Sea of the Bullet Hippos

SEA OF HIPPO BULLET (Mare aux hippopotames). Bala is a small village situated 60 km northeast of Bobo Dioulasso on the road to Dedougou at the same altitude of Satiri. Near Bala, in a hidden place in the forest, the current of the river Mouhoun becomes so slow that the water flows in both directions, and creates a haven for hippos. According to the guides, the hippos are submerged during the hottest hours of the day and sometimes only show the tips of their ears and snout! It's easier to see them at dawn, when it's cooler and in the dry season, when there is little water. Therefore the rainy season further lessens the chances of seeing them.