Monkey Gereza tricolor or Kima punju - Zanzibar

Where did the name Gereza tricolor come from?

Gerezy can be found in many regions of the world where they are favored by the climate. They are found in Asia and Africa, they like mangroves and rainforests. On the other hand, the tricolor geese are endemic and inhabit only Zanzibar. They eat mainly leaves, flowers, rarely fruit, unless they are unripe, because the stomachs of geese do not produce adequate enzymes that break down the sugar contained in ripe fruit. They are colored in 3 colors: gray-black, white and red.

Tricolor georgees are small in size, have a long tail and, interestingly, they do not have a thumb. They are very social monkeys, they like to play and frolic, they spend most of their time in the tree in constant motion. They live in herds, usually several dozen individuals, where females and young are the majority.

The monkey Gereza or Kima punju

Kima Punju in Swahili means "mean monkey" that brings bad luck. Apparently the name comes from the fact that these monkeys are extremely mean and have an incredibly unpleasant smell. On their part, I did not experience any unpleasant sensations, because they are nice and fancy animals, but sometimes I have the impression that I have a few people I know with such symptoms.

Tricolor Gerezy outside the Jozani National Park? - impossible

We were a bit shocked to find monkeys in a place where they shouldn't be. All the natives swore that Gerezy lived only in the rainforest of the Jozani Chwaka Bay Reserve in Zanzibar. As it turned out - not necessarily. We met them while visiting a center run by a Pole named Artur, who showed us around. The resort is called White Sand Luxury Villas & Spa - Relais & Chateaux and is one of the most expensive on the island. The cheapest accommodation is around USD 700 per night, but I must admit that it made an impression on us. It is difficult to call this resort a hotel, because it is a few large villas with their own swimming pools, spa terraces, etc. Luxury. Since I mention this resort, a few photos below

Why did Gerezy decide to stay in a luxury hotel?

I suspect that they like the peace that the resort offers them, because nobody except a few residents is allowed there, it is even difficult to bring in guests when there is no connection. And Park Jozani is a swirl of passionate tourists with outstretched, eager for beautiful photos with the background of monkeys or with a monkey on his shoulder.