The Gibbon Experience office — Attraction in Bokeo Province

Just got back from a month-long trip to Cambodia, Thailand and Laos. The only reason we went to Laos was for the Gibbon Experience. I have to say it was the absolute highlight of the whole trip! And I have to admit I was kind-of dreading it and was terrified. I’m a 60-yr-old woman and was a bit afraid that it might be too strenuous or would just scare me into a stroke! Haha- far from the truth. We got to Huay Xai the day before, stayed in a hotel about a block from the gibbon office. When we showed up the following morning, we were surrounded by mostly young travelers from the Netherlands. Lots of energy- most of them had never been zip lining either so I just calmed right down. After a safety video, we climbed into the back of pickup trucks and headed up the mountain. It could have been uncomfortable (it was cold and windy) except for the energy of the amazing kids (try to get the back seat of the pickup- we did on our way home). We had to drive for about 2- 2 1/2 hrs (including crossing a stream and then driving on a really curvy, bumpy dirt road) When we got to the drop off point we all got out and started our trek up the mountain. Luckily everything was dry (I had seen YouTube videos of mud, reports of leaches, etc). Never saw a leach or even a mosquito, snake or bug (except ants). The trek up took about 2 hrs. It was pretty strenuous. We got to the equipment camp, got our harnesses, divided into groups for the tree houses (my 57 yr old friend, the only two other men over 60, and an adorable 22yr -old couple who wanted to be in our group). The first zip line was short- it started on the earth. It was actually really easy once you got across. We did 3-4 zips that first day- the last one into our tree house. They were super sturdy, about 15 stories up. I felt completely safe. They zipped in our dinner- really good food and lots of it (including rice whiskey!) we all bonded immediately, our Netherland ‘youngins’ were delightful. We did have a rat that came through that night- he shredded my earplugs and tipped over a basket with some plastic, but otherwise he was terrified of us (I never saw him). Next morning we got up and basically ziplined all day- probably 12-15 with an option to go as many times as you wish on a super long zip line. We visited the other treehouses and spent some time with the other groups (maybe 25-30 people altogether). Back to the treehouse at about 6:00 for dinner. The third day we hiked out (zipping about 6-7 lines) This is what I would suggest: Be in good hiking shape- it’s really important! You have to hike either straight up or straight down for 20-35 minutes between zip lines. Also if you don’t quite get to the landing point, you have to pull yourself in. It’s not too hard but you do need some arm strength. Wear good hiking shoes or running shoes with a good tread. Bring warm clothes for layering at night. They had really thick blankets, but we stayed up talking and it gets quite chilly. There are two people to a bed so if you’re single, be sure there is another person in your group you wouldn’t mind sleeping next to. Take earplugs for ‘snore protection’. The large treehouse is the ‘party’ house. #4 sleeps only 6 people- we got lucky and got #4. Take toilet paper- the water is really cold in those squirters! All in all it was one of the most awesome things I’ve ever done. The guides were great- there was always one in front and one in back. They always made sure we were safe and were super friendly. The whole trip was really well-organized, plenty of really good food and a great opportunity to meet some fantastic people. I would definitely recommend it. Oh- gibbons- we didn’t see any- the forest was actually quiet, but we did see some long-tailed monkeys and one treehouse group saw some gibbons on one of their zips out on the third day. I think unless you’re absolutely terrified of heights, you can do this- just be in REALLY good hiking shape (I was in reasonable shape and the hiking was difficult for me) however, I pretty much loved...

We did the express experience on the 21/09/18. Prior to that we had read a lot of mixed reviews, a number concerned over the safety of the zip lines, the knowledge and friendliness of the staff and sadly the death of the individual who suffered a fatal accident a couple years ago.

First off the safety, we were very concerned about the safety leading up to the trip and on the day we were both very nervous. However we found the safety was good, you watch a video before you embark for your trek, the guides then go through the harness and gear before you do the first zip line. The gear was in relatively good condition and was easy to use. One guide goes first and waits at the other side while the other helps you attach to the zip line and ensures it is secure. One person goes at a time and there are no longer any zip lines that cross over which partly led to the death of the poor individual a couple years back. From what the guide told us, he had gone on a zip line that you were not supposed to (as there are separate zip lines for entering and exiting the tree house)and had jumped to get more momentum which combined with his weight had made the zip line unstable and he had collided into another zip line that ran underneath the one he was on, causing him to detach from his gear.

