You can find two species of baboons in Tanzania—olive and yellow. They live in large social troops, which are mainly matriarchal. Males move from one troop to another and fight for their right to stay and improve their social rank.
The larger and darker olive baboons can be found in northern Tanzania, while smaller yellow baboons live in the southern and coastal parts of Tanzania. They usually choose places closer to water sources and with safe sleeping places mainly found on the high trees or cliffs. They also carefully choose what to eat. Baboons mostly feed on grass, berries, seeds, pods, blossoms, leaves, roots, and some plants. But they can also eat insects and meat, like birds, small animals, fish, and shellfish. Their main predators are humans, leopards, and cheetahs. They usually run away and hide, but sometimes males can form a line and show their large canines and aggressively howl. This can force some predators to think twice and back off.
Be careful with them though, as they can become very aggressive. Some of the best places to see baboons in the natural surrounding in Tanzania are the Gombe and Manyara national parks. As Gombe is more dedicated to chimpanzees, Lake Manyara National Park is a better choice. This is a 329 sq km area with a lake, forest, woodland, grasslands, and swamps. It is famous for the world's largest concentration of baboons. The best season to come is the dry season, as during heavy rains primates tend to hide and don't spend much time out and about.
Practical info
When is the best time to go baboon sighting in Tanzania?
To improve your chances of sighting baboons in Tanzania, it's better to visit during the dry seasons because baboons prefer to hide during the wet season. The optimal time to visit is between June and October or between January and February when the chances of observing this animal species are high. Show more
Which areas in Tanzania offer the best chance of seeing baboons in their natural habitat?
Tanzania's Gombe and Manyara National Parks are the best places to observe baboons thriving in their natural environment. Among the two, Lake Manyara National Park is more renowned for having the most significant concentration of baboons worldwide. This astonishing wildlife location is home to an assortment of vegetation and provides natural space for primates to reside. Show more
What type of baboons are found in Tanzania and where do they reside?
The southern and coastal regions of Tanzania are home to smaller yellow baboons, while northern Tanzania is known to have larger and darker olive baboons. Both species prefer to live in large social troops in proximity to water sources and tall trees. They choose locations with ample water supply and elevated areas for safety and rest. Show more
What are the natural predators of baboons?
Just like other animal species, baboons have natural predators, including humans, leopards, and cheetahs. When baboons encounter danger, they generally flee and hide, but male baboons can form a line in front and intimidate potential predators using their deep howls and large canines, mainly to safeguard their young ones. Show more
What is the habitat and diet of baboons?
Baboons prefer areas close to water sources as these sources provide a critical water supply for survival. Preferred sleeping locations are tall trees, cliffs, or areas that ensure safety and comfort. Baboons feed on a variety of food, including meat, insects, roots, tubers, and fruits. They're omnivores, and their diet varies depending on the availability of food during that season. Show more
