Geladas are endemic to Ethiopia and exist primarily in the Simien Mountains, making this one of very few places in the world where you can see them. They live in large multi-male, multi-female herds that can number in the hundreds, grazing the high-altitude grasslands together. Approaching a grazing herd on foot is straightforward — the animals are accustomed to people and will allow close approach as long as you move calmly and avoid sudden movements.
The best gelada watching is along the escarpment edge between Sankaber and Geech camps. The animals spend their days on the plateau and descend to sleep on the cliff faces at night; early morning finds them moving back up to the grazing grounds, and this is the best time for photography. Males are striking animals — the dominant males have flowing capes of chestnut fur and vivid chest patches; fights between males involve elaborate displays and occasionally serious conflict. Ethiopian wolves are also sometimes seen in the same areas, occasionally hunting rodents in the moorland.