We felt more comfortable as the day wore on and you did more zip lines, becoming familiar with the gear and being able to attach and detach yourself, the guides are also there just in case you wish to double check anything.

The friendliness and knowledge of the guides. We didn't have the best reception when we first arrived at the office to inquire about the safety of the experience, how the individual had passed away and what they had done since to improve. D-One was the guy we were talking to and he was not helpful, very blunt, didn't seem to show much remorse for the individual who had passed away, instead saying "it was his time to go" which we felt was very insensitive and odd to say. He didn't explain much about the equipment other than saying it was international standards like that explains everything. He did not show much passion, enthusiasm or interest when we asked about the express tour and what's involved. We left feeling more unsure, especially concerning the waiver you have to sign as it absolves the company of any responsibility regarding any and all accidents that may occur on the trip and that you and your fellow trekkers are solely responsible for nearly everything, which does absolutely nothing to reassure you.

However on our second visit to the office after taking some time to think things over, we were greeted by a much better staff member who explained everything very well, was polite and engaging and showed remorse for the death that occurred. He told us of what the company had been doing since and how the equipment worked and what to be aware of.

The guides we had on the day were very friendly, helpful and checked your harness routinely. They made jokes and provided some insights into the forest and wildlife. They didn't demonstrate as wide a knowledge as we were hoping but they do try to answer all your questions and their English was good.

The food is basic but tasty and when your trekking through the forest, you build up a huge appetite and you appreciate the food. The tree house is really cool and the views you experience are incredible, we had a good group and good guides so we were lucky. But I know it hasn't always been the case for other groups, it is a great experience if it goes well. It shouldn't be as expensive as it is for what you get but if you have the funds available and you get a good group, the Gibbon Experience can be a lot of fun, just be cautious and careful.

Hope this review helps and...

Let's start with

The Positives (we did the classic 2 night 3 day tour):

A good fun jungle experience with cool Treehouses and Ziplines through the treetops. There is also some slightly arduous but fun jungle trekking. The views from the Treehouses are spectacular. They are wonderfully constructed right at the canopy of the jungle and claim to be the worlds highest. You shower and go to the loo with glorious treetop views and live communally in shared spaces right at the top of the trees. The local staff from the villages are TREMENDOUS, love their jobs, do their very best to look after, educate and entertain you. Treetops food is delicious. It's nice to also hear that the locals are well paid (in Laotian terms) and they and their families get healthcare (gold dust In Laos).

The not so good: 3 things you should know

You may get to see a gibbon or two if you are lucky. The 2 groups before us did not. We snatched a glimpse on our last morning of 1, some distance away. If you do the 2 day 1 night tour you will not, so the tour is somewhat misleading in its name and overall branding. Those who know jungles well appreciate how difficult it is to see wildlife in the jungle. Other than our pair of Gibbons and some small Birdlife we saw nothing and this felt disingenuous after what we saw looking at the website.

Don't be fooled by the .org Web address, this is a wholly for profit organisation. The business is owned, not by the indigenous community and staff, but wholly by 2 French Directors, contrary to what the website claims.

Speaking to the staff and others there is sadly no apparent attempt by the business to conserve or manage the dwindling Gibbon population in this area, which is a crying shame. Do not mistake this as a conservation or ecological project. The claims on the website are a 'stretch' in this regard. I came to look at this side of the jungle life and got almost nothing sadly.

The really bad:

6 out of 8 of the group we travelled into the jungle with got food poisoning on the last day. On attempting to tell Thomas, the Managing Director, all I received was a barrage of commentary on how it was not their responsibility and it could not have been them! Patently the data shows this not to be true and it wholly ruined not only the next 4 days of our trip, but also our view of the trip as a whole.

Looking at other comments here in the reviews, that seems to be the way they approach everything that isn't a positive sadly.

In summary

As a treetop ziplining jungle adventure this is fun, if quite pricey for that. For those interested in wildlife, take your money elsewhere and I really hope you are luckier than we were with your food!!!

EDIT after response below.

As you can see, no admission of any possible responsibility and trying to pretend that 6 of us who were in different hotels when we got back somehow didn't yet this bug whilst we were together...!!!

Also it says nowhere on the website that you are very, very unlikely to see the Gibbons on the classic tour.. its just teeehosues and ziplines in the jungle

As for the conservation efforts, I did discuss these in full with an employee who told me the information above and certainly that was the evidence one sees on the ground. Patently a for.profit organisation pretending to be so much more ethical than they are.

A sad attitude that confirms all of my fears during the trip, its just clever marketing about...