Monkey Forest - Yodfat — Attraction in Misgav Regional Council

We recently visited the Monkey Forest, drawn by its promise of a close encounter with free-roaming primates and the allure of a real woodland stroll. At first glance, the setting feels almost magical. The unpaved paths wind through lush greenery, immersing you in a calm, natural atmosphere rather than the typical zoo experience. It’s easy to forget the everyday bustle and imagine yourself entering a hidden realm where the calls of creatures echo through the trees.

However, for those expecting to be surrounded by hordes of playful monkeys swinging above and around them, there might be a tinge of disappointment. On the day I visited, the monkeys seemed scarce. Whether it was bad luck or just the nature of the park, I only spotted a few here and there, which felt underwhelming given the name. Another curious point was the feeding arrangement: there was no mention of it at the ticket counter, but inside the park, staff members were selling small cups (about 50 ml) with just five mealworms for an additional cash fee. I personally felt that, given the 65-shekel entrance price, they could have included at least a small portion of feeding treats—especially for children.

Another detail to note: tickets purchased online are for a specific time slot. Plan ahead and arrive right on time; they wouldn’t let us in earlier and we found ourselves waiting an hour before we could enter. I’m not sure what happens if you’re late, but based on our experience, punctuality seems essential.

All in all, the Monkey Forest left me feeling both enchanted and slightly let down. The grounds themselves are undeniably charming, perfect for anyone craving a peaceful walk amid nature. But if you arrive eager for a troop of monkeys to accompany you at every step, you may leave wishing you had encountered more of the park’s namesake. If you do go, bring a spirit of adventure and keep your eyes open—you never know when a curious little primate might pop out...

The Monkey Forest park is located in a picturesque wooded area with lots of shade and charming pathways. The drive there was also wonderful, up winding mountain roads with beautiful scenery.

As soon as you enter, there are small monkeys waiting to greet you and my child was enchanted.

The whole park is laid out as an adventurous trip through the trees. Halfway, there is a rest area surrounded by water features and caged birds where you can buy cold drinks and ice-cream bars. It was lovely.

There are caged monkeys in addition to the much smaller monkeys roaming free. We were happy to see the monkeys had very good living conditions and were content.

There are peacocks, ducks, roosters, ibex and we even saw one llama roaming freely throughout the park in addition to the very small monkeys.

As you leave the park there is a wonderful shopping/restaurant area with patios and washrooms. We bought a very nice bottle of wine and enjoyed a snack from the cafe.

The staff both inside the park and outside in the shopping area were very polite, friendly and helpful.

We really enjoyed ourselves and...

Fun place for kids. Not a petting zoo, but the animals walk freely around you and come up close. The squirrel monkeys are definitely the highlight. There is a tribe of 14 (as of 2018. They are breeding which also means they are comfortable). They jump around and on the visitors and eat the treats you throw them (bought for 5 shekels a bag). There are also macaques, guenons and lemurs. Other animals are turkeys, roosters, peacocks, sheep, goats, emu, an ostrich, ponies, ferrets, coati, ducks, geese, many kinds of parrots, striped squirrels, donkeys and a fish pond. A very nice stop for families. There are nice Galilean boutique shops and a cafe right...