Drill Ranch Afi Mountain

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Drills are one of Africa’s most endangered primates, and here is the only place in the world to see natural-sized captive drill groups in natural habitat. The founders of our drill groups were recovered as orphans after their nursing mothers were illegally shot for bushmeat. We have rehabilitated over 75 lone drills into 6 social groups, now bearing a new generation – over 250 drills have been born at the project. There are 5 drill groups, each in their own electric fenced enclosure, powered by our solar energy system. The enclosures can be reached down different winding paths through the forest; the largest enclosure perimeter is nearly a kilometer around.

Drill Ranch also provides a lifelong home for orphan chimpanzees, and our busy chimpanzee group can be seen in their forest enclosure. Please keep in mind when you visit the chimps’ enclosure that you are not only coming to see them but, more importantly, you are coming for them to have a look at you! If you are not entertaining them, they will soon let you know, so please follow instructions from the staff carefully. You will soon wonder which side of the fence you are standing on….

There is plenty to keep you busy at Drill Ranch. In addition to seeing the animals there are beautiful walks in the rain forest to the canopy walkway (see below), and beyond to the pools and waterfalls of the Bano River coming straight off the mountain, making a very refreshing dip. Our demonstration tree nursery illustrates agroforestry techniques, and various native & fruit tree seedlings are for sale.

Some of our guests enjoy visiting our nearest villages - Buanchor and Katabang - each just about 5 km from camp. Visitors will find the villages very friendly and excellent palm wine is available at the right time of year.

There are 6 guest cabins at Drill Ranch, each with a private deck and view of the mountain, looming above the largest drill enclosure. The cabins are fully screened but open to the air on all four sides. From your comfortable bed you can watch the drills climbing up to 35 meters in the trees. Guests are charged on a per person, per night basis, regardless of the number of cabins or beds used. There are rollaway beds for children which can be prepared in any cabin. Bedding and towels are provided. Cooking is in a shared facility with Drill Ranch senior staff that live in camp. All cooking utensils are provided, and all guests must bring their own food and drinking water. Warm beer and soft drinks are available from the nearby villages. There is also a place to camp and we are developing a site for overland trucks to set up

www.pandrillus.org/projects/drill-ranch/visitor-informa...