I was intrigued to learn that vultures bathe after a disgusting meal of guts and carcass. They’ll fly or hop over to the nearest water source and rinse off.
In Tanzania in January this year, we witnessed a surprisingly large range of critters taking water baths or mud baths. Sometimes it was to cool off; on occasion it was to add a layer of mud as sun screen or protection from biting insects.
Here are some bathing beauties for your enjoyment from our recent Tanzania trip and a few lovelies from previous trips to Namibia and South Afria.
We spotted hyenas (not known for their delicate sensibilities) taking both water baths and mud baths.
And we surprised an eagle. This one caught me off guard, a lovely moment.
Some creatures hang out in the water together.
A young lion on the edge of a water hole.
You never know what dangers might be lurking just on the surface.
Elephants love mud and throw it around with glee. Uwe photographed a family in Tarangire National Park at their ablutions.
We even saw a pair of ostriches taking turns in a mud hole!
Finally, there is the hippo, who cannot swim. They hang out in the water to protect their skins from sunburn and leave the water only to forage for food.
NOTES: © 2026 Jadi Campbell. All photos © 2026 Uwe Hartmann. To see Uwe’s photos and more pics from our trips go to viewpics.de.
I am a Best American Essays-nominated writer. My books are Broken In: A Novel in Stories, Tsunami Cowboys, Grounded, The Trail Back Out, and The Taste of Your Name. Recent awards include F
Follow this link to see my books: Amazon.com.
