Tucked away in the woodlands of Durham, North Carolina, the Duke Lemur Center is home to the world’s most diverse population of lemurs outside of Madagascar. A leader in conservation and scientific discovery, this unique center allows visitors to explore the fascinating world of lemurs through educational programs, immersive tours, and hands-on learning experiences.
Recommended For
The Duke Lemur Center is ideal for:
- Families and children looking for a fun and educational wildlife encounter.
- Animal lovers passionate about conservation and endangered species.
- Science and biology enthusiasts interested in behavior, genetics, and ecology.
- Photographers seeking to capture animals in naturalistic settings.
- Educators and homeschoolers looking for innovative learning experiences.
What Is the Duke Lemur Center?
- Founded as the Duke University Primate Center, it now houses over 250 animals across 21 species, including lemurs, lorises, and tarsiers.
- A world-class facility focused on conservation, behavioral science, physiology, genomics, and paleontology.
- Promotes the protection of the world’s most endangered group of mammals—lemurs.
Visitor Experiences
- By appointment only: Visitors must book a guided tour in advance.
- Tours run 7 days a week and may be booked up to 3 weeks in advance for weekdays and 5 weekends in advance during spring and summer.
Featured Tours
- Lemurs Live! Tour: Great for ages 7+, this guided tour introduces 10 lemur species and their unique traits.
- Lemurs Live! Twilight Tour: Watch lemurs during their most active twilight hours and see rare aye-ayes in natural light.
- Walking with Lemurs: A 90-minute experience where guests can walk among lemurs in natural enclosures.
- Behind-the-Scenes Tour: Learn how the center operates and view behind-the-scenes animal care.
- Lemur Keeper for a Day: Assist staff with feeding, enrichment, and lemur care duties.
- Painting with Lemurs: Watch lemurs create colorful artwork as part of their enrichment program.
- A Photographer’s Dream: Capture stunning photos of lemurs with guidance from staff photographer David Haring.
Educational Programs
- Lemur Learning Labs: Hands-on science activities focused on lemur research and conservation.
- Homeschool Academy: A six-session program for middle school students covering primatology, husbandry, and more.
- Lemur S.C.O.U.T. Program: Tailored for scouts and guides to deepen conservation awareness.
- Camps & Workshops: Includes science, art, and writing camps such as:
- Leaping Lemurs! Track Out Science Camp
- Leaping Lemurs! Summer Science Camp
- Play Wild Camp and Year-round creative camps
Planning Your Visit
- Location: 3705 Erwin Road, Durham, North Carolina 27705
- Phone: 919-489-3364
- Website: lemur.duke.edu
- Tour Info: Tours available by reservation only; plan ahead for spring and summer availability.
- Gift Shop: Open daily with lemur-themed souvenirs, books, and gifts.
Learn more about the Duke Lemur Center
Map
Plan Your Trip