Baby elephants from different family groups surprise tourists as they greet each other

These stunning photos show a group of baby elephants amusing safari-goers with a huge pile-on next to a waterhole.

Family elephant herds meet at Shindzela Tented Camp in Greater Kruger, South Africa, as children gather to play.

Tourists are amazed to witness the elderly elephants lying on the ground and letting the young climb on their backs and playfully push them with their feet.

Photographer Bobby-Jo Vial, 35, was in position just 25 yards from the ‘family reunion’ and watched the elephants pile up in chaos, as the animals made ‘loud noises’ ‘ with their trunks.

She said: ‘Here are a number of different family units that meeting together. I think that’s why there was so much interaction happening.

‘Elephants have their immediate family herd and then they often meet with extended family herds like our own relatives.

‘This could be a family reunion. All cousins ​​are playing. The baby elephants are the ones playing and the adult elephants are drinking from the waterhole while keeping an eye on the youngsters. ‘