Calauit Wildlife Sanctuary
Calauit Wildlife Sanctuary
Calauit Wildlife Sanctuary
3.5
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3.5
130 reviews
Excellent
44
Very good
43
Average
19
Poor
11
Terrible
13
nickz04
Santa Clara, CA21 contributions
May 2019
I went here in January of 2019. I do not like seeing animals in captivity. I asked how come the status of the zoo is very poor and I was told that it is because whoever is running it or was running it is no longer taking care of it, meaning they have no money.
I felt really sad for the animals that were in that zoo. The zebra and giraffe were amazing but that's about it. I hope they would just release the other animals to better-funded zoo.
Never again would I go here.
They need better management.
I felt really sad for the animals that were in that zoo. The zebra and giraffe were amazing but that's about it. I hope they would just release the other animals to better-funded zoo.
Never again would I go here.
They need better management.
Written 24 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mikayla p
10 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
Not a sanctuary!
I feel so bad that I paid to visit this place to profite the "zoo"
The place is very poorly run, dry dirt, hardly any greenery as pictured. The giraffes were probably the only animals cared for, as they profit from giraffe feeding.
The zebras looked sad and scared. Then the worse part came, we saw the caged animals including our Aussie beloved crocodile which was caged in a concrete cell about 1 metre long with no food or water. The monkeys were caged and were trying to sick water out of an empty pipe. I had to give them some of my water.
It really hurt my heart and I left very sad.
The tour guide hit a dog on the way in and almost killed a local family on a bike.
I feel so bad that I paid to visit this place to profite the "zoo"
The place is very poorly run, dry dirt, hardly any greenery as pictured. The giraffes were probably the only animals cared for, as they profit from giraffe feeding.
The zebras looked sad and scared. Then the worse part came, we saw the caged animals including our Aussie beloved crocodile which was caged in a concrete cell about 1 metre long with no food or water. The monkeys were caged and were trying to sick water out of an empty pipe. I had to give them some of my water.
It really hurt my heart and I left very sad.
The tour guide hit a dog on the way in and almost killed a local family on a bike.
Written 31 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Freedom621418
2 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
Go visit and enjoy the animals. I too didn’t like the caged animals so much but even the best zoos have cages. As far as animal care, the locals do the best they can given the training and funding (or lack thereof). I was told they don’t even have vets to check on the animals. Come on Bong Bong! Take care of your dad’s animals.
Anyhow, if you are in Palawan, go visit the black islands and the animals of calauit. I’m hoping the money you spend there helps the locals who in turn will take better care of the animals. Let them know some of the animals could use better care and living spaces—donate money while you’re at it. Judging the facilities, it doesn’t look like they get any funding from the government.
Anyhow, if you are in Palawan, go visit the black islands and the animals of calauit. I’m hoping the money you spend there helps the locals who in turn will take better care of the animals. Let them know some of the animals could use better care and living spaces—donate money while you’re at it. Judging the facilities, it doesn’t look like they get any funding from the government.
Written 13 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cm7234
London, UK24 contributions
Jul 2015 • Couples
How this place can call itself a sanctuary is beyond me. Started off ok feeding giraffes was fun although several of them had gaping open wounds.
Next we were shown a concrete tub containing several young crocodiles, the owner told us that when they are 1 year old they are skinned for handbags.
Then we were shown some turtles which had a nice enclosure but we were then told that they would be used for medicine. Here we witnessed other visitors placing turtles on their backs and laughing at them and taking pictures. The owner seemed amused by this.
Next we were shown 3 snakes. All of which were in concrete bottomed cages- no branches or hiding places. 2 of the snakes were so underweight their skin was baggy. They were covered in ticks and their faces were badly deformed and injured from the metal mesh cages.
Next were 3 animals I can't remember the name of but a nocturnal cat like animals which were in tiny prison like cages in the sun with no hiding places. The animals looked desperately unhappy.
