself, I was left inside to capture this incredible moment with the outside impact some 4ft from where I was sitting!
Here's a 5 shot selection from that incident. Probably one of my best ever photo hide days that started off with a Leopardess
visiting early morning and finishing with a 40+ matriarchal Elephant herd. Anyone who's spent time in a photo hide in Africa will know just how rare seeing a Leopard show up really is, not to mention a rampaging Hippo bull !!!
Note the 100mm focal length.
Kamasot hide, Musekese, Kafue NP- Zambia.
Nikon Z9
Nikkor Z100-400 f/4.5-5.6
f/4.5
2000s
ISO250@ 100mm.
Nikon Z9
Nikkor Z100-400 f/4.5-5.6
f/4.5
2000s
ISO280@ 100mm.
Nikon Z9
Nikkor Z100-400 f/4.5-5.6
f/4.5
2000s
ISO280@ 100mm.
Nikon Z9
Nikkor Z100-400 f/4.5-5.6
f/4.5
2000s
ISO250@ 100mm.
Nikon Z9
Nikkor Z100-400 f/4.5-5.6
f/4.5
2000s
ISO320@ 100mm.
Cheers
Marc
Edited on Nov 29, 2025 at 02:40 PM · View previous versions
He was perfectly OK having dived behind the hide for protection! Just being my guide and myself, I was left inside to capture this incredible moment with the outside impact some 4ft from where I was sitting!
Here's a 5 shot selection from that incident. Probably one of my best ever photo hide days that started off with a Leopardess
visiting early morning and finishing with a 40+ matriarchal Elephant herd. Anyone who's spent time in a photo hide in Africa will know just how rare seeing a Leopard show up really is, not to mention a rampaging Hippo bull !!!
Note the 100mm focal length.
Kamasot hide, Musekese, Kafue NP- Zambia.
Nikon Z9
Nikkor Z100-400 f/4.5-5.6
f/4.5
2000s
ISO250@ 100mm.
Nikon Z9
Nikkor Z100-400 f/4.5-5.6
f/4.5
2000s
ISO280@ 100mm.
Nikon Z9
Nikkor Z100-400 f/4.5-5.6
f/4.5
2000s
ISO280@ 100mm.
Nikon Z9
Nikkor Z100-400 f/4.5-5.6
f/4.5
2000s
ISO250@ 100mm.
Nikon Z9
Nikkor Z100-400 f/4.5-5.6
f/4.5
2000s
ISO320@ 100mm.
Cheers
Marc
Edited on Nov 29, 2025 at 02:40 PM · View previous versions
Nov 29, 2025 at 06:15 AM
p.1 #2Angry, angry Hippo! (Charging & hitting our photo hide)
The next to the last is my pick Marc. Crazy things happen and I'm glad you are both OK.
Morris
Morris
Nov 29, 2025 at 07:13 AM
p.1 #3Angry, angry Hippo! (Charging & hitting our photo hide)
Amazing shots, Marc! I hope you were wearing 'Depends' ! 
Greg
Greg
Nov 29, 2025 at 08:29 AM
p.1 #4Angry, angry Hippo! (Charging & hitting our photo hide)
I’m with Morris the second last image is favorite, but they are all great. You can,t believe the size and strength of these beasts until you see them up close. I saw about 50 in a small pond in Tanzania and couldn’t believe how powerful they are.
Dave
Dave
Nov 29, 2025 at 08:39 AM
p.1 #5Angry, angry Hippo! (Charging & hitting our photo hide)
Great sequence! Glad you had protection!! 
Nov 29, 2025 at 09:25 AM
p.1 #6Angry, angry Hippo! (Charging & hitting our photo hide)
Fantastic action sequence! Glad you're ok.
Margaret
Margaret
Nov 29, 2025 at 12:19 PM
p.1 #7Angry, angry Hippo! (Charging & hitting our photo hide)
The last couple images really capture the action! They are one of the most dangerous animals. I've only seen them a few times in Kenya & they either were getting out of the water & going away from us (luckily) or just lazing in the water. They move much faster than their size would lead one to believe.
Nov 29, 2025 at 04:33 PM
p.1 #8Angry, angry Hippo! (Charging & hitting our photo hide)
lovely powerful series, Marc. voted.
Nov 29, 2025 at 09:46 PM
p.1 #9Angry, angry Hippo! (Charging & hitting our photo hide)
Monika C wrote:
The last couple images really capture the action! They are one of the most dangerous animals. I've only seen them a few times in Kenya & they either were getting out of the water & going away from us (luckily) or just lazing in the water. They move much faster than their size would lead one to believe.
Many thanks Monika
Yes, Hippo are responsible for more wildlife attacks & deaths than any other mammal in Africa. This was not my first dangerous Hippo charge and possibly not the last either, being a veteran of over 50+ trips here.
The last couple images really capture the action! They are one of the most dangerous animals. I've only seen them a few times in Kenya & they either were getting out of the water & going away from us (luckily) or just lazing in the water. They move much faster than their size would lead one to believe.
Many thanks Monika
Yes, Hippo are responsible for more wildlife attacks & deaths than any other mammal in Africa. This was not my first dangerous Hippo charge and possibly not the last either, being a veteran of over 50+ trips here.
Nov 30, 2025 at 03:28 PM
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p.1 #10Angry, angry Hippo! (Charging & hitting our photo hide)
He sure does not look happy. Glad you guys are ok.
Nov 30, 2025 at 07:49 PM
p.1 #11Angry, angry Hippo! (Charging & hitting our photo hide)
Dave_E wrote:
I’m with Morris the second last image is favorite, but they are all great. You can,t believe the size and strength of these beasts until you see them up close. I saw about 50 in a small pond in Tanzania and couldn’t believe how powerful they are.
Dave
Many thanks Dave.
Yes............Hippo are not to be messed with!
I’m with Morris the second last image is favorite, but they are all great. You can,t believe the size and strength of these beasts until you see them up close. I saw about 50 in a small pond in Tanzania and couldn’t believe how powerful they are.
Dave
Many thanks Dave.
Yes............Hippo are not to be messed with!
Dec 01, 2025 at 02:38 PM
p.1 #12Angry, angry Hippo! (Charging & hitting our photo hide)
Can't believe these are at 100mm! Your steady hand in a dicey situation certainly paid off with some great captures.
Dec 01, 2025 at 05:00 PM
p.1 #13Angry, angry Hippo! (Charging & hitting our photo hide)
Wow, this is a moment to remember and brag about. Bruce
Dec 01, 2025 at 09:12 PM
p.1 #14Angry, angry Hippo! (Charging & hitting our photo hide)
Thanks for all the positive comments folks, greatly appreciated!
Dec 03, 2025 at 07:11 PM
p.1 #15Angry, angry Hippo! (Charging & hitting our photo hide)
Awesome series. That's one way to get the heart pumping! Thank you for sharing the story.
Dec 04, 2025 at 01:34 PM
p.1 #16Angry, angry Hippo! (Charging & hitting our photo hide)
I have posted a short video of the Hippo charge over on YT for those who might be interested.
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Dec 05, 2025 at 06:19 AM
p.1 #17Angry, angry Hippo! (Charging & hitting our photo hide)
VKM2F wrote:
Awesome series. That's one way to get the heart pumping! Thank you for sharing the story.
Many thanks VK
Awesome series. That's one way to get the heart pumping! Thank you for sharing the story.
Many thanks VK
Dec 05, 2025 at 06:11 PM
p.1 #18Angry, angry Hippo! (Charging & hitting our photo hide)
Nice giant shot.. well done
Dec 05, 2025 at 10:51 PM