Hippopotamus surfacing in Kosi Lake at iSimangaliso Wetland Park - stock photo

A wild hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) keeps a low profile as it peers cautiously above the surface of the water, revealing only its eyes and ears. This behavior minimizes exposure while maintaining awareness of threats or intruders. Kosi Lake, part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its unique biodiversity and sustainable conservation practices. Large mammals like hippos are key to maintaining ecological balance, and observing them from a safe distance is a popular activity for nature-based tourism and safaris in southern Africa.