Baboon troop sighting at the Robberg Coastal Corridor hiking trail, South Africa

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One of the most inspiring and educational adventure hiking trails that you might find on the southern shores of Africa, is the one that hugs the coast in a region called the Garden Route, specifically near the town of Plettenberg Bay. The marine sanctuary and seal colony in this bay is called Robberg Peninsula, which is a fascinating little peninsula jutting out into the ocean. It was while hiking in this particular region recently that I was able to not only have a rare sighting of the local troop of baboons, but I was also able to capture some photos of them which I am keen to share with you today.

Zooming in to capture a glimpse of the alpha male leader on the baboon troop  

This was a really special encounter for me, since it is so rare, and it also really gives one the feeling of making intimate contact with these wild creatures in their natural habitat. I have seen the troop on several occasions over the years of hiking in this area but getting some actual photo footage of them was never possible until today. This is a historic moment for me to add to this travelfeed diary.

Glimpsing more of the baboon troop appearing in the distance, as curious as I am.

The Robberg Peninsula and adjoining coastal corridor, as it’s called, is a protected area prized by nature conservationists in this part of the world. Not only is it a large breeding colony for seals, but it also acts as a whale birthing sight every year during the southern winter months of July to October. Lucky hikers can catch a glimpse of the whales in the bay just offshore. If you are feeling really adventurous then you can also hire a boat cruise out into the bay itself to get even closer to the beautiful sea mammals.

Now besides that epic opportunity, you can also get a glimpse – if you’re in the right place at the right time – of the local baboon troop that lives in this area. Today was such a day for me and I was able to capture a few photos of this elusive troop in their home environment. The troop usually consists of a leading alpha male accompanied by several females and children of varying ages.

Several of the baboon troop watching me as I watch them.

They are unpredictable characters, though will usually veer away from solo males like myself or groups of hikers. They do however, become more aggressive and opportunistic if you are a female alone, or if you are carrying noticeable food supplies with you. A few years ago I was in a different region of the Cape province doing a hike with a group of friends. We had some picnic lunch supplies in a packet being carried by one of the group and a baboon came right up to the person and grabbed it out of their hand.

So they are quite bold when it comes to food. They are also known to regularly enter any nearby house if they find an open door or window. Here on these southern shores of Africa houses are being built all the time in what was their territory in and amongst nature, and the baboons have regularly made their way in and trashed the kitchen, looking for food. So they are not to be messed with.

A rare opportunity to photograph the baboon troop for the record

Nevertheless, they are protected as a species and respected as the original indigenous wildlife of this area. They are not endangered in any way, although modern civilization is encroaching gradually on their territory with time. When I walk along the coastal hiking trail, they readily evade me and move away, so they are of no danger to me at all. We humans are more of a danger to them it seems. Still, I wouldn’t want to get into a tussle with them since their teeth are massive and seriously sharp. They have been known to also injure or kill dogs that attempt to confront them.

More details about the Robberg Coastal Corridor if you wish to investigate further

My photos today are admittedly not great, since I’m using a simple mobile phone camera, but the mere ability to capture some direct footage of them like this has been most inspiring. You can clearly see the baboons in their natural habitat, through which this Robberg Coastal Corridor hiking trail passes. If you wish to really get a glimpse of the indigenous and sometimes endangered flora and fauna of this beautiful stretch of the Africa coastline, then be sure to look up the Robberg Coastal Corridor and book a guided hike with one of the conservationists. They will tell you lots more and you will be able to capture some rare epic footage, perhaps of the baboon troop or even the whales in the bay, if you’re here during the winter season.

(photos my own)

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