An elephant hilariously provided a safari group with a ‘complimentary mud bath’ while they watched it bathe from a jeep nearby.

Onne Vegter was celebrating his 50th birthday with family on safari in Timbavati Game Reserve, South Africa, when they encountered a group of 15 elephants while on a drive.

Adorable footage captured the family of adults and babies alike enjoying a cleansing mud bath less than seven metres away from Onne – who owns Wild Wings Safaris.

Suddenly one of the adults turned its back to the vehicle and in the process of showering itself also launched clumps of mud behind itself covering Onne and his laugh family with mud.

Onne said: “It was hilarious. When the first blobs of mud hit, the guide apologised but the guests all started laughing.

“How many people have been sprayed with mud by wild elephants? The guide made a hasty retreat, but we all saw the funny side of the experience.

“Spraying us with mud was not intentional. The elephant was simply taking a mud bath by spraying its own body. We just happened to be in the firing line once it turned its back to us.

“The group included some tiny babies. They approached from the far side of the mud pool and proceeded to have fun in the mud as only elephants can.

“At first, the elephants were at a safe distance on the other side of the mud pool, a good 30 metres away from the vehicle.

“But once they came toward the vehicle on the near side, the closest elephants were no more than seven metres away from the jeep.

“Close enough to get a complimentary mud spray!”