Mzima Springs

Mzima Springs stands as one of Tsavo’s captivating wildlife attractions, renowned for its resident populations of hippos and Nile crocodiles.

These hippos play a crucial role in sustaining an entire food chain. During the night, they graze on the surrounding savannah, returning to the pools of Mzima during the day, enriching the water with their dung.

Fruiting trees, including date and raffia palms, water berries, and figs, thrive along the water’s edge, utilizing their submerged roots to absorb nutrients. These fruits become a vital food source for vervet monkeys and a diverse array of birds. Below the water’s surface, invertebrates nourished by hippopotamus dung become a source of disturbance, attracting fish and cormorants.

The fame of Mzima Springs was solidified by wildlife filmmakers Alan and Joan Root’s 1969 documentary “Mzima: Portrait of a Spring,” showcasing mesmerizing underwater footage of the hippos and crocodiles.

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