A Honeymoon Adventure Turns Life-Saving Ordeal in Botswana

In 2025, Sam and Anna McKee embarked on a honeymoon safari in Botswana that would change their lives forever. During their adventure, Sam was attacked by a hippo, which presented unexpected and life-altering challenges for the couple.

Early Beginnings and Shared Passion

Sam recounted how he and Anna met at 15 and began dating at 17. Their relationship of over 14 years was marked by adventure, including an engagement during a snowboarding trip in the Andes in Chile and a wedding in Portugal. For their honeymoon, they sought an unforgettable experience in Botswana.

In the initial days of the safari, the couple experienced sightings of majestic animals such as elephants, lions, giraffes, and more. Then, an opportunity arose to explore the Okavango Delta on a traditional mokoro canoe.

A Confrontation with Nature

Guides warned them about a protective mother hippo with its calves nearby, advising them to steer clear. However, the mokoro drifted closer to the danger zone, isolating Sam, Anna, and their guide. As they navigated through reeds, they soon encountered a hippo charging toward them.

Sam described the intense moment when he heard splashing and turned to see the hippo rushing at the boat. He held onto the canoe as their guide tried to steer them away, but the hippo struck, throwing Anna into the water and grabbing Sam.

Survival Instincts Kick In

Anna recalled the surreal sight of Sam in the hippo’s mouth and her instinctive reaction to fight back. In a bid to save her husband, she charged at the hippo, managing to hit it, causing it to release Sam.

Sam emerged from the water feeling the severity of his injuries, with his intestines visible. Despite the dire circumstances, Anna and Sam focused on escaping the swamp, aware of the lurking dangers around them.

Anna’s resolve and familiarity with the bystander effect prompted her to urgently call for assistance from others, eventually reaching a fellow traveler’s mokoro.

The Long Wait for Help

As they made their way back to shore, Sam was engulfed in pain. He described how he managed to control his breathing to stay calm while waiting for medical evacuation from the bush.

The couple faced a grim night as they awaited rescue, relying on a retired dentist and other bystanders to control Sam’s bleeding using makeshift tourniquets.

Medical Response and Recovery

In the early hours, a helicopter finally arrived, transporting Sam to an airport where he received initial pain relief before flying to a trauma center in Johannesburg.

Sam underwent surgery for his extensive injuries, which included cracked ribs, a fractured vertebra, organ damage, and a colostomy. His fitness and active lifestyle were credited as potential factors in his survival.

An intense recovery followed, with physical therapy and adjustments to a new reality of living with the aftermath of such trauma. Anna remained a steadfast support throughout his healing journey.

Lessons on Life and Gratitude

Sam and Anna continue to reflect on their experience, and both have engaged in counseling to process the traumatic event. Sam’s brush with death crystallized his priorities, leading him to create Simple Soulshine—a charitable initiative inspired by his friend Liberty. Through pottery sales, the initiative funds skateboards for children in need.

Anna attributes their survival to reactionary strength and a focus on Sam’s survival. Their relationship and outlook on life have been profoundly affected by the ordeal. The experience emphasizes the power of human connection and the importance of cherishing relationships.