iSimangaliso Wetland Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in South Africa. It comprises an incredible 280 km of protected coastline and is home to 1200 crocs and 800 Hippopotami. More on those incredible creatures in an upcoming post.
I was most excited to learn that it was also home to the endangered Samango Monkeys. The only endangered monkeys I observed on my Wild South African and Swaziland Adventures. They are found across Africa from South Africa to Ethiopia but only in a few locations in South Africa. The population on Cape Vidal in iSimangaliso Wetland Park is highly endangered due to habitat loss. I would also add them to my South African Wildlife: Beyond the Big 5 list.
I hopped out of our safari truck and asked our guide from Heritage Tours and Safaris where the best place was to spot Samango Monkeys. It turns out it was right above where we parked. I turned my head up to find a monkey uncharacteristically quietly observing me. This was strange since usually you hear the distinctive tweets of the Samango monkeys long before you see them. Our guide surmised that she was being sneaky. The Samango monkeys at Cade Vidal are notorious for stealing lunches carelessly left out in the open. Fruit is a favorite, especially by the males who have more of a sweet tooth than the females do. Hmmm…I wonder if that includes chocolate too?
Making new friends?
