Africa's Primates on Safari

From noisy troops of baboons on the plains to gorillas and chimpanzees in the misty forests, Africa's primates are among the most engaging and human-like animals to watch. Their complex social lives, expressive faces and constant interaction reward patient observation more than a quick photo. Whether glimpsed roadside or tracked on foot through the forest, primates add a memorable dimension to any safari.

The species

LC

Black-and-White Colobus

Colobus guereza

LC

Blue Monkey

Cercopithecus mitis

LC

Chacma Baboon

Papio ursinus

EN

Chimpanzee

Pan troglodytes

CR

Eastern Gorilla

Gorilla beringei

EN

Mountain Gorilla

Gorilla beringei beringei

LC

Northern Lesser Galago

Galago senegalensis

LC

Olive Baboon

Papio anubis

NT

Patas Monkey

Erythrocebus patas

LC

Samango Monkey

Cercopithecus mitis

LC

Thick-tailed Greater Galago

Otolemur crassicaudatus

LC

Vervet Monkey

Chlorocebus pygerythrus

Where to see them

Look for these species in the national parks and reserves that protect their preferred habitats across Africa, and remember that each has its own favoured landscape and rhythm. The dry season generally makes them easier to find, as wildlife concentrates around water and cover thins out. A knowledgeable local guide who knows recent movements will dramatically improve your sightings.

From treetops to trekking

Africa's primates range from the troops of baboons and vervet monkeys you meet on almost any safari to the great apes — gorillas and chimpanzees — that draw travellers deep into the forests of the continent's heart. Between them sit colourful guenons, acrobatic colobus and the wide-eyed, nocturnal bushbabies.

Watching primates is unusually absorbing precisely because they are so like us. Their social lives, politics, play and problem-solving reward patient observation, and a good guide can decode the constant stream of calls, gestures and glances that hold a troop together.

Watching primates responsibly

Because primates share so much of our biology, they can catch our diseases — which is why gorilla and chimpanzee trekking come with strict rules: keep your distance, wear a mask where required, never eat near them and turn away if you need to cough or sneeze. These rules protect the very animals you have travelled so far to see.

With habituated troops and roadside monkeys, resist the urge to feed them; it turns wild animals into aggressive raiders and harms their health. Keep food out of sight, secure your tent and vehicle, and enjoy their antics on their terms rather than baiting them for a closer look.

• ➜Keep the required distance on gorilla and chimpanzee treks
• ➜Wear a mask where mandated and never trek if you are ill
• ➜Never feed monkeys — it creates aggressive, unhealthy raiders
• ➜Secure food in camp and vehicles against opportunists

References & further reading

1. Sinclair, A. R. E., et al. (Eds.) (2015). Serengeti IV. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
2. Estes, R. D. (2012). The Behavior Guide to African Mammals. Berkeley: University of California Press.
3. Kingdon, J. (2015). The Kingdon Field Guide to African Mammals (2nd ed.). London: Bloomsbury.
4. IUCN (2024). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, Version 2024-1. www.iucnredlist.org.