Monkey Business: How to Baboon-Proof Your Camp Setup

If you camp in South Africa long enough, you will pay the "Bush Tax."

Maybe it’s a packet of rusks disappearing while you grab a towel. Maybe it’s finding your tent unzipped and your toothpaste chewed up. Whether it’s the cheeky Vervet monkeys in Kruger or the heavyweight Chacma baboons in the Cape, our primates are smart, strong, and always hungry.

But don’t let the fear of a raid ruin your trip. With a few smart adjustments to your setup, you can outsmart the locals. Here is how to baboon-proof your campsite.

1. The "Ammo Crate" Rule

Standard plastic storage tubs (the ones with simple clip-on lids) are child's play for a baboon. If a 3-year-old can open it, a baboon can definitely open it.

• The Fix: Invest in Wolf Packs (Ammo Crates) with proper spring-loaded metal clips or sturdy latches.

• The Habit: If you aren’t actively cooking or eating, the lid goes back on and the clips go down. It takes 3 seconds, but it saves your supper.

2. Lock Your Zippers

Monkeys have watched us use zippers for decades—they know exactly how they work. There is nothing worse than coming back from a game drive to find a baboon sitting inside your tent.

• The Fix: You don't need a heavy-duty safe lock. A simple, small luggage padlock or even a carabiner clip through the two zip pulls is usually enough to frustrate them. They want easy access; if it’s fiddly, they often move on.

3. The Fridge Slide Check

Baboons are incredibly strong. In campsites like Storms River or Cape Vidal, big males have been known to rip open velcro and even pull cooler boxes right out of open vehicles.

• The Fix: If you have a fridge slide in your bakkie or trailer, ensure it has a locking pin. If you rely on straps, double-check them. And never, ever leave your car windows open "just a crack" for ventilation—baboons can push that glass down or shatter it with surprising ease.

4. Trash Management

This is where most campers get lazy. A black bag tied to a tree is basically a "Free Buffet" sign.

• The Fix: Burn your meat bones in the fire (if the campsite allows) or lock your trash inside the vehicle or trailer trailer bin at night. If the campsite has monkey-proof cages for bins, use them immediately—don’t let the bag sit at your site until morning.

Pro Tip: The "Visual Deterrent" Myth

You might hear people say, "Just put a rubber snake on the table." While this can work on younger, inexperienced monkeys, the older troops in popular parks have seen it all before. They know the snake isn't moving. By all means, try it, but never trust a rubber snake with your biltong. Physical barriers (locks and latches) are the only 100% guarantee.

A baboon trying to open a car door on a road.