A heartwarming scene recently unfolded in Botswana’s  Mashatu Game Reserve, captivating visitors and nature enthusiasts alike.

Aubrey Tseleng, a local photographer and nature guide, had the unique opportunity to capture a group of African elephants as they delighted in a playful mud bath.

The video showcases a herd of majestic African elephants wading into the muddy waters, but the real stars are the baby elephants, some as young as four months old, who eagerly join in the fun. These young elephants fully immerse themselves, rolling and splashing with boundless energy.

The baby elephants’ antics were a joyful spectacle. They bounced around in the water, enthusiastically splashing each other, their cheerful trumpeting filling the air.

One particularly energetic calf made a splash that resonated across the water, only to be joined by another young elephant, adding to the playful scene.

Their trunks became instruments of play, spraying water and creating a scene of pure joy and camaraderie. It was a heartening display of the natural exuberance and happiness these magnificent creatures share.

Mike Dexter, a wildlife photographer who works for a safari company and lives at the  Mashatu Reserve, was fortunate to witness and capture this enchanting moment.

Accompanied by two South African visitors, he managed to get incredibly close—just five meters away from the elephants.

“I had been waiting patiently for over two hours before they appeared,” Mike recalled. He vividly described the herd’s playful nature, recounting how they trumpeted joyfully and flicked their trunks, sending mud flying through the air, much to the amusement of his companions.

“I couldn’t help but laugh,” Mike said with a smile. “The others with me were laughing too—it’s not every day a wild elephant sprays you with mud.”

This charming scene of elephants enjoying a mud bath is a beautiful reminder of the joy and companionship of the animal kingdom, where even the most majestic creatures take pleasure in life’s simplest moments.