The Gibbon Experience, Huay Xai Overview

The Gibbon experience is a way to explore Bokeo Nature reserve, a national park located near Ban Houayxay village in Bokeo province in Northwest Laos. It is an ecotourism project run by the government to sustain tourism, provide employment opportunities for locals and conserve the reserve area. It is recommended for tourists visiting Bokeo province to explore the reserve through the Gibbon experience for getting to know the wildlife and the locals.

Activities by the Gibbon Experience

The organisation conduct guided tours to conserve nature and wildlife. There are exclusive tours to watch the gibbons in their natural habitat. There are also several trekking options, some of which include overnight stays in treehouses. You can also take up zip-lining for an adventurous experience amidst the mountains. The wildlife tour costs about 50 to 70 USD per person, while other combo tours cost higher and depends on the number of people and tours opted.

Tips

There are no ATMs in Huay Xai town, and all transactions are done in cash. It is better to carry sufficient money.
Also, there are minimal options for food and drinks, and the few restaurants close at 6 PM. So carry your snacks and water while exploring places and plan your dinner before 6. There are also no public toilets available.
Accommodation options are limited in Huay Xai town and can get booked during the peak season. It is recommended to book hotels and guesthouses in advance.
Carry sunscreen, umbrella or a hat for the sun and raincoats as well. Also, it is recommended to wear good walking shoes as it involves walking around in steep, slippery areas.

Best time to visit

The best time for the Gibbon experience is between October to February, when the weather is not hot, and the humidity is manageable. The wildlife are easy to spot after the rainfall here, and greenery surrounds during this season. It is an excellent time to hike around the reserve area.

The Gibbon Experience History & Significance

Being on the banks of the Mekong River, the Bokeo reserve area is home to precious gems, abundant wildlife and floral life. It was created to protect its population of the black-cheeked gibbon, which are rare species of monkeys unique to this place among many wildlife species. They were thought to be extinct but have been revived. The terrain of the national park is a mix of forested mountains, deciduous groves and limestone cliffs. The abundant wildlife includes bears, monkeys, insects, elephants, tigers, bears, along with the popular black-cheeked gibbon.

As of now, the only way to access Bokeo park is via the Gibbon Experience, through which you can book all tours since 2007. The Gibbon Experience project was established in 2004. The mission is to conserve the forest lands from logging, reckless agriculture and poaching of wild animals in Huay Xai region.