The park is divided into two sections — Outamba and Kilimi — separated by a river. Together they protect more than 1,000 square kilometres of wild land. The Little Scarcies River winds through the park, and pygmy hippos often wade through its shallow sections at dusk, leaving big footprints in the muddy banks.
Pygmy hippopotamuses are much smaller than the common hippos you might see in a zoo — they are roughly the size of a large dog and far more secretive. Outamba-Kilimi is one of the very few places in the world where you can find them in the wild. Scientists consider spotting one a real privilege.
The park is also rich in bird life. Birders — people who travel to spot rare birds — come from across the world hoping to see species found almost nowhere else. The mix of rivers, forest edges and open clearings creates perfect habitat for an extraordinary range of birds, from tiny sunbirds that hover over flowers to enormous hornbills with curved yellow beaks.