Finally was the monkeys. Imprisoned in mesh cages and the saddest part was a wild monkey on top of the cage reaching its arms in desperate for its family to be released. The owner tormented the monkeys aggressively it was awful to see. Also in the monkey cage was a beautiful eagle, alone.
We left the safari wishing we had never gone. If animal abuse upsets you please do not go here!
Next we were shown a concrete tub containing several young crocodiles, the owner told us that when they are 1 year old they are skinned for handbags.
Then we were shown some turtles which had a nice enclosure but we were then told that they would be used for medicine. Here we witnessed other visitors placing turtles on their backs and laughing at them and taking pictures. The owner seemed amused by this.
Next we were shown 3 snakes. All of which were in concrete bottomed cages- no branches or hiding places. 2 of the snakes were so underweight their skin was baggy. They were covered in ticks and their faces were badly deformed and injured from the metal mesh cages.
Next were 3 animals I can't remember the name of but a nocturnal cat like animals which were in tiny prison like cages in the sun with no hiding places. The animals looked desperately unhappy.
Finally was the monkeys. Imprisoned in mesh cages and the saddest part was a wild monkey on top of the cage reaching its arms in desperate for its family to be released. The owner tormented the monkeys aggressively it was awful to see. Also in the monkey cage was a beautiful eagle, alone.
We left the safari wishing we had never gone. If animal abuse upsets you please do not go here!
Written 3 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cynthia J
Koh Tao, Thailand149 contributions
Nov 2016 • Solo
I really wanted to rate this more highly, but as a trained ecologist, I can't. I'm fine with the African animals being in the Philippines. That's all good. The giraffes and zebras are really cool, and when the trip began and we fed the giraffes and observed the zebras, having been told to keep a respectful distance, I was reminded of the wonderful time I had at Elephant Nature Park in Thailand. I was having an awesome time! Until the tour continued to the other animals. A baby crocodile in a tiny tank... whom tourists were allowed to pick up for photos, despite the animal clearly being stressed. One tourist started shaking and wiggling the croc around and was not reprimanded. There were many different animals in tiny dirty cramped cages with barely any water, shade, or stimulation. Tourists were allowed to feed biscuits and other junk food to the monkeys, and the whole thing was quite depressing.
I understand that the level of awareness and education is different here. I also know that the animals need tourists to visit to provide funds for their upkeep, and I believe the keepers and guides do their best. But the conditions many of these animals are kept in are simply inhumane so I cannot in good conscience recommend this attraction, until steps are taken to improve the living conditions of the animals.
I understand that the level of awareness and education is different here. I also know that the animals need tourists to visit to provide funds for their upkeep, and I believe the keepers and guides do their best. But the conditions many of these animals are kept in are simply inhumane so I cannot in good conscience recommend this attraction, until steps are taken to improve the living conditions of the animals.
Written 25 November 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sam
London, UK98 contributions
Jan 2016 • Solo
The African fauna have no place in the Philippines in my opinion. Whilst it was a privilege to see them and get so close. They also have a small zoo accommodating various endemic species and a Burmese python that needed a home.
In my view a lot of the wildlife in cages should be let loose back into their natural habitat. As many would live happily and do on the island itself. I understand its an education tool too for showing people the wildlife of the Philippines but also I see it as a prison.
The African fauna are all inbred and this will not bode well in the long run. It would be better in my view to give the snip to all the males so they can not breed anymore and then just let them die off naturally. Failing that I would support the cull of the animals there as there is no future for them and the animals are too inbred to be taking back to their native continent, Africa.
There are a group of freshwater turtles there that were 'rescued', but they could also easily be returned to the wild. So they should be.
Also they are breeding the Philippine crocodile here, which I guess is a nice bit of conservation work, and I was told there were plans to release them to the wild when they have enough offspring. Their enclosures were ok, but not great.
Also when I was there a few days before someone had cut off one of the giraffes tails for some reason :O. So it added to my thoughts that one way or another these African mammals have to go, one way or another.
