Discovery Days VIP: Meet Rescued Chimpanzees in Morganton’s Blue Ridge Sanctuary

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.