For locals in St Lucia, hippo sightings are part of everyday life, but for the rest of the world, the latest viral video feels almost unbelievable.
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (04 September 2025) – Only in South Africa could your evening walk turn into a front-row seat to one of the wildest encounters imaginable. A video showing hippos casually roaming the streets of St Lucia has gone viral, leaving thousands of people amazed, amused and a little bit awed.
The video was shared by “Yvonne in the Bush“, a personal blog on Facebook.
“In 2012 I exchanged the Dutch city for the bush in South Africa. I live with my husband and son between the elephants, lions and other wild animals.”
She captioned her latest video, explaining what she had seen.
“Only in Africa can you find hippos, warthogs and monkeys in the middle of town! … St Lucia; the town where people and wild animals live together.”
St Lucia, tucked along the KwaZulu-Natal coastline, is unlike anywhere else. It’s the only town in South Africa that sits entirely within a World Heritage Site, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Nature is woven into the fabric of everyday life here. And even though locals are used to spotting hippos on the estuary, grazing on golf courses, or wandering through neighbourhoods at night, Yvonne says her latest sighting was the most extraordinary yet.
“During our first night in the town we saw three hippos in the main street. I have seen hippos in town before, but never anything like this. It was by far the best hippo sighting in town I ever had.”
Her footage has everyone talking, not only because of the sight itself, but because of how close some people were willing to get. While hippos might look relaxed as they munch on lawns, they are still one of Africa’s most dangerous animals. Yvonne pointed this out in her post.
“As you can see in my movie people don’t keep the appropriate distance to these wild animals. People seem to forget that hippos are responsible for over 500 deaths each year.”
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“I love the atmosphere, the restaurants, the shops, the activities… but most of all I love the wildlife in town.”
Still, while the sightings feel like something out of a safari, experts and locals agree on one thing: keep your distance. If you come across a hippo, don’t approach, don’t corner it… and don’t assume you’re faster because you’re not. Stay calm, back away slowly and let them do their thing.
Social media users who watched the viral video echoed the same mix of wonder and caution.
“I can’t imagine walking down the street and just seeing some hippos pass by 🤣 They are huge and should be admired from a distance.”
“Think I’ll have to add St Lucia to my next visit to SA.”
“It feels kind of surreal, going back to our hotel after an evening meal and having to stand well back whilst waiting for the hippos to move… and then having my bag tugged by a monkey!”
“Amazing video! People need to be more cautious! And admire from a safe distance.”
The video may show a slightly chaotic meeting of people and wildlife, but it’s also a reminder of how extraordinary South Africa is. St Lucia is a place where hippos are your neighbours, monkeys are your early morning companions and every evening walk could turn into an unforgettable story.
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