The Day I Kissed A Hippo
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Hippo Experience
Her name is Jessica and her lips were cold! I thought they might be slimy feeling but they weren't. It was one of my best wildlife experiences in the world.
Jessica is an adult hippopotamus living in Limpopo, South Africa and I am so grateful to have met and interacted with her.
Safari Lodge
We were staying with our friends at their safari game lodge Rockfig, a stunningly beautiful lodge in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve.
One Monday we did a trip to the little town of Hoedspruit nearby and our friend Bruce made an appointment for our group to pop in and meet Jessica, for an unforgettable travel experience.
Jessica was born in 2000, during floods in South Africa and she was found on the banks of the Blyde River. Tonie Joubert raised her as she would never have survived on her own.
The chance to interact with a wild hippo is an amazing experience. Tonie informs you about all the safety aspects to be aware of and facts and figures of hippos.
Jessica is free to roam but because she was brought up by the Joubert's she always returns home and loves being fed a bottle of rooibos tea.
The hippopotamus is the third largest living mammal on land and the average hippo weight is around 1,480 kg (3,260 lb) for bulls and 1,365 kg (3,009 lb) for cows. They are reckoned to be one of the most dangerous animals if they feel threatened or attacked.
They are herbivores so Jessica eats grass but she loves carrots and apples too.
Hippopotamus can live up to the age of 40, so Jessica is only halfway there. She was pregnant at the beginning of this year but her calf was born a bit early and did not survive, so hopefully she will fall pregnant again soon.
Meeting and interacting with Jessica was an amazing experience. If you love animals it is a real privilege to interact with a wild animal that you would never normally be able to touch or feed. It is only because she was saved by the Joubert's that this opportunity has come about.
It is truly inspiring and humbling to be able to have this connection with such a beautiful large wild animal.
This truly was one of my best wildlife experiences in the world.
For other activities in the Hoedpruit area you can visit Bourke's Lucks Potholes, God's Window etc.
Directions
From Hoedspruit:
Take the R527 towards Lydenburg. About 8km out of town have a look out for a sign that says Essex and another sign that says Jessica the hippo. Turn right there and follow the dirt road for about 7km. Just before the low water bridge on your right you will see a gate with Jessica Hippo
Maruleng | S 24°19.552’ E 30°49.959’
(+27) 15 817 1865
Hours
- Mon-Sat 09:00AM - 11:00AM | 14:00PM - 15:00PM
- Sun 09:00AM -11:00AM
Cost : Adults: R 150.00 Per Person +- $8.00