In a house on the coast, Doktor Dolittle lives with a monkey, a little dog, a pig, a crocodile, a duck and a parrot. He knows the language of animals. A swallow flies to him and tells of a terrible disease among monkeys in distant Africa. Dolittle and his animals board a ship and begin a hilarious journey.

On his way inland, Dr. Dolittle and his animals encounter a nasty surprise. Natives capture them and hold them under lock and key.

Dr. Dolittle has arrived in the land of monkeys, where gorillas, orangutans, baboons and spiders await medical attention. But how can one do it alone? Luckily, the animals of the desert want to help.