Common Hippos are endemic to Africa, ranging widely over most of sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal and Gambia in the west to Sudan, Ethiopia, and Somalia in the east, and south to KwaZulu–Natal in NE. South Africa, the Okavango Delta in Botswana, and the Kunene R. in Namibia. They are restricted to appropriate areas, e.g.meadows with rivers, lakes, and swamps; absent from rainforest except for rivers with adjacent grassy areas.