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  • Bushbabies


Lesser and thick-tailed bushbabies

The lesser and the thick-tailed bushbaby both occur in the Kruger National Park. These little animals are strictly nocturnal and only seen on guided night drives or in camps. They are actually small primates that appear very monkey-like. Bushbabies spend most of their lives in trees.


Lesser bushbaby

(Galago moholi)

lion

Total length:

30-40cm / 11.8-15.8in

Weight:

±150 g/ 5.3oz

Food:

Mainly acacia tree gum and insects

Habitat:

Acacia savannas and riverine forests

Social behaviour:

Family groups of 2-8 individuals, but on guided night drives they're often seen alone

Active:

At night

Sightings:

Relatively common on night drives in the right habitats


Lesser bushbabies are very small (about the size of a closed fist) and only show themselves after dark. They are incredible jumpers and on guided night drives can be seen leaping from one branch to the next. They have saucer-like eyes which reflect brightly in the spotlight – even over a great distance.


Thick-tailed bushbaby

(Otolemur crassicaudatus)

lion

Total length:

70-80cm / 27.6-31.5in

Weight:

1-1.5 kg / 2.2-3.3lbs

Food:

Fruits, acacia tree gum, insects and birds

Habitat:

Woods, riverine forests and acacia savannas

Social behaviour:

They rest in family groups of 2-6 individuals, but forage alone

Active:

At night

Sightings:

Seldom seen on game drives, but may be located in certain camps


The thick-tailed bushbaby is much larger than the lesser bushbaby and is very rarely seen on game drives, even at night. They live in the dense canopies of riverine forests and other thickets in Kruger, making it very difficult to see them. They do have a very loud and recognisable call, which can help you to find them with a flashlight or spotlight in camp.



Back to main mammals page

How to find bushbabies in the Kruger National Park:

leopard

Stay at these camps:
Skukuza
Lower Sabie
Satara

Top tips:
Skukuza camp is the best place in the park to search for thick-tailed bushbabies. Listen out for their noisy calls after dark and then look for them with a flashlight.

Go on guided night drives in areas with acacia habitats (like Skukuza and Lower Sabie).


Check out our other mammals gallery:other mammals gallery



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