Banana Bus, Close Chimps, and a Four-Wine Tasting: A Two-Hour Loop Through Project Chimps

On a rise above Morganton, Georgia, the Apes & Grapes Tour stitches two very different kinds of curiosity into a breezy afternoon. Project Chimps welcomes visitors at 2031 Lowery Rd, where a koi pond marks the practical meeting point for a ride on the Banana Bus. The sanctuary sits in the southern Blue Ridge foothills amid mixed hardwood forest, and the looped bus tour gives people front-row access to chimpanzees living in large, forested habitats. Tours are led by experienced volunteers — Steve, Malcom, Vickie, or Brandon — who combine operational detail with approachable stories about the animals and the property. The Banana Bus circles the sanctuary twice, once in each direction, so every seat has the chance to see who comes out of the treeline. Seating is casual and the vehicle is wheelchair accessible, equipped with a lift that accommodates up to two chairs. Chimps choose whether to approach, making encounters private and personal rather than staged. After the sanctuary loop you travel six minutes to Kerith House for a custom tasting of four wines, with additional selections available for purchase and time for more questions from your guide. Back at the sanctuary, guests can take advantage of more than six miles of trails that weave through oak, hickory, and rhododendron, or browse a compact gift shop. Those trails reveal the property’s geology — gentle ridges and shallow hollows characteristic of the foothills — and offer chances to spot regional birds and small mammals. Practical details matter: tours run rain or shine, and Project Chimps will issue refunds or reschedule for severe weather or travel advisories. Why book this hybrid itinerary? It’s unusual to pair wildlife observation with a calm, curated tasting at an estate close by; the contrast highlights both the sanctuary’s mission and the region’s hospitality economy. For families or mixed-ability groups, the low-impact bus tour plus optional hiking accommodates different energy levels without compromising the experience. The setting feels rural but is straightforward to reach from mountain towns and supports an organization centered on retired research chimpanzees and their long-term care. If you want quiet animal viewing, a casual wine tasting, and the option to extend your afternoon on well-kept forest trails, Apes & Grapes stitches them together with clear logistics and personable guides. The Banana Bus accommodates groups up to 10 and is wheelchair accessible with a built-in lift for two chairs. Tours typically last two hours, leaving time to stroll the koi pond and browse the gift shop. Bring sturdy shoes for optional trail time; guides welcome questions during the visit. Tours run in light rain, and severe closures receive a full refund or reschedule. Meeting point: 2031 Lowery Rd, Morganton, GA 30560.