Kazinga channel is the only channel with the highest concentration of hippos in the whole world. Some visitors have classified the Kazinga channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park as the paradise of hippos.

The name hippopotamuses come from the ancient Greeks’ “river horse”, hippos look much like wild pigs and according to the researchers, they believe that the evolution of the hippos come from wild pigs some forty million years ago.

Hippopotamuses are known to bask on the shoreline and secrete an oily red substance which gives rise to a myth that they sweat blood. The liquid is akin moistener and bun block that may also protect against germs. Hippopotamus has been recorded as one of the most aggressive creatures in the world and is regarded as one of the most dangerous animals on the African continent.

Hippos kill more people than any other animal in Africa. The semi-aquatic hippos remain in the water during the day to keep cool and they will emerge from the water to graze on grassland at dusk. They are enticing to travelers with their breathing mechanism of pushing water out which visitors especially those always on boat cruise safaris in the Kazinga channel do enjoy.

Besides, its stocky shape and short legs, the hippos can outrun human beings having been recorded to have clocked at 30km/hr over short distances. The hippos are known to spin their tails like a propeller to spray the feces. This is called dung showering and it is used to mark territories. Therefore, you shouldn’t stand near a defecating hippo.

The hippos’ eyes and nostrils are perched on top of their heads allowing them to stay almost entirely submerged for much of the day. The adult ones need to resurface every 3-5 minutes to breathe. The surface and breathing process is automatic and even a hippo sleeping underwater will rise and breathe without waking.

A boat ride on the Kazinga channel grants the highest chances of viewing bird species and the hippos amidst their threatening and loud sound in the waters while a visit at dusk can offer that incredible experience as you view hippos move out of water for grazing. Hippo Hill camp is also known to provide magnificent views of hippos in Lake Edward. Visitors can view hippos in Lake Edward especially when you move and stand on the nearby lake in Lake Katwe Kabatoro Town council.