Hippos in the Mara River

It was baking hot by the time we reached the Mara River, the tree-lined watercourse that threads through the heart of the Masai Mara. 

Basking happily mid-river, protected from the mid-day heat, were several clusters of hippos; heads emerged with a snort, and the hippos seem to yawn, teeth glaring before disappearing beneath the muddy water. 

As their heads dipped, their huge grey backs emerged, like large hunks of rock in the river.

On the other bank, a couple of two-metre crocodiles were sun-bathing – no threat to the huge hippos!