Log inStart free

Hippos ahead — South African Road Sign W359

Warns that hippos may be on or crossing the road ahead, often near water in a game or rural area. Slow down and stay well back, especially at night or near water, and never get between a hippo and the water as they are large, fast and dangerous.

Hippos ahead road sign

W359

At a glance

Sign code
W359
Type
Warning
Official meaning
Warning sign indicating a section of road where hippopotamuses may be encountered.

What the Hippos ahead sign means

Warns that hippos may be on or crossing the road ahead, often near water in a game or rural area.

What you must do

Slow down and stay well back, especially at night or near water, and never get between a hippo and the water as they are large, fast and dangerous.

Know the mistake this sign turns on

Full access adds the confusion Hippos ahead is most often mistaken for and the hint for the test, on this sign and every other one — plus practice questions and timed mock papers. The practice sample and the readiness test are free.

See the free practice test

Sources

  • Road Traffic Signs chart, National Department of TransportThe official chart. Sign W359 was checked against it, artwork and meaning, before being published here.
  • National Road Traffic Regulations, 2000 — Schedule 1Where the prescribed meaning of each road traffic sign is set out.

Last updated 2026-08-23.

Keep reading