Baboon - Botswana Wildlife Guide

Botswana Distribution:

Common in the wilderness areas except for the arid central regions of Botswana.

Best places to see them:

Chobe Riverfront and Linyanti.

General notes:

Watching Baboons has to be one of the most enjoyable parts of an African safari. It is uncertain whether Baboon behaviour is interesting for the fact that they are so close to us on the family tree or whether they are just entertaining to watch is a source of much debate.

There is a great deal of similarity between us and Baboons when it comes to behaviour. They are known to slow down at the end of the day and take in the evening. Personal observations on the Chobe River show Baboons sitting down as the sun sets and ‘contemplating’.

Baboons discipline their young by pulling the hair or pinching the wayward youth. Screams of pain are the norm in a Baboon troop when youngsters are disciplined. In a troop where every member knows their position discipline is important and can mean the difference between life and death.

Feeding

Baboons feed mostly on vegetative sources but also regularly take insects, arachnids, birds and small mammals. They are opportunistic feeders and will grow accustomed to human settlements such as lodges and campsites.

Many campsites throughout Botswana, and the rest of Africa, form part a Baboon troops feeding grounds and the animals often become pests and are difficult to control once they grow accustomed to human offerings.

Okavango troop

A troop of Baboons that I observed in the Okavango Delta over a period of two years showed up some interesting behaviour. When the delta was flooded the troop was forced to cross a fairly deep channel to get from their roosting ground to the feeding grounds.

Watching individuals cross the water was intriguing. Some would walk across on their hind legs, others would rush through the channel screaming whilst others walk calmly across on all fours, only standing up when the water became very deep.

Baboons and impalas

Baboons and Impalas are very often found moving together on the plains. The relationship works well as they can warn each other of danger but at a certain time of the year this relationship takes a bizarre turn when adult male Baboons will kill and eat very young impala fawns.