At first glance, there’s nothing odd about giraffes and zebras in the Philippines.
We do, after all, have zoos.
But finding them free to roam on their own “private” island in one of the remotest corners of the country?
Now that’s bizarre.
In today’s blog post, I’ll go over everything you need to know about Calauit Safari including:
- How the animals got there
- Where it is and how you can visit
- FAQs about this strange place (and its controversies!)
And then I’ll close off by talking about whether or not it’s worth it to visit.
So buckle up, because we’re about to explore Calauit Safari!
Visiting Coron soon? Check out my travel guide for tips, and tourist spots post for ideas!
All You Need to Know About Calauit Safari
Calauit is an isolated island on the western shores of Busuanga.
On it, you’ll find giraffes, zebras, Calamian deer, and antelopes roaming around freely.
These animals (except the Calamian deer) first arrived here from Africa in the 1970s, during Ferdinand Marco’s time as president.
The original giraffes, zebras, and antelopes died off eventually. And the animals on the island now are actually their grandchildren – how bizarre is that!
The Calauit Safari experience itself is quite simple.
When you arrive at the island, you’ll stay at a welcome hall, waiting for your tour “jeep” to arrive.
Once you hop in, they’ll take you to the island’s interior to see the animals…
Calauit Giraffes
There are around 27 giraffes in Calauit. And with new babies around, this number could grow to a lot more.
The first stop of the tour is feeding the giraffes.
Funny thing is, you’ll be the one inside the cage when doing this! Talk about reversing the roles 😂
The giraffes are friendly enough. But the cage is a precaution since one kick from these animals can cause serious injury.
This is a great time to get up close with the giraffes, and maybe snap a few souvenir photos.
Once the branches are finished, it’s back to the tour jeep to look for the zebras.
Calauit Zebras
There are around 34 zebras in Calauit.
There’s no feeding session for the zebras because these animals tend to bite.
Instead, you’ll be brought to the area where zebras like to hang out. If you’re lucky, they’ll be curious and come to check you out.
Important Note: Avoid touching the animals! Your guides will make sure to keep you at a safe distance. But if the animals approach you, try as much as possible to stay out of the way.
Calamian Deer
Calamian deer are endemic to these islands. But it’s still nice to find them in such big numbers in a wildlife reserve.
You’ll find them milling around almost wherever you look.
They seem to get along really well with the giraffes and zebras too.
You might even witness a deer fight!
Calauit Antelopes
Calauit’s antelopes were thought to have died off a few years ago. However, there have been several sightings of them recently.
These creatures are very shy, so they run away whenever there are humans around.
We were extremely lucky to have seen them as our tour jeep was heading from the zebra area toward the mini zoo!
Speaking of mini zoo…
Calauit Mini Zoo Animals
Porcupines, turtles, civets, a crocodile, a snake, monkeys, and other common Philippine animals make up the Calauit mini zoo.
If you’re from the Philippines, you’ve probably seen all these animals before.
But the Calauit guides can tell you a LOT of interesting things you didn’t know about them.
There are also plenty of trees and sitting places in the zoo area, so this is a great place to take a rest.
The last stop before heading back is the wild boar’s pen.
Interesting, but not quite as spectacular as the giraffes and zebras just roaming around.
All in all, the whole tour takes about an hour to an hour and a half.
How to Get to Calauit Safari
The only plausible way to get to Calauit Safari is to join a tour! Calauit Safari tours start at php2,500 per head (or php2,300 if you book here).
Calauit Safari is found on the western tip of Busuanga, about 2 hours and 15 minutes away from Coron Town (2 hours by road, 15 minutes by boat).
This makes it difficult to get here without booking a tour.
Most tours will include lunch at Busuanga town, followed by a trip to Black Island (a white sand island with a cave and a shipwreck).
We used Millenial Travel and Tours when we visited. They had brochures at the airport, and we just called their number. Alternatively, you can also find these tours for cheaper on booking sites like Klook.
Calauit Safari FAQs
How Did the Animals Get to Calauit?
By boat! During president Marco’s term in the 1970s, he brought in giraffes, zebras, and antelopes from Kenya.
Why Were the Animals Brought to Calauit?
President Marcos, who brought the animals to Calauit, said this was done to aid with conservation.
However, anyone who knows Philippine politics knows that Marcos is a very controversial figure 😂
That’s why plenty of critics claim that the animals were brought in for more selfish reasons.
Who Owns Calauit Safari?
Today, Calauit Island is owned by the native Tagbanwa people, and the wildlife reserve is run by the Provincial Government of Palawan as an eco-tourism spot.
By visiting Calauit Safari, you’ll be supporting the conservation of the animals, and helping the caretakers as well!
Why is Calauit Safari Controversial?
The controversies surrounding Calauit have to do with Marcos removing the inhabitants of Calauit to make way for the safari in the 70s, the inbreeding of the animals today, and the problems of coexisting with people.
There’s no arguing that natives were relocated from Calauit to make way for the safari. Whether this was done peacefully or forcefully is where the controversy comes in!
The other controversies with Calauit have to do with the survival of the animals now.
Yes, they have reproduced successfully.
But there are concerns over how long they can survive with this inbreeding.
Finally, several people have settled back in Calauit, and this has caused some clashes with the animals.
Giraffes eat farmer’s crops, people poach the antelopes, etc.
There are plenty of problems that aren’t being addressed properly!
Do I Need a Tour to Visit Calauit Safari?
Yes! Visiting Calauit is very difficult without a tour. Tours start at php2,499/head including a side trip to Black Island.
We used Millenial Travel and Tours when we visited, but you can also find these tours for cheaper on booking sites like Klook.
Do I Need to Book in Advance to Visit Calauit Safari?
It’s better to book in advance, especially if you’re visiting on Saturday, Sunday, or Monday (since some offices are closed on the weekends).
However, don’t stress!
We didn’t book until the day before we left, and didn’t have any problems.
What Are the Animals on Calauit Safari?
Calauit Safari has giraffes, zebras, antelopes, and Calamian deer free to roam. While the wild boars are kept in pens.
In their mini zoo, they have porcupines, turtles, civets, a crocodile, a snake, monkeys, and other common Philippine animals
How Far is Calauit From Coron?
Calauit is roughly 40km from Coron. Getting there takes 2 hours by van, and another 15 minutes by boat!
Conclusion: Should You Visit Calauit Safari?
I usually end these by saying a resounding YES!
But for Calauit, you might have some reservations.
The travel is far.
The tours are expensive.
The place is somewhat controversial.
And there are other better things to do in Coron anyway (such as visiting Twin Lagoon and Kayangan Lake, climbing Mt Tapyas, or dipping in Maquinit Hot Spring).
But if you’re up for visiting one of the most bizarre islands in the Philippines, then it’s a definite yes!
Plus, if you care about the animals, visiting helps support the park and the conservation of the “misplaced” giraffes, zebras, and antelopes.
That’s why I visited!
Plus, you also get to visit Black Island, which is a VERY underrated destination!
Looking for more travel tips for Coron? Check out my travel guide here. You can also check out my Coron Tourist Spots blog posts for more ideas!