On the Gibbon Trail

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Trip Start Dec 07, 2004 Previous
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  Bokeo Nature Reserve, Lao Peoples Dem Rep
Thursday, April 21, 2005

Last week, we had one of the highlights of our trip. We finally found the Gibbon Experience, we had heard about from other travellers when we were still in Cambodia. It sounded like something we just couldn't miss, but it was not easy to find. They have no website, and no advertising, as the project has only been open for 4 months. The project is an ecolodge set amidst the trees in lush Northern Lao jungle. The lodge is literally built into the trees as a treehouse with running water and several open-air sleeping areas. Everything and everyone gets in and out of the treehouse via steel cables strung throughout the forest canopy. Needless to say, being harnessed in and zipping through the jungle 300 feet high is very exhilerating. For me, being in a harness and being at heights was nothing new, but I was somewhat concerned that Suzanne wouldn't take to it (as was she!). After a few cable runs to and from our treehouse and other trees throughout the valley, she was a pro. Not only is the location and concept very unique, but the catering system is, as well. The Lao staff cable in with hot meals 3 times a day, and snacks and fresh coffee throughout the afternoon, etc. We spent 3 days in the treehouse, cabling like monkeys thoughout the Bokeo Nature Reserve, eating lots of sticky rice and lounging in our 120-foot home.

The aim of the project is to promote nature conservation in an area which currently still sees poaching and logging, and to promote tourism in a unique fashion. The owner/founder, a frenchman who has become a Lao, has taken the last 2 years to create his dream, involving the local villagers in the construction, maintenance and management. In addition, he's saved a baby black gibbon (an endangered primate) named Willy from a Bangkok market and is slowly reintroducing him into the wild. The area is home to all kinds of wildlife, including several gibbon families, which he hopes will adopt Willy. Unfortunately, for much of our stay, Willy was making his way back from a Bangkok hospital, as he had fallen 120 feet and broken both his legs. Amazing that that was his only injury, considering the height he fell. We did get to meet him on our last day, with his leg casts off, and he was back to his playful friendly self (photo enclosed).

We definitely think that this place will take off in the future, as the owner continues to build a 2nd and 3rd treehouse, and connecting cables. His dream is to cover a 25km stretch of forest with aerial cableways. We recommend that anyone travelling through this part of the world should make the Gibbon Experience part of their trip.

Thailand is the next stop for us...more to come!

Hope everyone is well, enjoying life on the ground.

Post your own travel photos for friends and family Pictures

Black Gibbon	Don't look down	Suz flying high	Suz looking out from the washroom.
The jungle in the mist	The Living Room	Tree House

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