Updated
The olive baboon is a large, olive-grey monkey with a dog-like muzzle, and adult males can weigh around 25 kg with a heavy mane. It is common across Uganda in savannah, woodland and forest edges, and troops are often seen along roads and around lodges in Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls and Lake Mburo, and near Kibale.
Troop life
Olive baboons live in troops of about 15 to over 100, with several adult males and many females. Females stay in the troop they were born in and form ranked family lines, while males move between troops as adults. Friendships between particular males and females help protect infants. Baboons eat almost anything, including grass, roots, fruit, insects and occasionally small animals.
Baboons and people
Baboons quickly learn that people mean food. At lodges and campsites they steal from tables, vehicles and tents, and large males can be aggressive when they expect to be fed. Never feed them, keep food out of sight and vehicle windows closed near troops. Around farms they raid crops, which causes conflict with local communities.
Where to see it
Baboons are seen on most game drives and along the roads through Queen Elizabeth and Murchison. The gorilla permit costs US$800, or US$600 in April, May and November. See our guides to Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls animals, the vervet monkey and Lake Mburo.
Frequently asked questions
In most savannah parks and along roads near forests.
They can be if fed or cornered; keep your distance and never offer food.
Adult males weigh around 25 kg, females about half that.
Grass, roots, fruit, insects and sometimes small animals.
