Sent on a forced vacation to a five-star hotel, Dr. Dolittle learns from his pet monkey Chi-Chi that an epidemic has broken out among the animals in Africa. Together with Chi-Chi, he embarks on a journey to Africa aboard a tourist hot air balloon. The duo soon discovers that the epidemic is the work of the villainous robber Barm`o`Ley, who can deny nothing to his young daughter Lea. Barm`o`Ley kidnaps baby animals to stock his daughter’s private zoo. However, after meeting Dr. Dolittle, Lea begins to reconsider her attitude toward animals — and ultimately reforms her father, Barm`o`Ley.