hippo, Kruger National Park

What I didn't realize before going to Kruger is that hippos kill more tourists than any other animal in Africa. People don't realize that they are dangerous and go right up to them to get a better look. Hippos will feel quite threatened if approached by humans, especially if you get between them and the water. If you ever meet up with a hippo face to face, your best course of action would be to back away, calmly and slowly.

It may look large and lazy, but this mammal is responsible for the most deaths by animal every year in Africa.

Be very vigilant after dark. This is when they wander for food and bump into unsuspecting victims. Their most frequent victims are people in the rural areas, when they go swimming or wash their laundry in the local river.

Although they appear docile, Hippos are responsible for more deaths in Africa than any other animal due to there territorial nature. If you run across one keep a healthy distance.