I did not recall from our earlier visit about ten years ago that Punda Maria Rest camp in the Kruger National Park had a waterhole! Probably, at the time we visited the park was not as dry as it was when we were there now and the animals were not so numerous. This time, buffalo and elephants came to drink at all times and we heard the elephants loud and clear from our tented accommodation.

Of all large mammals that I had seen visiting water sources, elephants are the most fun to watch. So, I took some pictures and videos of their activities. Apart from me, a baboon also enjoyed the elephants´show.

Elephants are unique when arriving at the water as they hurry to get there, almost letting themselves being carried out by their emotions!

So, upon arrival their priority is to drink after having spent the whole day feeding in the hot bush.

After their thirst is quenched, the shenanigans start and they are mainly performed by the youngsters that can be quite funny. In the video below, the small elephant enjoys a dip among the adults that are very careful not to trample it. I like the leg scratching although I did not realize it when I filmed it!

This elephant was a bit of a bully (although I could not see if it was a bull!) and it spent lots of time parked on this spot, practicing how to stand on a stool like circus elephants did years back.

This scene reminds me of two neighbours gossiping over the fence between their houses!

This youngster was determined to drink from the place the adults did but its trunk or legs or both were too short.

And so it was that the action continued at night as there were many elephants that needed to drink!