Last Updated on: 16th October 2025, 06:28 pm
When away from the city for a break, I sometimes go for short walks on my own to exercise and enjoy nature. In recent times, I have often encountered baboons. A few months ago, on my outward-bound walk, I came across a troop of baboons. I called out my usual, “Hey baboons, I’m coming,” in the deepest voice I could muster and swished my stick on the ground and they obligingly moved away down the hillside.
On the way back, I was not expecting to see them again and wasn’t on the lookout for them. I got quite a fright when I noticed a large baboon sitting in the long grass about 3 metres (10 feet) away from me. In a loud voice I asked him and the troop to move on and once again they did. As I walked a little further, there was a sudden rustling in the trees above me and frenzied screeching. For a second, I imagined that baboons would be jumping down onto me from above. Needless to say, this did not happen, but this incident prompted me to find out more about what to do when encountering baboons.
What species of baboons is found in southern Africa?
The species of baboons that is found in southern Africa is the chacma baboon. These baboons occur widely, and they are not classified as a threatened animal species. They are the largest primates (other than man) in southern Africa.
What should you do when encountering baboons in the wild?
I chatted to Mark Robertson, Conservation Manager at Monks Cowl Reserve in the Drakensberg for his inputs on the subject.
Mark says that wild baboons that are not habituated to humans, have a natural fear of people, and will move away as we approach. Baboons that are used to people, however, could behave very differently.
As you approach baboons, there is no need to announce your presence as they will have seen you. Mark recommends that you do not walk through a troop of baboons; rather wait and use the time to observe these interesting creatures. They will usually move off after a while.
If you really cannot wait, then assume an attitude of confidence and continue walking. Mark says that it is good practise to carry a stick as baboons are smart enough to know that it is a means of defence. You should not have any food visible, though you could even have a problem if you are carrying something that could be mistaken for food.
In some areas, baboons have learnt that bags and backpacks contain food. If a baboon snatches a bag from you, it is recommended to let the baboon have the bag and then retrieve it later when the baboon has abandoned it.
What should you do if confronted by a baboon?
On Pezula Hotel’s blog[1], the Golf Estate Manager provides these pointers:
- If confronted by a baboon, try and stand your ground, but don’t challenge it
- If you run away, you will most likely be chased
- Staring directly at a baboon could be perceived as threatening behaviour
- Calmly walk away if the baboon hasn’t done so already.
Are baboons dangerous?
Mark confirms that baboons are potentially dangerous. They are incredibly strong and have exceptionally large canine teeth. He has personally seen two baboons rip a grey duiker apart. Baboons will fight a leopard if one of their own is attacked.
According to the book Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa by Chris and Tilde Stuart:
- male baboons weigh 25-45 (average 32) kg
- male baboons weigh 55-99 (average 71) lbs
- female baboons weigh 12-20 (average 16) kg
- female baboons weigh 26-44 (average 35) lbs
Mark notes that he has never heard of an aggressive encounter with humans in the baboons’ natural environment. There are stories of baboons dropping stones or rocks on hikers, but this is most likely owing to their overturning of rocks and stones while foraging.
Why are some baboons considered to be a problem?
Problems can occur when animals become habituated to humans. They become streetwise and realize that most people aren’t a great threat. Mark says that baboons generally have some respect for men, but this respect does not extend to women and children.
In his classic book, Barrier of Spears, Reg Pearse recounts how baboons are not fooled by women dressing up as men (to chase them away), nor men dressing up as women (to get closer to them)!
In their search for food, baboons are known to enter homes through open windows, even when people are inside. Mark says that if a baboon gets into a home a dangerous situation may develop if it feels cornered. In this case, remain calm and back away slowly and do not block its escape route.
Some baboons even go so far as to break into locked homes, as evidenced by the photo above.
What can we do?
We need to break the link:
humans = easy takeaway food
We can therefore do our bit to try and keep baboons wild by:
- Never feeding a baboon
- Never displaying food in the presence of a baboon.
Happy hiking!
References:
- https://pezulahotel.com/2019/02/11/pezulas-wild-wonderful-visitors/ – retrieved Oct 2020
You may also like:
Monks Cowl Reserve in the Drakensberg
Northern Drakensberg Hikes and Area Guide
5 replies on “Encountering baboons in the wild”
Thank you for this information.
It’s been extremely helpful.
I live on a nature reserve in Hoedspruit and there’s a large number of them here and one very large male has become quite troublesome. My first encounter took me by surprise so I ran big mistake, my second encounter I tried to make myself appear bigger and I shouted out loud .. he still kept coming at me !? Thankfully my husband happened to walk out of the next door chalet and that startled him so he ran off..who knows what would have happened ? Anyway he hovers now each day in and around the chalets climbing trees to eat the berries and we see him climbing up onto the thatch “surveying his land “ .. I think there’s a plan in place to deal with him but I remain cautious and vigilant at all times. We lock the doors too but gee they’re clever and very bold !!! The longer I spend in the bush the more respect I have for the wildlife and definitely follow the rules regarding feeding to prevent habituation. Thanks again 🙏👍🤗
Hi Misty, thank you for sharing your very scary encounters! Yes, it is sensible to be vigilant under these circumstances.
Merci beaucoup ça m’a beaucoup aide
It is a pleasure.
Thanks for the info Chantal. Wish I had read it before my hairy encounter this morning.