An orphaned baby chimpanzee rescued from poachers in Africa has taken a scenic flight to its new home — sitting on the pilot's lap.

Chimpanzee Mussa even "helped" adjust the plane's throttle during the flight, rescue organisation Lwiro Primates in the Democratic Republic of Congo said.

"People ask me why I didn't put Mussa in a cage during the flight," pilot Anthony Caere posted on his Instagram page.

"A baby needs hugs and compassion instead of being locked up in a cage during a stressful flight."

Apart from intestinal parasites that are being treated, Mussa is doing very well, Lwiro Primates told Storyful.