Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre, Dorset

Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre is one of Dorset's most popular attractions. It is home to many primates who have been rescued from all over the world. The aim of Monkey World is to provide a safe home for the primates, and to help rehabilitate them so they can live happily and without the fear of mistreatment. The work of the centre is so well known that it got them their own TV show, "Monkey Life" - a documentary about how the park runs and how they help the monkeys in their care. A visit to the centre will give you a chance to meet the stars, learn about how the were saved and enjoy watching them monkey around!

The Monkeys

The areas where the monkeys live in their respective groups are huge. Just like your average zoo, there are both indoor and outdoor areas for the monkeys to play and the amount of space they have is fantastic. While some of the smaller primates need less space to roam, the larger ones have more than enough to enjoy. Each enclosure is filled with stimulating activities, ranging from tire swings, to climbing frames to hammocks. On sunny days, you will often catch a chimpanzee soaking up some rays on a hammock! Most of the time though, they are playful and many of the monkeys really enjoy putting on a show for whoever is watching.

Because monkeys are clever, the staff at the centre often teach them new skills by offering them challenging ways to get their food. Instead of just giving it out readily, they devise simple puzzles so they have to work for their meal, rather like they would if they were in the wild. If you visit on a day when new puzzles have been introduced, it is a lot of fun to watch the monkeys trying to figure them out.

Beside every enclosure is a guide to the monkeys who live there. The information tells you their names and the stories behind how each individual monkey was homed by the centre. Some of the stories are heartbreaking and show just how important the work of the organisation is.

At numerous points during the day, the staff give talks at different enclosures to explain more about their residents, how they live, and fun stories about them. If you happen to catch one, you will find that they are informative yet light-hearted so as not to bore people with endless facts. The times of the talks are all listed on the maps which are dotted around the park.

Some of the species you can expect to see are Woolly Monkeys, Orangutans, Chimpanzees, Gibbons and Capuchins, plus many, many more.

Ring -tailed Lemurs

Monkey World is also home to a group of Ring-tailed lemurs. They have their own enclosure, but this one is mainly open. It is a gated area, but once inside, you can walk through them as they run around and play. There are trees and overhead climbing apparatus so you never know where a lemur will appear next! You are advised not to feed or approach them, but being able to get quite close is a great experience.

Facilities

It is impossible to get hungry or thirsty on your visit. As well as cafes situated around the park, there are also numerous kiosks and vending machines so there is nearly always somewhere for you to grab a quick snack. The ice cream kiosk near to the lemur enclosure is particularly good and has some interesting flavours available.

There are also many picnic areas dotted around, so if you want to bring your own food there are plenty of places for you to set up your treats. Mot of them have large play areas for children nearby. There are some fantastic climbing frames, slides, swings and tunnels. In my experience, it can sometimes be hard to tempt the kids away from playing to keep looking at the monkeys!

Toilets in the park are mostly very basic but they are always clean and you will never be too far away from the next one. During the peak season, you may find queues for the toilets but they usually move along quite quickly.

There are disabled facilities at the centre too. Designated parking spots, disabled toilets and special wheelchair swings for children are available. You can also hire motorised scooters and wheelchairs on arrival. Please note, the hire of these things are subject to availability but you can book them in advance just to be sure you have what you need.

Gift Shop and Adoption

The gift shop at Monkey World is an absolute dream for monkey enthusiasts. They sell everything from monkey soft toys, to monkey t-shirts and even monkey paperweights. You should designate at least thirty minutes at the end of your trip to look around because there is a lot to see.

You can also adopt a monkey at the park. Unfortunately, you can't take them home, but the money you spend will go towards the rescue of other endangered monkeys in the future. If you are touched by any of the stories you hear at the park, adoption is a lovely thing to do to show your appreciation. Prices for adoption vary so please see the website (listed below) for more details

There is no time to get bored while visiting because there is always something to look at. As well as learning about the monkeys and seeing the amazing work of the centre's staff, Monkey World is a fantastic day out, providing a fun and educational experience for all.

Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre

Location:

Nr Wareham,
Dorset,
BH20 6HH
United Kingdom
Opening Times: 10am - 5pm
Telephone Number: 01929 462537
Website:Monkey World

Please Note: All photographs taken at Monkey World are for personal use only, due to the monkeys now being stars in their own right. This prevented me from posting any of my own photos from the centre to this article.