Defying our expectations, there are violent vegans, and ferocious herbivores. Hippos and buffalos are two of the most dangerous animals on the savanna. Both are easily irritated and will charge the perceived threat or annoyance. At a top speed of nearly 25 miles an hour, hippos will crush, while the horns of buffaloes will pierce.
Our lodge was on a portion of the Mara river known as hippo bend. We saw hippos during the day and heard them at night. They need to spend at least 10 hours a day in water or they dehydrate and die.
Early in the morning many left for the grasses of the savanna. As evidenced by this footprint, they were sometimes within a few feet of our tent.
We saw hippos feeding during our game drives. Also a few relied on a waterhole rather than the river.
The horns of the buffalo inspire fear, but the young are still cute.
As fearsome at they are, birds keep them company perhaps as protection from predators.
A few more pictures, many featuring horns.
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