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Perhaps some of you reading this had built a treehouse as a child, dreaming of living in it forever. Well, now you can see that dream come true when you visit Bokeo, a national nature reserve in Laos.
Bokeo Nature Reserve offers you experience of living in a treehouse. Photo: Loren's Wanderlust
The Gibbon Experience is a tourism-based conservation program. Launched in the 1990s to combat deforestation, it is a powerful message about the importance of forest conservation. Only Bokeo Nature Reserve in Southeast Asia could have created such a bold initiative. Asia King Travel will introduce you to everything you need to know about the Gibbon Experience in this article.
The Gibbon Experience was established after the discovery of the local black-shanked gibbon. This unique experience is only available in Bokeo Nature Reserve. The conservation program has two main components: canopy walk platforms for observing the gibbons and opportunities to explore the rainforest.
The story of the treehouses began in 1996 when founder Jef Reumaux traveled to Laos and trekked through the jungle. While wandering, he spotted some black-shanked gibbons and took a few photos of them. It turned out they were a rare and endangered species. That's when he realized he needed to find a way to preserve these beautiful forests.
The black gibbons found only in Laos, is in danger. Photo: Thomas Kimmel
The problem was how to fund the conservation efforts. Rangers needed to be paid, and the government had limited money at that time. So he came up with the idea of creating a network of trails, treehouses, and ziplines. This would not only allow visitors to explore and appreciate the forest but also generate revenue for conservation.
8 treehouses in the conservation are the highest in the world, reaching heights of 30-40 meters. The only way to access these treehouses is by zipline. The zipline system is incredibly extensive, spanning a total of 15 kilometers with some lines reaching up to 600 meters. Your adventure begins as soon as you start your journey to the treehouses.
This is the highest treehouse in the world. Photo: Earth's Corner
The Gibbon Experience offers three tour packages, all of which include trekking and ziplining: Classic, Express, and Waterfall. For families with young children, the Classic tour is recommended as it requires less physical exertion. Adventurous travelers with some experience would like the Express Tour. The Waterfall Tour adds a hike to the Gibbon Waterfall deep within the reserve.
The Gibbon Experience is the only organization offering this unique experience. They have a website where you can easily book your tour, or by phone. On tour day, you will be picked up by a van at the Gibbon Experience office in the small town of Houayxay, then driven for about 2.5 hours to Nam Kan National Park. You will be fitted with zipline equipment and gloves to start the journey.
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The organization has successfully designed a zipline system that connects the ground to the treetops. All treehouses are accessible by zipline. You can also zipline between hills, significantly reducing travel time. What would normally be an 8-hour hike can now be completed in just 2 hours of ziplining. Plus, flying through the air is much more exciting.
Some ziplines are as high as 600 meters above the ground. Photo: Ticket2Attraction
That first moment you clip into the zipline harness? Pure thrill mixed with a dash of fear. One second, you’re watching the guide double-check the clips, and the next, you’re standing on the edge, about to launch. Then suddenly, you’re soaring, skimming over the jungle floor on a cable. All nerves faded as the feeling of flying left all thoughts of landing far behind.
There’s something magical about feeling the wind in your hair as you glide over the treetops, especially at dawn. The cool mist from the trees below hit your face, and the golden morning light bathed everything in a soft glow. The experience of zipping through the jungle canopy was beyond any thrill ride, a feeling of pure freedom that’s impossible to describe until you’re up there, lost in the sky.
The treehouses are entirely made of wood and also fully equipped with all the necessary amenities. With water and electricity supplied, they are no different than traditional bungalows. Fortunately, no internet is available, so evenings are spent chatting, playing card games, and hanging out with other travelers.
A breathtaking sight at dawn. Photo: Reisjunk
The early morning is arguably the most beautiful time of day, with the jungle veiled in a soft morning mist. True to its name, "The Gibbon Experience," so the Nam Kan forest comes to life with the gibbons' calls at dawn. A symphony that will wake even the sleepiest of travelers. Just step out onto your balcony and look down into the forest below to see the black-shanked gibbons swinging through the trees.
When hunger strikes, you won't need to lift a finger. Simply request your meal, and the staff will "swing through" the zipline to deliver it to you. The food is prepared by nearby villages and brought to you by the staff. Fresh fruits and local snacks are also available. Thankfully, you won't have to eat like the gibbons; meals are served family-style on a shared table.
The staff brings the meal through the zipline. Photo: Indie Traveler
An odd thing to note is the bathroom. A curtain separates you from the rest of the house, but in front, you are faced bare with breathtaking forest views. Below you is only a slatted platform, and then down below is only some distant foliage. The water drops down through the platform and all the way down to the jungle floor. It’s like showering in the Garden of Eden.
Any Lao jungle adventure can not miss out on wildlife watching. Some of the region's rare animals include the gibbon, the star of the show. Aside from the best viewing times in the early morning, you may get lucky while trekking or hear them call as the sun goes down. Their echoing howls bounce in the forest making a vibrant, natural soundtrack.
Some animals you can find in Bokeo Nature Reserve. Photo: Laos Travel
Beyond gibbons, you can also spot colorful birds, flying squirrels, and even the occasional shy deer hiding in the bushes. Up in the treehouses, you’ll have a great view of wildlife in the wild without disturbing them - just what you want from an adventurous spirit.
It's recommended to pack light as you'll be carrying your backpack for long stretches. Larger luggage can be left at the Gibbon Experience office. You’ll need durable, quick-dry trekking shoes with good grip to navigate the often rugged terrain. No need to worry about bed sheets, towels, organic soap, or meals. They’re all provided to make your stay comfortable and convenient.
Explore the jungle on foot is the most fully way to see Bokeo. Photo: Longwayaroundtravel
You can bring some optional items for a more comfortable journey. A camera is great for capturing the stunning scenery (just remember to charge it in advance, as there are no electric outlets in the treehouse). Bringing a few games, like cards or small board games, can add a fun element to downtime, and earplugs are a must for light sleepers unaccustomed to jungle sounds. If you’re planning to take a dip while trekking, pack a swimsuit as well.
The Gibbon Experience is the best choice for a nature trip to Laos. Sitting in a treehouse, surrounded by nature, is an experience everyone should have at least once in their lifetime. Let Asia King Travel help you plan your dream getaway.
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