Monkeys, Chimps and Apes in Kenya
Are You Not Entertained? The Primates
We are just an advanced breed of monkeys, chimps and apes on a minor planet of a very average star. But we can understand the Universe. That makes us some thing very special. For many decades now, researchers seeking to understand how human beings behave the way they do, have looked to this kin of primates to shed some light. The interest in primates is in their psychology or sociology, and in many interests historical. This is how humans evolved and now know how to sway the planet. And tears. And laughter. And families. And kindness and murder.
Whether you’re navigating through dense forests or watching monkeys scamper across open clearings, a walking safari with these agile creatures provides a fun, educational, and interactive experience, giving you a new perspective on the wilds of Africa. Walking with monkeys allows for an immersive experience. These curious and intelligent creatures often move through the trees or on the ground nearby, making you feel like a part of their world. Observing their natural behavior—whether they’re grooming, playing, or foraging—gives you insight into their lives.
In Kenya, monkeys, chimps and apes, collectively under the family of primates, play an essential role in the ecosystem by dispersing seeds, maintaining forest health, and, of course, serving as an attraction for eco-tourism, which helps fund conservation efforts. Among the most common of these, the malignant baboons, which appear unfaced by human contact along some of the busy trunk roads, are highly adaptable and can be found in savannahs, forests, and even semi-desert regions across Kenya, including national parks like Amboseli and Maasai Mara.
A Pictographic Gallery of Monkeys, Chimps and Apes
Patas Monkey, (Kima)
Is a long-limbed monkey with a brown-reddish coat and a white underbelly. It wanders in troops like the baboons and because its coat looks like a smart military uniform it is dubbed the Soldier. The smart red coat and solider-like white mustache of the Patas has led to them also being known as “Military Monkeys”. Continual deforestation has devastated the habitats for many primates not just in Africa but the world over.
Vervet, (Tumbiri)
This the commonest monkey in Kenya, usually seen in the gallery forests along the river banks. The body colour is olive-brown, with a black face, part of its underside is often bright blue. Ears, hands, feet and the tip of the tail are also black. Humans pose the biggest threat to the vervet’s survival. It has a refined array of vocal cues.
The Blue or Syke’s Monkey, (Kima)
Is often seen in the tall trees where its thick, dark grey fur gives the effect of blue hue at a distance. Survival threats to blue monkeys include wanton habitat destruction, such as the clearing of rain forests. Blue monkeys are also killed for eating cultivated crops or destroying exotic trees.
Black and White Colobus or the Gueraza Monkey
Known as Mbega in Swahili, all Colobus monkey feeds on leaves which are digested in ‘stomach-pouches’, and it lacks the cheek storage pouches present in other monkeys. Unlike other monkeys, they don’t have thumbs. The two kinds of black and white colobus monkeys found within Kenya are those that inhabit coastal forests and those in inland high-country areas. Red colobus monkeys are also found in East Africa, but are endangered and quite rare to see.
De Brazza’s Monkey
Is comparative in size to Syke’s Monkey but is more spectacular in its coloring of grey-green with patent black, white and chestnut markings. It is mostly found on the slopes of Mount Elgon. The troops have a single adult male at least three females and juveniles, although some adult males tend to be solitary. They communicate with booming sounds and variety of facial expressions and signals.
Mangabey Monkey, Nyani
Occur in forests at the extremes of lower River Tana in the south of Kenya chiefly at Tana Primate National Reserve 202 kms from Garissa. Tana magabeys are one of the world’s most endangered primates and almost endemic to this forest fragment. Mangabeys, any of 10 species, are fairly large monkeys. They have odd cheek pouches with deep depressions under the cheekbones. They are highly social, vocal, and nimble.
White Nosed Monkey
Is a commonly sighted monkey which lives in the tropical forests westwards from Kakamega town. It has a conspicuous white nose and a long red-brown tail. Male sound resonating alarm calls to warn the group of predators and enemies. Their dark coloring also doubles as camouflage within the dark tree canopy, allowing them to hide from predators: leopards, hyenas, crowned eagles and man.
