Our Lemur Landing Gift Shop is typically open every day but Tuesdays from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM EST and before and after all scheduled tours. We will have additional dates that we’re closed from time to time, so please check HERE to be sure of those.
Reservations Essential
Any guests must have a prepaid tour reservation in order to visit the Lemur Center. In order to keep the endangered primates that call the DLC home safe and healthy, we regret that we cannot accommodate any walk-in visitors in any capacity. Please continue reading below to learn more about each tour type and how to reserve your space. Full registration information is available in the links to each specific tour type below.
Tour Options and Availability
Thanks for your interest in visiting the Lemur Center! Because the DLC is first and foremost a non-invasive research center, visiting is a different experience to your traditional zoos or aquariums. We have many incredible and unique tour options, but our schedule also varies depending on the time of year.
We generally have two main seasons: “tour season” in May – September and “off-season” in October – April. This chart gives you a quick look at what tours we offer at which times of year, including some that may be offered week-of depending on factors like weather and staffing. For specific details on each tour, please see the links to each specific tour under their photos and descriptions below.
MAY-JULY TOURS ARE NOW OPEN FOR REGISTRATION: You can now reserve a General Tour, Private Tour, Walking with Lemurs tour, or Behind the Scenes tour for available dates in May, June, or July – click specific links for the tour you’re interested in to see full details and register now!
HOLIDAY HOURS: Check HERE for detailed holiday closure dates.
Click on the chart for a larger view.
General Tour
The General Tour offers an overview of the Duke Lemur Center, its three-fold mission, and its residents—and allows guests to see at least eight species of the amazing lemurs that call the DLC home! This tour is ideal as an introduction to the DLC for all ages, and it includes loads of interaction and Q&A time with our trained educators, so whether you’re a returning lemur fan or a brand-new visitor, we’ll make your tour experience educational and unforgettable. Click here to learn more!
When is it offered?
Tour Season (May – September): offered every week with registration opening about two months in advance
Off-Season (October – April): may be offered on select weekends, registration would open week-of.
Walking with Lemurs Tour
This incredible experience takes you into the Duke Lemur Center’s famous Natural Habitat Enclosures, where you can view the lemurs in the trees of large, forested habitats from just six feet away, and with no barriers between you and the lemurs! Click here to learn more.
When is it offered?
Tour Season (May – September): offered every week with registration opening about two months in advance
Off-Season (October – April): may be offered on select weekends, registration would open week-of
Private Tour
The Private Tour is a personalized version of our General Tour – visiting the same animals along the tour path, but with one dedicated tour guide just for you and your small group. This tour experience is perfect for any age range or familiarity with lemurs, since your tour guide can cater their delivery to your group’s interests and questions. Click here to learn more!
Please note that like our General Tour, the Private Tour stays on our public tour path, and does not include any time in behind the scenes or in our forested habitats. See below for more information on tours venturing into those areas.
When is it offered? Private Tours are only offered during our tour season (May – September), with registration opening about two months in advance.
Behind the Scenes Tour
Take a peek behind the animal care curtain of the Duke Lemur Center on this one-of-a-kind experience! You’ll get up close views of afternoon feedings and enrichment sessions, and your tour guide can focus on your interests the whole time. Click here to learn more!
When is it offered? Behind the Scenes Tours are offered year round, though the day of the week that is offered may shift between tour season and off-season. Registration opens about two months in advance.
Group Tours and Field Trips
From 2nd grade field trips to summer camps to corporate retreats, visiting the lemurs is a fantastic activity for everyone! Our Group Tours and Field Trips option encompasses groups of all ages that don’t fit into the parameters of our other tour options. Click here to learn more.
When is it offered? We accommodate most Group Tours and Field Trips between May and September, but additional dates can be available for Duke University groups, or those interested in a more customized experience.
Wild Workshops
Dive deep into fascinating topics with our experts and enjoy fun behind-the-scenes activities in our new and improved Wild Workshops! We will rotate between themes depending on the time of year, but we can guarantee that every Wild Workshop will be full of interesting facts, engaging activities, and of course, lots of lemur viewing. Click here to learn more!
When is it offered? Wild Workshops are only offered during our off-season, specifically October – April. Registration opens about two months in advance.
Safety Protocols for All Tours
Wearing a face mask is now optional for all visitors to the Duke Lemur Center, except those experiencing cold or flu symptoms.
