Retina Hippo Pools

Welcome to Retina Pools, fed by underground springs, it’s a hidden treasure in the central Serengeti that brings you face to face with some of Africa’s most charismatic animals, the kiboko, Swahili for hippos. These giants can’t swim, but rather walk, gliding gracefully along river beds. These permanent water bodies serve as gathering points for wildlife, a place where the wild slows down, and photographers and safari goers watch life unfold naturally.

At a Glance

Must-See Tourist Attractions

• Massive hippo pods basking and battling in the pools

• Close-up views of crocodiles, birds, and other wildlife

• Gorgeous landscapes with reflections at sunrise and sunset

• A serene alternative to busier parts of the park

• Consistent game viewing, especially in the dry season

• Easy to reach from central Serengeti safari camps

Size

±  1 square miles (± 3km²) 

Landscape

Small localized area of interconnected pools fed by underground springs, open grassland dotted with fig trees, permanent pools, acacia thickets, and volcanic soil zones

Main Species

Hippopotamus, Nile crocodile, Elephant, Zebra, Giraffe, Warthog, Baboon, Wildebeest, Monitor Lizard, Waterbuck, African Fish Eagle, Saddle-billed Stork

The Wonder of the Wild & Surrounds

The Retina pools may not be as famous as other parts of the Serengeti, like the Mara River, endless plains, or Seronera Valley, but you can find a different kind of magic at the banks of the pools. 

As the sun breaks the cover of night, the pool's surface mirrors the soft blush of dawn, the water breaks by the quiet yawns of hippos or the flutter of birds' wings across the surface.

It’s a peaceful, meditative corner of the Serengeti where pods of hippos grunt, snort, and splash in the shallow pools, crocodiles sunbathe on the muddy banks, and elephants stop to rest and sip its cool waters.

It's a patchwork of acacia-dotted plains and fig trees, surrounded by rich soils that nurture the green belt of vegetation even during the dry season when everything else is dusty and dry.

Here, tourists can often exit their vehicles and get closer to the hippo pools if our tour guides deem it safe. There is something truly soul-stirring about stepping out of the vehicle and standing just a breath away from pods of hippos, sometimes amounting to 200 individuals. Their presence is so real and raw, it leaves an imprint on your spirit that time can't erase

Among the animals found here, none commands more presence than the water-loving giants, the hippos. Kiboko are deeply rooted in local culture as a powerful symbol of prosperity and fertility. 

Their immense size, strength, and connection to the water make them a respected creature. Thriving large pods of hippos are considered a sign that the land is healthy and abundant.

Take a moment to slow down and appreciate nature in all its unscripted beauty as giraffes kneel gracefully to drink, baboon troops sun themselves along the water’s edge, and families of warthogs shuffle past on their never-ending mission to graze.

The Diverse Geography

The Retina pools are a microcosm of the ecology in the Serengeti National Park. It's a blend of water, wildlife, and vegetation vividly contrasting the open plains, drawing both wildlife and tourists to its hidden oasis.

The pools are central to the experience in this region; however, the surrounding area completes the beauty of the scene.

The area around the pools is generally flat with gentle undulating hills with shallow depressions allowing the water to gather and stagnate, forming slow-moving or still puddles fed by the branches of the Seronera river and underground springs.

It’s a mix of open savanna and pockets of green riverine vegetation, dotted with acacia trees and scattered granite outcrops in the distance.

Hardy grass dominates the plains while reeds and papyrus patches emerge on the banks. Offering shade and nesting spots are umbrella thorn and whistling thorn acacia trees. Along the banks, African Cordia (bamba in Swahili) and sycamore fig trees flourish in the rich moist soils.

It's a place where life slows down, and the beauty of the raw, untamed nature of the wild gets a reprieve before moving on for the fight for survival.

The Majestic Wildlife

Our expert safari tour guides make sure you enjoy more than just a quick stop at the banks of the Retina Pools. We show you the other secrets hidden in the mix of short grasses and seasonal mudbanks.

It's a playground for smaller creatures like mongoose and monitor lizards, but be very, very quiet. Acacia and fig trees are prime spots for birdwatching opportunities, and the permanent nature of the pools means wildlife is almost always guaranteed.

During the dry seasons, wildlife congregate at the pools for the life-giving waters. Elephants, giraffes, warthogs, baboons, and many more quench their thirst as pods of hippos lie cooling off in the muddy pools.

