Vervet monkeys can live in a drier habitat than other members of this genus and are most abundant in and near riparian vegetation of savannahs, being generally absent from open grassland and open scrub. They will penetrate deep into otherwise totally unsuitable terrain along rivers and streams and will settle there if the riverine woodland is sufficiently developed to provide fruit bearing trees and cover. This is demonstrated by their occurrence in the dry interior of the Cape Province where they occur in parts of the riverine woodland of the Orange River and in parts of the Vaal River. The same applies in Botswana where they occur widely in the Okavango Delta and in parts of the eastern sectors that are well watered, but not in the arid scrub associations of the Kalahari which cover the larger part of the country.

Scientists noted their occurrence in rocky hills in the Grootfontein and Tsumeb districts of Namibia where they depend on the occurrence of permanent springs, but are not found in the surrounding terrain. The troops will wander far from permanent water during times of the year when wild fruits are available; returning to the better-watered country as the food supply diminishes. The Vervet monkey has a wide habitat tolerance.