Photographing Red Colobus Monkeys in Zanzibar

This year I had the absolute pleasure of spending three months on the tropical island of Zanzibar. Nestled in the Indian Ocean just off the coast of Tanzania, it’s known for its white sandy beaches, turquoise waters, and spice markets that hit your nostrils long before you arrive.

But something I didn’t expect, something far more wild and wonderful, was the regular encounters with Red Colobus Monkeys. Not in some hidden-away jungle reserve, but right here in the village of Paje, where I’ve been staying. Picture this: you’re sipping a cocktail under a tree, the sun beginning to dip below the horizon, and a gang of rare monkeys swings overhead like they own the place.

Spoiler alert: they kind of do.

What are Red Colobus Monkeys?

The Red Colobus Monkey is a species native to Zanzibar, more specifically Piliocolobus kirkii, also known as Kirk’s Red Colobus. They’re one of the rarest primates on Earth, and they’re endemic to Zanzibar, meaning you won’t find them anywhere else in the world.

They’ve been around these parts for centuries but are sadly listed as endangered. Deforestation and habitat loss are the biggest threats to their existence, with population estimates hovering somewhere around 5,000 in the wild.

They’re easy to spot thanks to their shaggy reddish backs, long tails, and expressive black faces. You’ll often hear them before you see them, snorting, squeaking, and rustling the treetops like mischievous toddlers.

Where to See Red Colobus Monkeys in Zanzibar

If you’re planning a trip and wondering where to catch a glimpse of these beautiful animals, you’ve got a few good options:

• Jozani Forest National Park – This is the most well-known place to see them. It’s protected land, and the monkeys here are incredibly used to human presence.
• Paje and Jambiani villages – Wild Red Colobus monkeys roam freely through these areas. This is where I saw them most often, including near construction sites, village rooftops, and even hopping from tree to tree.
• Kizimkazi – Less touristy but still a great place for spotting wildlife, especially if you’re already heading down to see the dolphins.

But for me, Paje was the sweet spot. No entry fees, no tours, no distractions. Just you, your camera, and the monkeys doing their thing.

My Experience: Photographing Them in the Wild

I was keeping my girlfriend company while she was attending to business at a construction site. And she saw a whole family of Red Colobus Monkeys leaping through the trees. Some were munching on leaves, others were grooming each other, and a few younger ones were just swinging around like they were in Cirque du Soleil.

I grabbed my camera, two of my favourite lenses and walked over to get a closer look. What struck me most was how relaxed they were. I expected them to bolt the moment I raised my camera, but they didn’t. In fact, a few seemed to pause and pose.

What Gear I Used

Sigma 150-600mm DG DN Sports Lens

Most of the photos were taken using this beast of a lens. It let me keep a respectful distance while still filling the frame with the monkeys. The detail I managed to capture was unreal, individual strands of hair, textures of tree bark, even a few glints in their eyes.

If you’re serious about wildlife photography, especially in a place like Zanzibar, this lens is an absolute weapon.

Sigma 150-600mm DG DN Sports Lens Review

Sigma 35mm f1.4 DG DN Art Lens

For the braver monkeys (or maybe just curious ones), I switched to my Sigma 35mm f1.4. It allowed for more intimate, storytelling compositions, monkeys walking rooftops, peering through banana leaves, or just chilling out above the beach bars.

The shallow depth of field gave me that dreamy bokeh behind the leaves and sky. Ideal for isolating the subject, even in a chaotic jungle of branches.

Sigma 35mm f1.4 DG DN Art Lens Review

Tips for Photographing Wild Monkeys in Zanzibar

If you’re planning to photograph Red Colobus Monkeys (or any wild primates for that matter), here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Keep Your Distance (If You Can)

Even if they’re friendly, they’re still wild animals. Avoid getting too close or doing anything that might feel intrusive. A zoom lens like the Sigma 150-600mm is perfect for this.

2. Watch Your Shutter Speed

These monkeys don’t sit still for long. Use a fast shutter speed, preferably 1/1000s or higher, to freeze movement, especially when they’re jumping from tree to tree.

3. Use Silent Shutter Mode

Some monkeys are curious. Others aren’t. If you’re firing off a hundred frames a minute with a loud mechanical shutter, chances are they’ll be gone in a flash. Silent mode gives you the edge.

4. Light is Tricky Under the Canopy

The jungle can be high contrast, bright sunlight streaming through gaps in the leaves and deep shadows everywhere else. Meter carefully or shoot in RAW so you’ve got flexibility when editing.

5. Go Early or Late

Mornings and late afternoons are best. Not just for the light, but for the monkeys too, they’re more active during these times, and you won’t melt in the midday sun.

Respecting the Monkeys and Their Habitat

There’s something special about seeing a wild animal in its natural environment. But with that comes responsibility.

• Don’t feed them. They’ve survived this long on their own.
• Don’t touch them. Even if they seem friendly, it’s not worth risking your safety or theirs.
• Don’t litter. Ever. Anywhere. But especially not in places like this where plastic and waste are becoming a real issue for both wildlife and locals.

Final Thoughts

Photographing the Red Colobus Monkeys of Zanzibar was one of the most unexpected highlights of my time here. There’s something magical about sitting quietly beneath a palm tree, camera in hand, as one of the world’s rarest monkeys hangs upside down above you, leaf in mouth, eyeballing your lens like a seasoned model.

If you’re coming to Zanzibar with a camera, don’t miss the opportunity. Whether you’re staying in Paje like me, or heading to Jozani Forest, there’s every chance you’ll come away with more than just a few good shots. You’ll come away with stories.