#18 - The Hippopotamus

Large, round, and seemingly laid-back, it spends its days resting in the water. Yet, the hippopotamus is fast, formidable, and remarkably well-adapted to a life split between water and land. In this episode, I explain why hippos don’t actually swim in the true sense, how they manage to sleep underwater, why bulls use their tails to scatter their own dung, and why their loud calls can be heard for kilometers across the African bush. We’ll also look at their massive canine teeth, "blood sweat," and their young—as well as the question of why these herbivores sometimes even nibble on animal carcasses. .............................................................................. Become my patron on Patreon! [https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheSafariGuide/membership](https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheSafariGuide/membership) Thank you! ..............................................................................

The African rock python is the largest snake in southern Africa—and one of the most impressive sights on a safari. In this episode, I recount a personal encounter from my time training as a safari guide: what looked like a branch on the track suddenly turned out to be a four-to-five-meter-long rock python. We explore the lifestyle of this powerful constrictor, looking at its camouflage, hunting techniques, and astonishing ability to swallow large prey whole. We also discuss its affinity for water, its climbing skills, how it moves without legs, the female’s brood care, and some common misconceptions about pythons. The African rock python is non-venomous, yet it commands respect. It is an animal that reveals just how much remains hidden within the African bush. .............................................................................. Become my patron on Patreon! [https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheSafariGuide/membership](https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheSafariGuide/membership) Thank you! ..............................................................................

The impala is one of the animals most frequently spotted on safari—and precisely for that reason, it is often underestimated. Yet, there is so much more to this elegant antelope: alertness, speed, social grooming, impressive leaps, and a sophisticated reproductive strategy. In this episode, we explore why impalas are so successful, how they protect themselves from predators, why grooming is vital for their survival, and why their young are almost all born at the same time. I also discuss the difference between the common impala and the black-faced impala—as well as small details easily overlooked on safari: the black tufts of hair on their hind legs, the striking stripes on their rumps, and their distinctive coat coloration. .............................................................................. Become my patron on Patreon! [https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheSafariGuide/membership](https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheSafariGuide/membership) Thank you! ..............................................................................

The spotted hyena doesn't have a particularly good reputation. Many consider it cowardly, ugly, and a mere scavenger. But this image doesn't do it justice. This episode is about an animal that is far more fascinating than many realize: The spotted hyena is a successful hunter, a skilled scavenger, an endurance runner, and part of a highly complex social life. In their clans, the females call the shots, hierarchies are inherited, and communication relies on vocalizations, scent marking, and rituals. We also explore the hyena's famous call, its "laugh," its powerful jaws, its unique reproductive biology, and the question of whether spotted hyenas can be dangerous to humans. An episode about an animal that shouldn't be judged too hastily—because those who look closer will discover one of the most captivating voices of the African night. The episode explains, among other things, that spotted hyenas are not dogs, but are more closely related to felines, and that females dominate the clans. .............................................................................. Become my patron on Patreon! [https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheSafariGuide/membership](https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheSafariGuide/membership) Thank you! ..............................................................................

This episode is about an animal many have seen on safari—but often only briefly notice: the millipede. In South Africa, it's frequently called a shongololo, a name that perfectly suits its slow, undulating movement. The millipede isn't a hunter, a dangerous predator, or an animal that makes safari vehicles suddenly brake. And yet, it's incredibly important. It eats dead plant material, fungi, and sometimes even dung—helping to return nutrients to the soil. We'll discuss why millipedes usually don't have a thousand legs, how they move, why they curl up when threatened, and how their chemical defenses work. I'll also share a special observation I made in Addo Elephant National Park, where I once witnessed millipedes mating. An episode about a small animal with a big role—and why safaris aren't just about lions, elephants, and leopards. .............................................................................. Become my patron on Patreon! [https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheSafariGuide/membership](https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheSafariGuide/membership) Thank you! ..............................................................................

They like to sit over the breakfast table, waiting for the perfect moment—and suddenly the biscuit is gone. In this episode, I'll explain why the vervet monkey isn't a cat, but a monkey, how its complex social life works, and why mutual grooming is much more than just coat care. We'll discuss hierarchies, family bonds, alarm calls, clever food thieves, and the crucial question of why you should never feed these animals. You'll also learn why adult males display such striking colors, how young vervet monkeys grow up in the group, and why they can sometimes be invaluable helpers for safari guides, warning them of leopards, snakes, or birds of prey. .............................................................................. Become my patron on Patreon! [https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheSafariGuide/membership](https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheSafariGuide/membership) Thank you! ..............................................................................

Baboon spiders are among the most fascinating animals in southern Africa. They are large, hairy, nocturnal, and spend most of their lives in underground burrows lined with silk. This episode explores why the baboon spider is called that, how it detects its prey through vibrations, how it produces silk, what happens during mating, and why its burrow is vital for its survival. I also explain how dangerous a bite really is, what predators baboon spiders have, and why molting is a process of growth, risk, and repair for spiders all at once. .............................................................................. Become my patron on Patreon! [https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheSafariGuide/membership](https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheSafariGuide/membership) Thank you! ..............................................................................

When people think of safari, most think of lions. But experienced guides know: the most dangerous animal is often a different one. The African buffalo is considered unpredictable, powerful – and especially on foot, particularly dangerous. In this episode, you’ll learn why even professionals treat it with great respect. We explore herd behavior, communication, reproduction, and the role of the so-called “dagha boys.” You’ll also learn what to watch for on a walking safari – and why sometimes a small bird can make all the difference. We also take a closer look at the buffalo’s role in the ecosystem, its diet, diseases like tuberculosis – and why it is far more than just a large animal with horns. .............................................................................. Become my patron on Patreon! [https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheSafariGuide/membership](https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheSafariGuide/membership) Thank you! ..............................................................................

A flash of blue over the water – and then it's gone again. Kingfishers are among Africa's most striking, yet often underestimated, birds. This episode is about much more than just their spectacular colors: Why isn't their blue a pigment? Which species actually hunt fish – and which don't? How do they manage to correct the refraction of light in the water? I'll take you to Africa's rivers and waterholes and show you how kingfishers hunt, why they always swallow their prey headfirst, and what's behind their unusual nests. We'll also discuss the hovering flight of the grey kingfisher, cooperative breeding, sounds in the bush – and how you can reliably identify kingfishers on safari. An episode for everyone who wants to not only see animals, but understand them. .............................................................................. Become my patron on Patreon! [https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheSafariGuide/membership](https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheSafariGuide/membership) Thank you! ..............................................................................

A sound you recognize instantly—but can hardly place. It's loud, piercing, and seems to come from all directions at once. And yet, its source usually remains invisible. This episode is about the cicada—one of the loudest insects in the world. I'll explain how this amazing creature produces its sound, why it's so hard to find, and why its life is largely hidden. You'll learn what's behind its sudden silence, why entire landscapes can begin to "sing," and what the final molt is all about. An episode about heat, sound—and an insect you often hear but rarely see. .............................................................................. Become my patron on Patreon! [https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheSafariGuide/membership](https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheSafariGuide/membership) Thank you! ..............................................................................