Crocodiles sunbathe on the banks waiting with ancient patience for their next meal, while waterbucks and zebras wander in for a drink. Overhead, martial eagles soar, while saddle-billed storks hunt the shallows for frogs and fish.

Among all the incredible wildlife here, the true stars of the show are the hippos, and this is their kingdom. We invite you to step closer and experience an intimate performance that few are ever privileged to witness.

From the quiet shallows comes a chorus of deep grunts and sudden snorts, the sound carrying across the warm air. Every so often, a pair of eyes and wide nostrils break the surface, giving away the presence of a pod, sometimes 30 strong, huddled close together, dozing peacefully through the heat of the day.

It's easy to think of them as slow and sedentary, but the truth is they have the ability to be airborne while running, according to the Royal Veterinary College. Easily sprinting faster than humans, on land, they can reach speeds of 19 miles/h (30km/h).

They are fiercely territorial and astonishingly agile. Beneath their calm, waterlogged appearance lies a fiercely territorial streak. Hippos may spend most of the day lounging shoulder to shoulder, but they guard their space with surprising aggression. 

A dominant bull keeps watch over his pod, ready to open his massive jaws in a warning display or charge without hesitation if he feels his territory is being challenged. In the water, they rule with an authority few dare to question.

These monarchs are agile in the water but surprisingly bad swimmers. Instead, they gracefully walk or push themselves along the bottom, using their buoyant bodies to bob up for air every few minutes. 

They’ve even mastered the art of sleeping underwater without waking; an automatic reflex allows them to rise, breathe, and sink back down without breaking their slumber. This life in the water keeps them cool under the intense African sun, and as we watch them yawn wide enough to reveal teeth the size of tusks, it’s clear they’re completely at home here.

Another of nature’s marvels is its built-in sun protection. Hippos secrete a reddish, oily substance often called blood sweat, though it’s neither blood nor sweat, that works like a natural sunscreen, shielding their sensitive skin from sunburn and keeping it free from harmful bacteria.

Join our Tanzania Safari team and explore the wonders of the Retina Pools as you embark on one of our tours and packages.

Herbivores 

Hippopotamus

Elephant

Giraffe

Buffalo

Topi

Wildebeest

Zebra

Impala

Waterbuck

Warthogs

Baboons 

Predators

Lions

Leopard

Crocodiles

Hyena

Serval

Birds

African fish eagle 

Great white pelican 

Yellow-billed stork 

African spoonbill 

Sacred ibis 

Goliath heron 

Pied kingfisher 

Malachite kingfisher 

Black crake 

Best Time To Visit 

The Retina Pools in the Central Serengeti are one of the best places to watch hippos thriving in their natural habitat. While the dry season offers easier access and more frequent sightings of these river giants in action, every season reveals its own magic, unveiling different moods and behaviors of these majestic creatures.

Getting There

Getting to Retina Pools is a breeze, especially if you're already based in or near the central Serengeti, taking you through the heart of one of Africa’s most celebrated landscapes.

By Road:

The pools are located in the Seronera Valley region of Central Serengeti, easily reached on game drives from nearby lodges and camps. From Seronera’s main safari hub, it’s roughly a 30 to 45 minute drive, with plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife en route. 

The roads are mostly dirt tracks, so conditions can vary with the seasons. Dry season routes are faster, while the wet season can mean slower, bumpier travel but with greener, more scenic surroundings.

By Air:

Fly into Seronera Airstrip, the closest gateway to the Retina Pools, and enjoy a bird's-eye view of the Serengeti. From there, it’s an easy transfer to nearby camps or direct access to Retina Pools as part of your daily game drives.

The airstrip is serviced by regional carriers from major Tanzanian hubs like Arusha, Kilimanjaro, and Dar es Salaam, offering a seamless transition from sky to safari. Because it's centrally located, Retina Pools can also be added to longer safari circuits that include Seronera, Moru Kopjes, or even the Western Corridor.

GPS Coordinates: 2°17'34.98" S, 34°47'57.59" E

Lodging Near North Serengeti 

Attractions Near North Serengeti

• Serengeti National Park

• Central Serengeti

• Seronera Valley

• Seronera River

• Moru Kopjes

• Maasai Kopjes

• Makoma Hill

• Turners Spring

• Simba Kopjes

• Long Grass Plains