Safari Boat Spots ‘Moto Moto' the Hippo in the Wild-and He's Definitely Big and Chunky

Madagascar is my second-favorite movie franchise ever, second only to Shrek, of course. And just like with Shrek, my favorite Madagascar movie is the second one: Madagascar 2: Escape 2 Africa! It has the best soundtrack, the best visuals, and Moto Moto, who's hilarious.

Recently, one safari boat actually spotted a huge Hippo out in the wild who looks exactly like Moto Moto. He's big, chunky, and probably a huge hip with the rest of the lady Hippos:

@jackykarwathova

I think moto moto likes me This was such a crazy experience in Chobe National Park! And yes, everyone was safe lol #hippo#chobenationalpark#botswana#motomoto#boatride

original sound - clips_Ahoy

I think Moto Moto likes @jackykarwathova! He was just minding his own business when the boat passed by: this is something animals along popular safari routes will often get used to, but occasionally, something will set them off. That's exactly what happened here.

The Hippo stood up, like, "Don't get any closer!" Despite the fact that it looks like a Hippo would be really fun to pet, you definitely shouldn't. Even if he looks like Moto Moto... Which is on-brand, honestly. If you've seen the movie, you know that Moto Moto wasn't very nice.

Related: Shy Manatee Showing Everyone Her Favorite Rock Has Aquarium-Goers in Tears

This safari didn't just include a slightly scary encounter with a Hippopotamus, though. Jacky also got to see some elephants, and they look even cooler than that Moto Moto lookalike!

@jackykarwathova

This is NOT how I thought this budget safari would go… I found the cheapest safari of my entire trip in Chobe, Botswana… and somehow it ended up being the best one. Almost no crowds, just us, and some of the most unreal wildlife I've ever seen! And the craziest part? It's right next to Victoria Falls, and hardly anyone goes (totally doable as a day trip btw!) I'm traveling across Africa using public transportation as a solo female traveler and this is part 23… but we're just getting started! Follow along if you're coming with me. #visitbotswana#africatravel#solofemaletravel#budgetsafari#chobenationalpark

original sound - Jacky Karwáthová

I'm a little too scared to go on a safari myself, but I'll never get enough of watching videos of them. Maybe one day, I'll work up the courage!

Hippos Are Super Dangerous

This is a fun and cool video, but it's important to know that you need to be on your best behavior if there are Hippos around. They might be huge, but they can move very quickly, especially underwater. You can even see the Hippo in the video going under and appearing again, much closer to the boat.

If you spot a Hippo in the wild and it's coming toward you, first of all, hopefully you're on a safari with an experienced guide. If not, however, you should:

• Start running.
• Seek higher ground.
• Climb a tree.
• Call for help.

Hippos are fast, but they can't climb skinny structures, like trees. Getting up high is the only real way to keep yourself safe in this situation. You should also always make sure to try not to get too close!

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This story was originally published May 11, 2026 at 7:00 AM.