However the places we went to after this this place were beautiful and I saw an amazing sea turtle in the coral garden reef. Also we saw dolphins from the boat en route and I saw a Philippine sea eagle on the way back.
In my view a lot of the wildlife in cages should be let loose back into their natural habitat. As many would live happily and do on the island itself. I understand its an education tool too for showing people the wildlife of the Philippines but also I see it as a prison.
The African fauna are all inbred and this will not bode well in the long run. It would be better in my view to give the snip to all the males so they can not breed anymore and then just let them die off naturally. Failing that I would support the cull of the animals there as there is no future for them and the animals are too inbred to be taking back to their native continent, Africa.
There are a group of freshwater turtles there that were 'rescued', but they could also easily be returned to the wild. So they should be.
Also they are breeding the Philippine crocodile here, which I guess is a nice bit of conservation work, and I was told there were plans to release them to the wild when they have enough offspring. Their enclosures were ok, but not great.
Also when I was there a few days before someone had cut off one of the giraffes tails for some reason :O. So it added to my thoughts that one way or another these African mammals have to go, one way or another.
However the places we went to after this this place were beautiful and I saw an amazing sea turtle in the coral garden reef. Also we saw dolphins from the boat en route and I saw a Philippine sea eagle on the way back.
Written 13 February 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
may_onvacation
Zurich, Switzerland103 contributions
Apr 2019 • Family
We visited the Calauit Sanctuary because we thought it would be great to see Girafes and Zebras walking around free and indeed this was quite nice and exciting. But then they showed us something they call the zoo and we were shocked and so sad to see the crocodiles and other animals in such small cages. The python was gigantic and when we asked if she‘s pregnant, the guide said that she was fat because she doesn‘t have enough space to move around. People were feeding the monkeys with chips, chocolate and other sweets and nobody from the stuff cared. We also payed for using the safari bus there... it turned out that it was a short two minutes ride and it‘s ridicoulous to pay for it. I can‘t reccommend going there.
Written 8 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peppale P
Davao City, Philippines19 contributions
May 2018 • Family
My family and I decided to go to Calauit Wildlife Sanctuary since we have a toddler that would definitely love to see a couple of animals.
It was an hour and a half van ride to get there plus 5-10 minutes of boat ride to get to the island itself.
You have to start early because it gets really hot at 9 am already.
There was not much to see other than zebras and giraffes though. Yes, there were wild boars, deers, etc but other than that, that was just it.
It would have been better if they made a walkway for the tourists so that we can be guided through the wildlife sanctuary if they can’t provide a transportation inside the sanctuary. The jeep that the guide was talking about wasn’t working and there were a lot of tourists that had to walk while we were there. I didn’t have a problem with walking but what about those groups who had seniors and small children in tow?
It’s a bit disappointing that the wildlife sanctuary wasn’t given much attention, despite the many tourists that are going there daily. And also, as per the guide, they don’t have a resident veterinarian inside so the staff will have to tend to the health of the animals too. I commend the staff for giving there best but the animals need a professional veterinarian for their health to be at their very best.
I hope the management and our government does a better job with the maintenance and also for the betterment of the place. After all, it’s one of the tourist places in Coron.
It was an hour and a half van ride to get there plus 5-10 minutes of boat ride to get to the island itself.
You have to start early because it gets really hot at 9 am already.
There was not much to see other than zebras and giraffes though. Yes, there were wild boars, deers, etc but other than that, that was just it.
It would have been better if they made a walkway for the tourists so that we can be guided through the wildlife sanctuary if they can’t provide a transportation inside the sanctuary. The jeep that the guide was talking about wasn’t working and there were a lot of tourists that had to walk while we were there. I didn’t have a problem with walking but what about those groups who had seniors and small children in tow?
It’s a bit disappointing that the wildlife sanctuary wasn’t given much attention, despite the many tourists that are going there daily. And also, as per the guide, they don’t have a resident veterinarian inside so the staff will have to tend to the health of the animals too. I commend the staff for giving there best but the animals need a professional veterinarian for their health to be at their very best.
