HUNTING TALE
The river “horse”
Unlike the jolly cartoon stereotype, the Hippo is the deadliest large land mammal in the world. A schoolyard bully – he is “overweight”, cantankerous, irritable and aggressive. He might look clumsy at first glance, but despite the short limbs he can easily outpace humans. So what attracts the trophy taker?
Vital Statistics
Latin name
Hippopotamus amphibius
Hippo Bull
Weight: 3,310lb [1,500kg]
Length: 10.8-17ft [3,3-5,2m]
Bite force: 8,100-8,900 newtons
Teeth: Incisors: 1,3ft [40cm], Canines: 1,6ft [50cm]
Speed: 19mph [30km/h] over short distances
Hippo Cow
Weight: 2,870lb [1,300kg]
Length: 10.8-16.5ft [3.3-5m]
Bite force: 8,100 newtons
COME HUNTING
One of the deadliest large land mammals in Africa
In South Africa we offer Hippo hunting in the Timbavati & Associated Reserves and Zululand. Mozambique where we hunt for monster crocs is another fabulous destination to hunt hippo and like most places, permits are limited. Best to use premium grade soft ammunition for the side or frontal brain shot. If you’re hoping for a shoulder shot, solids are the way to go. Its always best to have a combination of softs and solids on your belt whist hunting hippo and a 375H&H is the minimum calibre.
Hippo Trophies
Distribution
While the last hippo was reported killed in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa at the end of the 19th century, the species has since be re-established to the country. Today it is found in the waters of northern DRC, Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya, to the north in Ethiopia, Somalia and Sudan, to the west to The Gambia, and south to South Africa.
