How early should I arrive?

Guests are encouraged to arrive 30 minutes prior to your chosen tour slot for check-in and to receive your exact tour time.

Are chimpanzee sightings guaranteed?

Sightings are highly likely but not guaranteed; chimpanzees can choose to stay in forested areas and out of view.

Is the walking route wheelchair accessible?

The site is listed as wheelchair accessible, but some gravel roads and inclines may be challenging—contact staff if you need a cart tour slot.

Are restrooms available on the tour?

There are restrooms before tours, but no restrooms on the walking route; plan accordingly.

The event runs rain or shine as a fundraiser; there are no refunds for weather, so dress for conditions.

What does the VIP ticket include?

VIP includes early arrival, upfront parking, a Banana Bus driven tour, coffee and muffins during a Q&A with staff, indoor plumbing access, and event swag.

Discovery Days VIP: Meet Rescued Chimpanzees in Morganton’s Blue Ridge Sanctuary | Wildlife | Bus Tour

Discovery Days VIP at Project Chimps brings families to 2031 Lowery Rd, Morganton, GA 30560, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The event opens access to a working sanctuary where former research chimpanzees live within forested enclosures, and a guided tour turns a day trip into a close-up lesson in primate behavior and conservation. Come early as a VIP and you’ll climb aboard the Banana Bus for an intimate, driven circuit before the general crowd. Early arrival brings upfront parking, coffee, muffins, indoor plumbing, event swag, and a Q&A with chimp staff. Later, guests can join a walking tour, explore Discovery Zone booths, wander new hiking trails, or picnic beside the sanctuary’s koi pond. The terrain mixes gravel access roads, short steeps, and shady forest tracks; expect about sixty minutes of moderate hiking with rest stops. Trails run along oak and hickory stands and over Blue Ridge metamorphic bedrock, offering a sense of old mountains and close-in views of habitat. Chimpanzees have full choice to reveal themselves or slip into forest, so sightings are highly likely but never guaranteed. Practical notes matter: tickets are reserved by time window at check-in, tours group up to fifteen, and the event runs rain or shine as a fundraiser. Restrooms are available before tours; none on the walking route, so plan accordingly. If you or anyone in your party is unwell, staff asks that you reschedule to protect the chimps. Why this experience stands out is simple: it pairs accessible public engagement with active animal care. The sanctuary’s education focus, the Banana Bus’s up-close approach, and the Blue Ridge setting make for a day that feels both local and consequential, an opportunity to learn, linger, and support real conservation work. Meeting point: 2031 Lowery Rd, Morganton, GA 30560. Book the VIP slot to secure early access, or come for a general tour and still leave with stories of curious chimp faces, koi reflections, and forest quiet. Families appreciate the mix of classroom style interpretation and outdoor exploration; educators explain behavior, diet, and rescue histories while volunteers patrol trails. Accessibility is listed as wheelchair accessible, though sections of the route include grades that may challenge some visitors, so bring mobility planning and allow extra time. Photography rewards a patient eye: pond edges, forest clearings, and the Banana Bus lineup make strong frames. The experience doubles as a fundraiser, so vendor tables and community booths add local flavor. Whether you are curious about primates, arranging a child-friendly field trip, or seeking a meaningful way to spend a morning in the Blue Ridge, Discovery Days VIP offers a compact, well-run taste of sanctuary life, conservation education, and foothills walking that leaves you informed and connected.

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.