I hope the management and our government does a better job with the maintenance and also for the betterment of the place. After all, it’s one of the tourist places in Coron.
Written 3 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lesly D
Surrey, Canada492 contributions
Jan 2017
I was excited about viewing African animals on their own island in the Philippines, and hoped the experience wouldn't be a tourist trap. I took a tour from Coron, which also included an island hopping boat ride, so it was a very long day starting at 0430 and ending about 1800. However, i thought it was an excellent tour for 2,500 pesos. To get to Caluit Island we drove to the north end of the main island, then took a 10 minute boat ride to Caluit Island, where we were met by a guide. The animals were roaming freely and we could walk among them as long as we didn't get too close. They obviously were used to people and were not skittish. Although there are eight African animals on the island, the obvious ones were zebras and giraffes. There were perhaps a dozen giraffes roaming the area as well as maybe 20 zebras. The setting looked authentic, like something you might see in Africa, and it was magical to get so close to these wild animals. At one point we were all placed in a wire enclosure with food to feed the giraffes. Seeing the food, most of them ambled over and stuck their necks over the fence to nibble the leaves. A couple young girls in the group were absolutely thrilled by this. For the island hopping portion of the tour we took a 40 minute boat ride to two very small islands with gorgeous yellow sand beaches that also had excellent snorkeling. Breakfast and lunch were provided with the tour. I think this tour is fun and excellent value for the price.
Written 8 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sissyart
Metro Manila, Philippines3 contributions
Jun 2017 • Family
We visited this place last June 2, 2017. The woman at the reception was charging us Php1k for riding their dilapidated jeepney safari. Though we are willing to pay if she could provide us an official receipt in return. We just wanted to make sure that the money we're paying will go straight to the safari coffers. Unfortunately, she could only present an acknowledgment receipt so we refused to settle the said amount. After awhile, the tour guide approached me and in a whispering voice and that he was giving me a discount of Php300 so i should only gave them 700 instead. Still i was insisting for the official receipt but they could not provide any. I asked how come they could not issue an official receipt for the jeepney ride. And they replied that the jeep safari is owned by a private individual. A private individual that they refused to named. Obviously, there was a shady transactions going on in this place. People here are abusive and are just out to make money and exploit the tourists. Please do not visit this place. You will only felt sad for the animals esp. the giraffes it feels like they do not belong in this neglected place.
Written 16 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hey :) Do you guys recommend the Calauit Safari in Coron please? If yes, which booking agency did you use?
Written 3 December 2018
Hi! Yes, if your a nature lover go there, you dont need a booking agency, just go to the town centre and ask where to pay for the Calauit Safari Entrance Fee. Around 200peso. Its near the tourist information Centre, there is an old building, no signs, just try to ask people around, thats what we did :) enjoy :)
Written 3 January 2019
We’ll be going there on Saturday, but availed of renting a van rather than getting packaged tours. Has anyone visited Calauit Safari on a Saturday? Any tips on how do we get tickets? Is the office open on Saturdays? Thanks!
Written 17 April 2018
They are there on saturdays. Sunday closed I believe. Once you are escorted across the lagoon you’ll be right at the ticket office, sign the book pay your fee and it’s a short walk in
Written 17 April 2018
NatureLover710
Pasig, Philippines
From Barangay Guadalupe in Coron, how many hours to get there by land, by boat??
How much do we have to pay?
Written 24 May 2016
How do I travel to the wildlife sanctuary fro Cruise ship terminal
Written 16 April 2016
Atyz84
Singapore, Singapore
Hi,
Good day to you.
I am interested in visiting Calauit Safari. Do you have any good recommendation for resorts nearby who can provide land transfer from Airport to Resorts and from Resorts to Calauit Safari?
Hope to receive your reply soon!
Cheers!
Written 26 February 2015
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