The Patas Monkey is distributed in a broad band across Africa south of the Sahara and north of the equatorial forests. See the distribution map at IUCN. It is found in open woodland savanna, semi-desert and grasslands.

With their long legs they are reckoned to be the fastest primate and use this speed of up to 55 km/hour to escape most predators rather than climbing trees.

The male has a rather splendid moustache which leads to its alternative English names of Hussar or Military Monkey.