Is the Banana Bus wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The bus includes a built-in lift and two wheelchair spaces; let the Event Coordinator know at booking if you need lift assistance.

Where does the bus pick up guests?

Door-to-door pickup is available at hotels, RV campgrounds, resorts, and state parks in Fannin, Union, and Gilmer counties, or groups can meet at designated South State Bank or Chamber Visitor Centers.

How many people can ride the Banana Bus?

The Banana Bus holds up to twelve guests—10 in standard seats and 2 in wheelchair spaces.

What is included during the visit?

The 3–4 hour outing includes round-trip transport, a guided tour with stop at The Nest for chimp viewing, time for the gift shop, and a complimentary banana snack.

When does the Banana Bus run?

The service routinely operates on Tuesdays and Saturdays; to request another day, email the Event Coordinator at events@projectchimps.org.

Can we hike at Project Chimps?

Yes. If you choose to drive to the sanctuary you can hike the on-site trails before or after the tour from the parking lot.

Banana Bus to Project Chimps: Accessible Group Tours & Prime Chimp Viewing in Morganton, GA

Adventure Brief

Skip the driving and ride the Banana Bus to Project Chimps for a 3–4 hour guided visit with prime chimp viewing, accessible transport, and a behind-the-scenes look at sanctuary care. Perfect for retreats, groups, and visitors who need mobility-friendly options.

3–4 hours

easy

From $1,017.00

Board the Banana Bus for a three- to four-hour excursion to Project Chimps, a hands-on sanctuary experience in Morganton, Georgia. Meeting point and sanctuary address: 2031 Lowery Rd, Morganton, GA 30560. Designed for groups, retreats and visitors who need mobility support, the Banana Bus provides door-to-door transport (recommended pickup 10:00–10:30 a.m.), an on-board guide, and an escorted tour of the chimp habitats.

The ride is part shuttle, part storytelling hour: your guide outlines Project Chimps’ mission and the layout of the habitat while you travel through the patchwork farmland and hardwood ridges of the southern Appalachian foothills. At the sanctuary you’ll be invited to disembark at The Nest — a raised viewing platform and gathering area — where keepers time feedings and enrichment so groups get prime chimp viewing. After observing the troop in their outdoor habitat, the itinerary leaves time to browse the gift shop and enjoy the signature banana snack handed out to visitors.

Practical details matter here. The Banana Bus carries up to twelve guests—ten in standard seats plus two wheelchair spaces—and includes a built-in lift for up to two chairs. Door-to-door service is available for hotels, RV campgrounds, resorts, and state parks in Fannin, Union, and Gilmer counties; Project Chimps can also meet groups at designated South State Bank or Chamber Visitor Centers. If road logistics prevent direct pickup, the team will propose a nearby safe meeting spot. The bus most often runs on Tuesdays and Saturdays; to arrange an alternate day, contact the Event Coordinator at [email protected].

What makes this outing special is the combination of accessibility and intimacy: small groups, deliberate scheduling, and a sanctuary-designed route put animals and visitors on the same page without crowding. The setting—mixed oak-hardwood forest and rolling ridgelines—reinforces the feeling of a quiet refuge where care, not performance, shapes every interaction. Guests who want more can arrive early or stay late to hike the sanctuary trails from the on-site parking lot.

During the drive you’ll pass through farmland, flowing creeks, and stands of tulip poplar and hickory, a landscape shaped by folded sedimentary rock of the southern Appalachians. Guides use that stretch to introduce sanctuary practices, enrichment routines, and how visitors can minimize disturbance. Small additions—hand sanitizer stations, shaded benches at The Nest, and clear sightlines for binoculars—make the visit comfortable for mixed-ability groups. Larger parties can request private chimp viewing windows when booking to create a more contemplative encounter too.

This tour is ideal for workplace retreats, family celebrations, accessibility-minded groups, or anyone seeking a meaningful, low-impact wildlife encounter outside typical tourist hubs. It’s a compact, thoughtfully curated way to spend a morning in the Georgia mountains while supporting sanctuary work and leaving the driving to someone else.

About Project Chimps

Project Chimps in Troutdale, Virginia operates a sanctuary and education site where visitors meet and observe rescued chimpanzees.

The organization offers a range of guided experiences designed for families, schools, homeschool groups, scouts, and supporters. Tour options include short youth group tours, curriculum-based and homeschool programs aligned with STEM learning, scout badge workshops, and longer service projects for scout troops.

Supporter tours and private visits provide opportunities to watch chimpanzees roam, play, and rest in outdoor habitats. Discovery Days bring families to the Blue Ridge Mountains for guided hikes, a visit to the Discovery Zone, and a picnic by the koi pond. The Banana Bus Tour adds door-to-door transport and a snack at The Nest for a convenient group outing.

School field trips and curriculum-based tours emphasize inquiry-based lessons that meet educational standards and take place during prime morning viewing hours. Homeschool programs offer three to four hour visits with tailored STEM activities and flexible customization for teachers and students. Scout programs include two hour badge workshops and four to seven hour service projects that combine tours, hands-on activities, and habitat or garden work.

Every visit supports the ongoing care of the chimpanzees through small donations and participation. Booking options include private supporter tours, supporter tours with a lunch launch, and group-focused experiences that accommodate educational goals. Visitors can expect guided walking tours through outdoor habitats and multiple program lengths to fit schedules. Advance reservations are recommended to secure preferred dates and times for school groups, scouts, families, supporters, and community attendees.