Wildlife Safaris and Baboon watching in Rwanda

Rwanda has Olive baboons which are also referred to as the Anubis baboon that belong to the world’s old monkey family called the Cercopithecidae. They are called the olive monkeys because of their coat color.

Nyungwe Forest National Park is a place to find the Olive baboons while on your primate watch safari in Rwanda. These Olive baboons are easily spotted while in your safari vehicle on the road to Nyungwe forest. During the trek in the jungle, you will be amazed by seeing different monkeys, different tree species, and lots of birds, among so many others.

Another place in Rwanda to see the Olive baboons is Akagera National Park so you can combine your Gorilla trip with baboon watching in Rwanda.

wildlife safaris in Rwanda

About the Olive Baboons

Olive baboons normally stay in a group of about 15 -50 members but sometimes they can increase up to 140 members and majority of them are usually females with only a few males along with the young ones. In every group, there is ranking among the members and it all depends on the dominance.

Female dominance is hereditary which means the mothers and daughters are almost on the same rank although, it is still the grown-up females that are the core of the family!

The related females are often friendly to each other, stay close to each other and groom each other. Groups split when they become big in size and start competing for resources. Normally, the males are more dominant in the group; they are often competitive amongst each other all in an effort to get access to the females!

The male baboons normally leave their troops when they are 4 years old while the females stay with the troop.

Rwanda olive baboons are omnivorous so they feed on leaves, grass, fruits, seeds, tubers, flowers, insects, birds, scorpions, spiders, and lots of other vegetation. During the times of droughts when the green is scarce, they feed on corns and rhizomes.

Female baboon’s gestation period lasts about 180 days after which it will give birth to only 1 infant.

During the time of conception, the male will protect its female from all other males mating with her. The new ones are born with black natal coats, the mothers are the main caregivers and it’s true that one female can take care of another’s little one. They continue to get protection from their parents, especially against the predators like chimpanzees, lions, African wild dogs, crocodiles, hyenas and other stronger animals.

Olive baboons frequently raid crops and people’s plantations. They also take things from vehicles despite passengers being inside. They do not fear a tourist presence!

Tourists staying at Akagera Game Lodge, keep your door locked since they are known for raiding the rooms for food and drinks.

Despite the above, feel free to contact us for your primate watch safari in Rwanda.