St Lucia, where Hippos Roam the Streets – Fascinating Facts About Our Most Famous Residents

The Hippo in Context

The name “hippopotamus” comes from ancient Greek, meaning “river horse.” But despite the name, hippos are not related to horses at all, their closest living relatives are actually whales and dolphins. This evolutionary link explains their semi-aquatic lifestyle and many of their adaptations for life in water.

Weighing up to three tonnes, the hippopotamus is the third-largest land mammal after elephants and rhinos. Yet, unlike those giants, hippos live a dual existence: water by day, land by night. They are perfectly designed for this rhythm, with eyes, ears, and nostrils positioned high on their heads so they can stay mostly submerged while still breathing and keeping watch.

Daily Life of a Hippo

A hippo’s day is deceptively calm. For most of the daylight hours, they wallow in rivers, lakes, or estuaries, protecting their skin from the sun and regulating their body temperature. Their social groups known as pods, schools, or bloats can include up to 30 individuals, led by a dominant male.

After sunset, the calm changes to activity. Hippos leave the water and fan out across the landscape to graze. They are surprisingly methodical: each individual follows a set route, worn into the earth over decades, leading them to the grasses they rely on. In a single night, one hippo can consume 35–40 kilograms of vegetation.

In St Lucia, this behaviour brings them into town. Well maintained gardens, parks, and grassy verges offer easy pickings, and so the hippos wander among streetlights and houses before returning to the estuary at dawn.

Hippos of St Lucia, A Thriving Population

The St Lucia Estuary supports one of the largest hippo populations in South Africa, estimated at around 800 individuals. The abundance of fresh water, grazing, and shelter makes this an ideal habitat. Their numbers are not only impressive but also vital: hippos are considered “ecosystem engineers.” By feeding on land and depositing nutrients back into the water through dung, they help fertilise aquatic ecosystems and support fish populations.

This abundance of hippos, combined with the unique layout of the village of St Lucia, within the iSimangaliso Wetlands Park, creates the extraordinary spectacle of wild hippos moving through a human settlement. It’s a rare and delicate balance between people and wildlife, one that fascinates biologists and visitors alike.

Fascinating Facts About Hippos

They don’t actually swim: Hippos move through water by walking or bouncing along the bottom. Despite appearances, they are not buoyant enough to float easily.
Built-in sunscreen: Their skin excretes a reddish oily fluid—nicknamed “blood sweat”—that acts as a sunscreen and has antibacterial properties.
Surprising agility: On land, they can sprint at 30 km/h for short distances, faster than most humans can run.
Powerful voices: A hippo’s calls and bellows can reach 115 decibels—louder than a rock concert—and can travel over a kilometre across water.
A dangerous reputation: Hippos are responsible for more human deaths in Africa than lions or elephants. Their unpredictable nature means keeping a respectful distance is essential.
Long-lived giants: In the wild, hippos can live up to 40 years, with some in protected environments reaching their late 50s.

The Soundtrack of St Lucia Nights

Ask any guest who has stayed in St Lucia what they remember most vividly, and chances are they will mention the sound of hippos. Their grunts, groans, and booming calls carry across the estuary and drift through the village streets at night. It is both a lullaby and a reminder that this is not an ordinary town.

Walking home after dinner, you may hear the crunch of grass nearby and catch sight of a massive silhouette grazing quietly on a lawn. It is an encounter that leaves even seasoned travellers awestruck: a wild, three-tonne animal living in harmony, albeit carefully, with human neighbours.

How to Safely View Hippos in St Lucia

Part of the magic of St Lucia is the possibility of seeing hippos not only on an estuary cruise but also right in the village itself. However, it’s important to remember that while they may seem calm, hippos are powerful and unpredictable wild animals. A safe and respectful distance ensures both your safety and theirs.

Keep Your Distance: Never approach a hippo on foot, whether in town, on the roadside, or by the water. Give them plenty of space and change your route if necessary.
Do Not Startle Them: Hippos are easily startled. Avoid loud noises, sudden movements, or shining bright lights directly at them.
Stay in Vehicles at Night: If you encounter a hippo on the road, remain in your car until it has moved off. They can outrun a human easily.
Choose Guided Experiences: The safest and most rewarding way to observe hippos is on a guided boat cruise along the St Lucia Estuary, where you’ll learn fascinating insights from experienced guides.
Respect Their Routine: Remember that hippos are in town to graze. Blocking their path or attempting to get too close for a photograph can provoke aggression.
By observing these simple guidelines, visitors can enjoy unforgettable hippo encounters while helping to protect one of St Lucia’s most treasured inhabitants.

A Wild Encounter Like No Other

The hippos of St Lucia are more than a spectacle, they are living proof that people and wildlife can share space when respect is at the centre of coexistence. Nowhere else on earth can you finish dinner, step outside, and meet a hippo on its nightly wander.

When you visit, watch the estuary at sunset, listen for the deep grunts that roll through the village at night, and if you’re lucky, catch a glimpse of a hippo grazing by the roadside. It is an encounter that captures the very essence of St Lucia: a place where Africa’s wild heart is not just nearby—it walks the streets with you.