The design and maintenance of the enclosure must be safe for both animals and personnel. The enclosure must provide shelter against adverse weather conditions. It must be possible to maintain the enclosure in a hygienic state. For a single baboon, a minimum size of 3 x 3 m for the exercise section and 2 x 3 m for the night room is acceptable. The exercise area must face north in the southern hemisphere and south in the northern hemisphere.
Primates enjoy sunlight, especially on cold days.
Two enclosures of the same size can be built next to one another with a common middle wall. A sliding door can be used to allow the animals to be moved into alternate enclosures for cleaning purposes. The common wall should be solid to prevent unfamiliar baboons in adjacent enclosures from making contact with each other and fighting. The upper night room roof is made of normal roofing material, such as corrugated iron or asbestos sheets. This roof should slope away from the open section so that rainwater runs off the roof to the outside of the enclosure.