A viral video showing a family of hippos casually walking through the streets of St Lucia has captured the hearts of South Africans and tourists alike – and served as the perfect advertisement for KwaZulu-Natal’s unique blend of wildlife and coastal charm.
The clip, widely shared on social media this week, shows a mother hippo and her calf ambling down a busy street as onlookers record and marvel at the sight.
Locals can be heard gasping and laughing in delight, while tourists express amazement at seeing the animals so close – a scene that, for St Lucia residents, is part of everyday life.
Eco-tourism destination
Situated within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, St Lucia is one of the country’s most popular eco-tourism destinations.
The town is famed for its large resident hippo population, which frequently ventures out of the water and into the streets at night or during cooler hours.
According to the town’s tourism website, St Lucia is the most visited small town in Africa, drawing travellers eager to witness its unique coexistence of wildlife and human life.
Surreal scene
The viral footage once again highlights the town’s natural allure – where beach holidays, wetland safaris, and wildlife encounters seamlessly merge.
While the scene may seem surreal to outsiders, locals say it’s simply part of the rhythm of life in St Lucia. As one resident quipped online, “Only in St Lucia do the hippos have right of way.”
