Where to See Hippos in Uganda: Best Spots and Safety

Updated 20 October 2026

The best places to see hippos in Uganda are the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park, which has one of Africa’s highest concentrations of hippos, and the Nile below Murchison Falls, where boat trips pass pods of hippos and huge crocodiles. Lake Mburo and the Nile near Jinja also offer sightings. The easiest way to see them close up is from a boat, in the afternoon, when hippos lie in the shallows.

Kazinga Channel, Queen Elizabeth

The Kazinga Channel links Lake George and Lake Edward, and the two-hour boat trip from Mweya passes groups of dozens of hippos, often alongside buffalo and elephants drinking at the water’s edge, Nile crocodiles and many waterbirds. It is one of the highlights of any Uganda safari and fits easily between Kibale and Bwindi. See our guide to Queen Elizabeth and the Kazinga Channel.

Murchison Falls and other places

In Murchison Falls National Park, the boat trip from Paraa upstream to the foot of the falls passes many hippos and some of Africa’s largest crocodiles, and the delta trip downstream towards Lake Albert adds the chance of a shoebill. Lake Mburo’s boat trip from Rwonyo shows hippos at close range, and hippos also live along the Nile near Jinja and in Semliki. Lake Bunyonyi, popular after gorilla treks, has no hippos. See our guides to Murchison Falls and Lake Mburo.

Watching hippos safely

Hippos spend the day in water to keep cool and come out at night to graze, sometimes walking several kilometres. They are responsible for many human deaths in Africa, mostly when people come between them and water or approach in small boats. Stay in vehicles or with your guide, never walk near the water’s edge at dusk or at night, and follow instructions at lakeside lodges, where hippos may graze on the lawns after dark. See our guide to night game drives. The gorilla permit costs US$800, or US$600 in April, May and November.

Frequently asked questions