A Day at Monkey Mountain: Unique Encounter with Japanese Macaques in Carinthia
Monkey Mountain in Carinthia is a place where nature meets exciting encounters. Here, approximately 183 Japanese macaques live in a 4-hectare open-air enclosure, which allows them to live close to their natural habitat. This special attraction offers you the opportunity to observe macaques in their quasi-natural habitat and gain interesting insights into their behavior.
In 2023, Monkey Mountain was crowned the most beautiful place in Austria in the TV show “9 Places, 9 Treasures.”
Quick Facts about Monkey Mountain:
- What is Monkey Mountain? A park in Carinthia where approximately 183 Japanese macaques live in a species-appropriate habitat.
- Where is it located? Burg Landskron, 9523 Landskron, Austria. Northeast of Villach near Lake Ossiach.
- Activities: Observe macaques in the wild and learn about their behavior from a guide.
- Admission Prices: Adults €16, Children (4-14 years) €8, Family ticket €43.
- Opening Hours: April to November 2nd, 09:30 – 17:30. Find all prices and opening hours here.
- Duration of Visit: 45 minutes for the guided tour, but plan more time to explore the area.
- Special Notes: Guided tours are the only way to visit the park. Dogs can wait in special dog suits.
- Tip: During peak season, there may be waiting times, especially around midday. We also recommend the Eagle Flight Show at Burg Landskron nearby.
What is Monkey Mountain?
Monkey Mountain is more than just a tourist attraction; it is a research and education center dedicated to providing visitors with a deep understanding of the lifestyle and social behavior of Japanese macaques. Through guided tours where the animals can be observed in their natural behavior without disturbance, Monkey Mountain offers a unique opportunity to experience primates in an environment as close to their natural habitat as possible.
What Can You See There?
In addition to the fascinating opportunity to observe Japanese macaques in their daily lives, Monkey Mountain also offers the chance to participate in special guided tours. These allow visitors to experience the animals up close and learn from experts about their habits, social structures, and the ecosystem in which they live. A particular highlight is observing swimming and diving macaques, a behavior rarely seen in the wild.
Research and Education
Monkey Mountain also serves as a research station in collaboration with the University of Vienna. Valuable work is being done here to better understand the behavior and social structures of macaques. Research at Monkey Mountain not only contributes to the protection of these fascinating animals but also to the general understanding of primate behavior and their conservation in the wild.
Visitor Information
When visiting Monkey Mountain, it’s important to know that interaction with the macaques is strictly regulated to ensure their well-being. Feeding or touching the animals is prohibited, and visits are only possible as part of guided tours. These measures serve the protection of the animals as well as the safety of visitors.
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