Calauit Safari: A Glimpse of Africa

Calauit Island is an African Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary in Coron, Palawan which features an array of dazzling 15 giraffes, 15 zebras, 11 gazelles, 18 impalas, 12 waterbucks, 11 elands, 10 topis, 12 bushbucks and other African wildlife taken to the country. It is also dubbed as the Philippine version of African Safari. It was President Marcos who declared the island as a game preserve and wildlife sanctuary under the Presidential Proclamation No. 1578 on August 31, 1976. The sanctuary has a total land area of approximately 3,760 hectares.

According to the scientists, zebras are black with white stripes.

Porcupines

Calamian deer, which is endemic to Calamianes, Coron, Palawan.

These African animals comprising of eight species was arrived on March 4, 1977 in the island from Kenya, Africa by MV Salvador ship. Calauit Island is located at northwest corner of Coron, the mainland of Calamianes, Northern, Palawan.

To make a trip to Calauit Safari Park you need to arrange your tour in Coron’s Tourism Office because trips to the island is scheduled only. In our case we made it 2 days prior to the scheduled trip. But you can also arrange your trip in tour agencies in the town proper. There are two ways to get to the island, either via boat which is 4 hours journey with island hopping or via van which is 3.5 hours land travel. You need to be at the Island as early as 8 o’clock in the morning to have a chance to feed the giraffes.

Venice, Lorie and I opted to get the tour package via sea for P2500 with inclusion of round trip van transfer from hotel to port, round trip boat transfer from Coron to Calauit, breakfast, entrance fee and registration fee to Caluit Safari Park, truck ride, tour guide, lunch at the Black Island, snorkeling at Coral Garden and ship wreck. It is a whole day tour package.

As we landed to the sanctuary, we bounced into the truck and started our safari tour. Herds of endearing calamian deer welcomed us, from the other side towering giraffes displayed their elegance and grace with their long neck dancing in the air, modest zebras afar are more reserved. With all the residents of the sanctuary, giraffes are the most welcoming for they followed our truck while in motion; they knew that we have something for them, freshly gathered shrubberies.

Overall, it was fun filled experience for all of us specially the feeding of giraffes, definitely the highlight of our tour. We got an opportunity to interact with these gentle giants up close, they are such a sweet and lovely creatures.

Here's our itinerary in our Whole Day Calauit Safari Tour Package:

3:45 am: van transfer to port

4:00 am - 8:00 am: boat transfer to the Calauit Island (breakfast by 6:00 am)

8:00 am: ETA Calauit Safari

8:15 am - 9:30: Calauit Safari Tour

10:30 am - 1:00pm: Black Island (lunch by 11am and snorkeling afterwards)

3:00 pm: Coral Garden, snorkeling

3:30 pm: Ship Wreck, snorkeling

5:00 pm: ETA Coron port

Contact details:
Dolores Basbas Travel & Tours (Calauit Safari Tour Package)
- 09087293617 & 09183355204

Note: During the feeding of giraffes, guest are not allowed to get out of the truck.

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