Philippines is definitely a beautiful country with a lot of tourists’ spots for visitors all over the world. Mostly, they visit spots such as lakes, beaches and other water bodies where Philippine’s nature is truly rich at. Other than that, there are more natural richness Philippines have. One of those is the Monfort Bat Cave. It is now a designated key eco-tourism site of the region.
The Island Garden City of Samal in Davao del Norte is home to around 90,000 people- and millions of bats. The world’s largest known population of Geoffrey’s Rousette fruit bats is found in the Monfort Bat Cave located in Barangay Tambo, Samal Island, near Davao City in southern Philippines. The Monfort Bat Cave was officially recognized by the Guinness World Record in 2010 as largest single colony of this kind! And Ranked #3 of 9 Attractions in Samal Island and a recipient of Certificate of Excellence 2014. Visitors from all over the world flock to visit and enjoy public bat-viewing at the Monfort Bat Cave.
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| Thousands of fruit bats in one of the cave's openings |
TRIVIA
The Geoffrey's rousette with scientific name Rousettus amplexicaudatus are found in tropical areas. They prefer lower elevations near coasts. This type of bats is one of the most common bats found throughout the Philippines. However, it is very evident that cave roosts are nowadays practically empty due to human disturbance except for Monfort Bat Cave where they are teeming with thousands of bats per available wall and ground areas of the small 265 ft. limestone cave.
TRAVEL NOTES
The Monfort Conservation Park Day Tours are open 8:00AM to 5:00PM, 7 days a week
- Adult tourist’s access fee will be equivalent to 100.00 Php
- 4 – 15-year-old tourists should prepare a 40.00 Php access fee
- Senior Citizens and adult students should bring their ID’s to avail a 20% discount. Senior Citizens will prepare 80.00 Php.
- 16-59-year-old adult students will pay 80.00 Php
- 4-15-year-old students will pay 32.00 Php only
- Cameras are prohibited during night tours to avoid startling/blinding the emerging bats
- Night tours are offered only on specific occasions and require 3 days in advance booking
- However, walk-in night tours may be pre-arranged before the park closes at 5:00PM
- To avoid disturbing the bats and the carrying capacity of the cave, it is limited to a maximum of 15 persons at a time only
HOW TO GET THERE
Manila to Davao
- Take a quick 1 hour 45-minute flight from Manila to Davao
- Select the best airline for you to have a safe and convenient trip
Davao to Samal Island
- From Davao City, take the bus to Samal Island and get off at Babak
- This will be a less than 2-hour trip so relax and enjoy the trip as you are getting nearer
Actually there are several ways that you may consider in getting to Samal Island. Check this detailed travel guide: Getting to Samal from Davao City by PinoyAdventurista.
Going to the Spot
- From Babak, take a single motorcycle (locally known as habal-habal) to Barangay Tambo where Monfort Bat Cave is located. You will arrive within at least 12 minutes
- Don’t worry; all Samal folks and habal-habal drivers know the place
Monfort Bat Cave and Conservation Foundation (MBCCF), Inc.
Sitio Dunggas, Barangay Tambo, Babak District,
Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte
web: http://www.monfortbatsanctuary.org/
fb: https://www.facebook.com/MonfortBatSanctuary/
email:admin@monfortbatsanctuary.org
tel. numbers: (082) 286-6958, (082) 234-7958
mobile phones: +639177054295, +639209693299
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