what kind of monkey is rafiki

Rafiki from The Lion King is based on a mandrill monkey. Mandrills are the world's largest species of monkey, known for their striking and colorful faces with vibrant red and blue markings. Although they resemble baboons, mandrills are a distinct species. Male mandrills especially display bright facial coloration linked to dominance and mating status, which is reflected in Rafiki's character design in the film.