Welsh Ape & Monkey Sanctuary, South Wales

Brown signs help you locate the sanctuary, but take care as your satnav may take you to a very small lane nowhere near where you want to go.

Gibbons, chimpanzees, baboons have all found safety and care at this old welsh farm.

Wonderful open welsh mountains and fresh air

The shop provides a few amenities, but its obvious the priority is care of the animals and raising funds for their upkeep. Many have been rescued from live of violence or abuse. Others, through no fault of their own were due to be shot or were surviving in a zoo dependent on the local people for their food.

Large labels not only advise the species in each enclosure but also the animals' pet names, their character traits and history.

The sanctuary allows a close-up experience of these wonderful but powerful animals.

The shop also has many donated items for sale and a huge collection of second-hand books on a great variety of topics. Always worth a good rummage.

As the mood of various animals often changes within a couple of minutes, it would be interesting to take time out to observe them over time.

You may hear the site before you get there. A few chimpanzees love running back and fore along the fence dragging a plastic bottle against the bars. It draws a crowd, but I'm not sure if that is the intention.

Please check opening hours before visiting.

Welsh Ape & Monkey Sanctuary
Caehopkin Road
Abercrave
SA9 1UD