Great Apes of Harambee

The Great Apes of Harambee is a lush, 4-acre naturalistic habitat located in the Zoo’s African Forest and home to gorillas and chimpanzees. Indoor and outdoor habitats have viewing areas for guests to observe these primates as they interact with one another and explore their separate, expansive spaces.

Guests are able to see these primates from many different vantage points as they walk the perimeter of the habitat. Educational signage shares helpful information about the primates’ characteristics, behaviors and diets. Many of these areas also have coin-operated telescopes where guests can take a closer look at these charismatic animals.

An indoor area is accessible to visitors for viewing the animals when they are in their interior spaces during inclement weather or when temperatures dip too low for them to be outdoors. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide guests with remarkable views of the animals exploring their space from varying levels, trees and swings. Guests will find additional educational information inside the building, including a display comparing human hands to those of gorillas, chimpanzees and orangutans. There is also a short film about the Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education (GRACE) Center, which provides information about the important work the Detroit Zoological Society is doing to support the organization with veterinary care and humane education programs.