One safari boat ride suddenly became a very fast exit.
Today’s “Woopsies!” edition comes courtesy of tourist Oznur Bell, whose Botswana safari delivered one of those wildlife moments that goes from majestic to MOVE, MOVE, MOVE in about half a second.
Bell was traveling by boat with three of her children and a close friend, moving from one safari camp to another through a narrow water channel, when the group came upon a lone male hippo in the water.
The guide initially slowed the boat to avoid disturbing the territorial animal. After watching its behavior, however, he quickly told everyone to hold on and accelerated. That instinct was right on the money: moments later, the group looked back and realized the hippo was charging after them.
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Bell told Storyful she already had her phone out because she had been filming an elephant shortly before the encounter. Pure timing meant the camera kept rolling as the hippo repeatedly surged through the water behind the moving boat.
The whole thing lasted only seconds, but that was plenty. Bell described it as one of the most terrifying experiences she had ever had, while stressing that the group had no intention of provoking the animal or invading its space. The guides later explained that hippos are territorial, although actually pursuing boats is uncommon.
And yes, the guides are smiling by the end—but Bell said those faces were about relief, not anybody treating the chase like a joke. For a few moments, everyone aboard was genuinely worried.
Watch the Wild Hippo Chase the Tourist Boat in Botswana
Bell captured the frantic pursuit as the boat accelerated away from the territorial male hippo.
Watch the hippo chase on INYIM Media’s Instagram.
Source: Oznur Bell via Storyful; PEOPLE.
