If you hear a strange cry outside your tent at night, it may be a bushbaby. These small primates, also called galagos, live in forests and woodlands across Africa. They are active at night, have enormous eyes and can leap impressive distances between trees. Tanzania has several species, including some found nowhere else.
Bushbaby at a glance
| Other name | Galago |
| Group | Primates, related to lorises |
| Active | At night |
| Diet | Insects, tree gum, fruit, flowers |
| Size | From a few hundred grams to over 1 kg, depending on species |
| Where in Tanzania | Woodland, forest, coastal forest and lodge gardens |
Why the name?
Bushbabies are named for their calls, which can sound like a crying child, and for their babylike faces. Hearing one for the first time at night can be unsettling until your guide explains.
Built for the night
Huge eyes
Their eyes are very large compared with their heads, which helps them see in low light. A reflective layer at the back of the eye makes them shine in torchlight. Because their eyes are fixed in their sockets, bushbabies turn their heads to look around.
Sensitive ears
Large, thin ears move independently and can fold back. Bushbabies use them to hear insects moving in the dark.
Powerful legs
Their long back legs let them leap several metres between branches. Some species are among the best jumpers of any primate for their size.
Behaviour
- Nocturnal: they sleep during the day in tree holes, nests or dense vegetation.
- Diet: insects, tree gum and fruit. Gum is especially important in the dry season.
- Scent marking: some species rub urine on their hands and feet, leaving scent as they move.
- Social life: they often forage alone at night but may sleep in small groups.
Bushbabies in Tanzania
Several galago species live in Tanzania. The thick-tailed greater galago is the largest and the one most often seen around lodges. Smaller species include the northern lesser galago. Tanzania is also home to several dwarf galagos found only in small forest areas, some of which are threatened by habitat loss.
Where to see them
| Place | Notes |
|---|---|
| Ngorongoro highlands and Karatu lodges | Often seen in lodge gardens at night |
| Lake Manyara area | Forest and woodland around lodges |
| Tarangire | Woodland camps, especially near trees |
| Coastal forests and Zanzibar | Smaller species in forest patches |
Night drives are not allowed inside most national parks, so lodges and camps just outside are the best places. Some lodges put out lights or feeding tables; we prefer camps that let animals behave naturally.
Tips for spotting bushbabies
- Sit quietly outside after dinner and listen.
- Use a torch with a red filter to look for eye-shine in the trees.
- Ask staff where they are usually seen.
- Never feed or try to touch them.
More wildlife to look for
Bushbabies are one of many small animals that make a safari richer. Read about the serval, the honey badger and the colobus monkey. For the bigger names, see the Big Five in Tanzania. The Northern Loop stays at lodges where bushbabies are often heard at night.
Frequently asked questions
Their calls can sound like a crying baby, and their large eyes and small bodies look babylike.
No. They are small and shy. They should not be touched or fed, as wild animals can bite and feeding changes their behaviour.
Around safari lodges after dark, especially in wooded areas such as the Ngorongoro highlands, Lake Manyara and Tarangire, and in coastal forests.
