Gibbon Conservation Center
Gibbon Conservation Center
4.5
About
The Gibbon Conservation Center is home to more than 40 highly endangered gibbon apes (small apes). This peaceful location is where gibbons live in family groups, raise their infants and socialize as they would in the wild. A guided tour is given at 10:00 a.m. on weekends, when they are open to the public between 9:30 a.m. and noon. Wonderful photo opportunities and a chance to watch gibbons swing from branch to branch and hear them sing their melodic songs. There is a gift shop on site. Private and school tours are available on weekdays.
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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4.5
60 reviews
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pkween
New York98 contributions
Oct 2016 • Family
I believe they are only open Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 am to noon. Tours are given at 10 am. Shortly after we began our tour, the gibbons began their call to mark their territory. The calls can be heard from two miles away and last from 25 to 45 minutes. The tour guide was forced to stop her talk. We thoroughly enjoyed what we did get to see and hear. Little pricey $15 adult, $10 senior, $5 kids
Written 12 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tasiadoo
78 contributions
May 2013 • Family
I took my family here recently on a Sunday morning. What a unique and wonderful experience! I have four children, from 13 down to 6. We all enjoyed this place.
First off, make sure you get there for the 10:00 am tour - which is included with your admission. The tour makes the whole thing worth it. The guide knows all the animals intimately and shares info on how the gibbons got to the center and their personalities, etc. There is a self guided tour if you miss that one, but with very little info compared to the tour.
It took us less than an hour to have the tour and then look around on our own. The gibbons sang while we were there and it was awesome. Gave me chills. Several of the enclosures had babies too, which were really fun to see.
The place has a rustic feel and you can tell the focus is on caring for the gibbons - not on you. There are lots of places to sit and observe the enclosures - even picnic tables in the shade (if you bring your own food).
This is a great place to visit - but it won't be a long outing.
First off, make sure you get there for the 10:00 am tour - which is included with your admission. The tour makes the whole thing worth it. The guide knows all the animals intimately and shares info on how the gibbons got to the center and their personalities, etc. There is a self guided tour if you miss that one, but with very little info compared to the tour.
It took us less than an hour to have the tour and then look around on our own. The gibbons sang while we were there and it was awesome. Gave me chills. Several of the enclosures had babies too, which were really fun to see.
The place has a rustic feel and you can tell the focus is on caring for the gibbons - not on you. There are lots of places to sit and observe the enclosures - even picnic tables in the shade (if you bring your own food).
This is a great place to visit - but it won't be a long outing.
Written 27 May 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KimbaDDS
Santa Clarita, CA76 contributions
Mar 2018 • Family
We took our Girl Scout troop to the Gibbon Conservation Center. Everyone loved it! Lots of pictures! Learned alot about the Gibbons and their care.
Written 2 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Guy D
Palmdale, CA79 contributions
Apr 2018 • Family
This was our second visit to the facility, and my son was visiting to work on an Anthropology lab for the local college he attends. With a Groupon deal, I tagged along as his "lab assistant." Get there when it opens, because my only complaint is that currently it is only open from 9:30 am - noon on Saturdays and Sundays. They offer private tours for groups during weekdays. They have 5 different species of Gibbons (of 12 worldwide) at the center. There is a public tour, led by the center's Director, at 10:00, and we could tell immediately that she is very passionate about these animals and their well-being and conservation. The howling "song" they make is something to be experienced first-hand that gives a whole new perspective on "surround sound." For facilities, there aren't much (a port-a-john), but it is not as far as it looks from Santa Clarita. A little off the beaten path, but worth the drive off Bouquet Canyon.
Written 21 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sminkus
Los Angeles, CA1 contribution
Dec 2013 • Family
I stumbled upon this little gem a while back. It is hidden from view on a gravel road. Once inside it transports you to another place. A magical place free of stress, worries, and politics that seem to pop up everywhere. Admission is $10/adult and children under five are free. The staff and volunteers are caring and informative. They all have a sparkle in their eyes when talking about their apes. The gibbon song is nothing short of amazing. Bring your camera and capture some of the gibbons playing and singing. It is well worth the trip. The gift shop has gibbon dolls which are more realistic then stuffed animals normally are (no oversized eyes here).
Written 16 December 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HappyHiker20
Santa Clarita, CA29 contributions
Feb 2013 • Friends
Be sure to go at 10 am so that you can catch the docent led tour. You will have a much greater appreciation for the Center's work and for the personalities of the gibbons. Such a great place to visit.
Written 25 November 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bootsysmom
Seattle, WA45 contributions
May 2013 • Family
Went here for a Mother's day trip and loved it. I generally love watching monkeys and other primates at zoos but here was a place right in my area where I could do it. There is a cost to get in but the money goes towards the cost of running the center so I didn't mind. The guides were all knowledgeable and friendly and there are places to sit and rest if you get tired.
Written 25 November 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SunshineGirl2929
Newport Beach, CA2,193 contributions
Apr 2013 • Couples
If you love animals, you must go to the Gibbons Conservation Center! This is the rarest group of apes in the Western Hemisphere. They are open Saturday and Sunday mornings 9:30a-12:00n for self-guided tours as well as an expert led tour at 10:00a. Admission is only $10.
The Gibbons totally put on a fabulous "show" swinging, playing and singing!
As in the wild, most Gibbons live here in family units - with Mom, Dad and kids. It was lots of fun watching the animals interact with each other - with behaviors that seem to parallel that of human families. It was also very interesting to see how they introduce male and female Gibbons to each other - in hopes of making a match!
Throughout the center is really cool, old metal patio furniture in front the enclosures. We really enjoyed just sitting on this retro furniture and watching the Gibbons play!
The Center takes excellent care of these glorious animals. Gabriella, the head keeper, is very knowledgeable. It was very interesting to listen to her talk about Gibbons in general and the individual animals at their center.
Please be advised you'll be asked to dip the soles of your shoes in a disinfectant (to protect the animals) and that the toilet is a porta-potty.
The Gibbons totally put on a fabulous "show" swinging, playing and singing!
As in the wild, most Gibbons live here in family units - with Mom, Dad and kids. It was lots of fun watching the animals interact with each other - with behaviors that seem to parallel that of human families. It was also very interesting to see how they introduce male and female Gibbons to each other - in hopes of making a match!
Throughout the center is really cool, old metal patio furniture in front the enclosures. We really enjoyed just sitting on this retro furniture and watching the Gibbons play!
The Center takes excellent care of these glorious animals. Gabriella, the head keeper, is very knowledgeable. It was very interesting to listen to her talk about Gibbons in general and the individual animals at their center.
Please be advised you'll be asked to dip the soles of your shoes in a disinfectant (to protect the animals) and that the toilet is a porta-potty.
Written 17 April 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rybit
Santa Clarita, CA4 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
The gibbons and their keepers are absolutely amazing. The apes are cute and smart and the keepers are very caring and informative. We loved our visit!
Written 2 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Juliana1027
17 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
This was a great experience for a group of Seniors. The Gibbons were singing ,Swinging and very entertaining . The docent filled us with all the information regarding their diet health, how they live in groups. Extremely knowledgeable and informative. It was a great day!
Written 25 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
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