Yes our guides were always very careful around hippos. There was only one exception during our trip and the guide could not believe it.

We saw a small (baby) hippo on the ground, by the road path. It was not moving, mother was not to be seen, etc. Guide from binoculars, etc figure it was injured or dead. So we drove up to it. Litterally inches away.

The baby was "snoring". Sound asleep!!! Finally woke up and tundled off into the water very causually -- then we saw the mother -- was just watching is all. Never even got excited or anything. Now that was amazing.