Chimpanzee, Sokwe Mtu
Is the most quick-witted of the man-like apes. An affectionate animal when young, it later on develops to a highly intelligent animal. Much of a chimpanzee’s life is spent on the ground but it is an admirable acrobat as well. The Chimp is one of our closest living kin. Ol Pejeta in Laikipia run a nice chimpanzee sanctuary.
Baboon, (Nyani Mkubwa)
Commonly seen on the roadside, turning over stones in a constant search for tasty morsels such as scorpions. The troops consist of many females and young males under the leadership of a big old male. The baboon is a most-liked prey of leopards. It is one of the largest monkeys in the world. Its coat has a greenish cast to which the name ‘Olive’ refers. Baboons are omnivores which can modify their aliment to what is available.
Gorilla, (Sokwe)
Is the world’s largest ape that’s represented in East Africa by a few families which inhabit south-west part of Uganda and Virunga Mountains in northern Rwanda. Though extremely powerful and well-built animals, Gorillas are peaceful and retiring by nature. Mountain gorillas are the largest living primates. Listed critically endangered in 1996, only about 1,000 members exist in the wild.
Related Pictographic Galleries
Kenya certainly has enormous touring resources. There are no less than sixty national narks, reserves and game sanctuaries, covering approximately 11% of the land surface. Each of these diverse and stunning national parks and reserves offers unique wildlife experiences and unique, breathtaking landscapes.
Index of National Parks & Reserves in Kenya
Baringo County - Lake Baringo National Reserve, Lake Bogoria National Reserve, Kerio Valley National Reserve, Lake Kamnarok National Reserve, Bomet County - The South Western Mau National Reserve, Busia County - Malaba Sanctuary, Elgeyo Marakwet County - Rimoi National Reserve, Embu County - Mount Kenya National Park; Irangi Forest Station, Mwea National Reserve, Garissa County - Bour-Algi Giraffe Sanctuary, Rahole National Reserve, Arawale National Reserve, Boni National Reserve, Homa Bay County - Ruma National Park, Isiolo County - The Bisanadi National Reserve, Buffalo Springs National Reserve, Shaba National Reserve, Kajiado County - Amboseli National Park, Kakamega County - Kakamega National Reserve, Kilifi County - Arabuko-Sokoke Forest Reserve, Watamu Marine National Park, Malindi Marine Reserve, Kisumu County - Kisumu Impala Sanctuary, Ndere Island National Park, Kitui County - Mwingi National Reserve, South Kitui National Reserve, Kwale County - Shimba Hills National Reserve, Diani-Chale Marine National Reserve, Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park & Reserve, Lamu County - Dodori National Reserve, Kiunga Marine National Reserve, Machakos County - Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park, Makueni County - Chyulu Hills National Park, Ngai Ndethya National Reserve, Mandera County - Malka Mari National Park, Marsabit County - Losai National Reserve, South Island National Park, Marsabit National Park & Reserve, Sibiloi National Park, Meru County - Meru National Park, Mombasa County - Mombasa Marine National Reserve & Park, Nairobi County - The Nairobi National Park, Nakuru County - Mount Longonot National Park, Crescent Island Sanctuary, Hell's Gate National Park, Lake Nakuru National Park, Nandi County - Bonjoge National Reserve, Narok County - Masai Mara National Reserve, Nyeri County - The Aberdare National Park, Samburu County - Samburu National Reserve, Maralal National Reserve, Siaya County - Lake Kanyaboli Reserve, Tana River County - Kora National Park, The Tana Primate National Reserve, Taita Taveta County - Tsavo East National Park, Tsavo West National Park, Tharaka Nithi County - Mutejwa National Reserve, Trans Nzoia County - Mount Elgon National Park, Saiwa Swamp National Park, Turkana County - Central Island Reserve, South Turkana Reserve, West Pokot County - Nasolot National Reserve
