Updated
De Brazza’s monkey is a stocky, grey monkey with a white beard, an orange-brown band on the forehead and a white stripe on the thigh. It lives in swampy and riverside forest across Central Africa and reaches its eastern limits in Uganda and Kenya. In Uganda it is found mainly in Semuliki National Park and on the lower slopes of Mount Elgon, and it is one of the country’s least-seen monkeys.
Habits
De Brazza’s monkeys live in small family groups, usually one adult male with females and young, and spend more time on or near the ground than most forest monkeys. They eat fruit, seeds, leaves and insects. Their main defence is concealment: when threatened they freeze silently in dense vegetation, sometimes for long periods, which is one reason they are so rarely seen.
Status
The species is widespread across Central Africa and is not globally threatened, but in Uganda its range is small and its populations are isolated. Forest clearance and hunting outside protected areas are the main threats. It is a prized sighting for primate enthusiasts rather than a regular safari animal.
Where to see it
Semuliki’s lowland forest, reached from Fort Portal, and the forest edges of Mount Elgon are the best areas. The gorilla permit costs US$800, or US$600 in April, May and November. See our guides to Mount Elgon wildlife, Fort Portal, Kibale’s primates and Uganda’s rare animals.
Frequently asked questions
Mainly in Semuliki National Park and on Mount Elgon.
Not globally, but its Ugandan populations are small and isolated.
By its white beard, orange forehead band and white thigh stripe.
It freezes silently in thick vegetation when it senses danger.
