Endemic Primates of Southern Tanzania by Rosalind Salter 12/11/2009
The Southern Highlands of Tanzania is now regarded as one of the most important areas in Africa for primate diversity and conservation. Udzungwa National Park boasts 13 species including two endemic monkeys, the Udzungwa Red Colobus and Sanje Mangabey, as well as the near-endemic Highland Mangabey ‘Kipunji’. This is a new genus and species, closely related to baboons, only discovered by researchers in 2004. Kipunji are also found on Mt Rungwe (where it was first discovered) and within the Livingstone forests of Kitulo National Park. It is here that first detailed research of this species is currently being undertaken by the Wildlife Conservation Society. It is listed as Critically Endangered by IUCN.
One of Greentours’ new trips for 2010 visits these wonderful lesser-known parts of Tanzania. You will have the opportunity to follow a newly habituated free-ranging group of Sanje Mangabey in Udzungwa NP and will perhaps be lucky enough to get a glimpse of the elusive Kipunji whilst exploring the forests on the volcanic slopes of Mt Rungwe. In one or more of the locations described, other primates such the Angolan Colobus, Udzungwa Red Colobus, Syke’s Monkey and Baboon are commonly seen during the day. At night you may hear the characteristic cries, or see the red eyes, of several species of Bush-baby including the Mountain Galago and the newly identified Udzungwa Galago.
The primates of the Southern Highlands are an obvious highlight of this tour but the area boosts many hidden gems. The Kitulo plateau, for example, is described by locals as ‘Bustani ya Mungu’ (‘Garden of God’) and by botanists as the ‘Serengeti of flowers’. Here, sweeping grasslands host a spectacular array of Orchids, Irises, Asters and much more. Rare birds such as the Blue Swallow and Denham’s Bustard nest on the plateau whilst the range-restricted Buff-shouldered Widow-birds are a spectacle not to be missed, as they display amongst the endemic Red-Hot Pokers (Kniphophia palludosa) of Kitulo’s marshlands.
