Calauit Safari Park: African Giraffes on a Palawan Island

Calauit Safari Park sits on a 3,700-hectare island off the north coast of Busuanga, in the municipality of Calauit, Palawan. In 1976 the Philippine government accepted a request from the International Union for Conservation of Nature to provide a refuge for African wildlife threatened by drought and civil unrest. Eight giraffes, eleven zebras, and several other species were shipped from Kenya and released on the island. Nearly five decades later, the descendants of those original animals still roam the grasslands and lowland forests of Calauit, making it one of the strangest and most memorable wildlife experiences in the Philippines.

This guide covers everything a 2026 traveler needs: how to get there from Coron town, current entrance fees, what the safari tour actually looks like, where to stay, and the ethical questions that surround the park. We have kept prices in Philippine pesos and verified them against the most recent municipal and provincial advisories.

Where Is Calauit Safari Park

Calauit Island is part of the Calamian Islands group in northern Palawan. It falls under the jurisdiction of the municipality of Busuanga, not Coron proper, although most tourists base themselves in Coron because the town has more hotels, dive shops, and tour operators. The island is roughly 70 kilometers by road from Coron town proper to the jump-off point at Salvacion, followed by a 20-minute boat ride to the park pier.

The park itself is managed by the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) and the local government of Busuanga. It is not a fenced zoo. The animals move freely across a large area of savanna-like grassland, secondary forest, and mangrove fringe. You will not find them lined up behind a fence waiting for photos.

How to Get to Calauit from Coron

There are two main ways to reach Calauit from Coron town. The first is the combined land-and-sea route, which is cheaper and the one most budget travelers use. The second is a direct boat charter from Coron, which is faster but significantly more expensive.

Option 1: Land Route via Salvacion

From Coron town, hire a van or join a shared jeepney heading to Salvacion pier. The drive takes about two and a half to three hours on a mix of paved and gravel roads. Travel time depends heavily on weather; during the wet season from June to October, sections of the road can become muddy and slow. At Salvacion, you hire a small outrigger boat for the 20-minute crossing to Calauit Island. Once you arrive at the pier, a park ranger meets your group and collects the entrance fees.

A shared jeepney ticket from Coron to Salvacion costs around PHP 350 per person one way. A private van charter for up to 10 passengers runs about PHP 3,500 to PHP 4,500 one way. The boat from Salvacion to Calauit costs roughly PHP 1,500 to PHP 2,000 per boat, round trip, split among passengers.

Option 2: Direct Boat Charter from Coron

If you want to skip the long drive, you can charter a boat directly from Coron's Lualhati Park or one of the tour operator piers. The crossing takes about three to four hours depending on sea conditions and costs PHP 12,000 to PHP 18,000 for a full-day charter that usually includes stops at nearby islands like Black Island or Pass Island. This option makes sense if you are traveling with a group of six to eight people and want to combine Calauit with island-hopping.

Calauit Safari Park Entrance Fees for 2026

The following fees were confirmed with the Busuanga Tourism Office and the PCSD for the 2026 season. Prices are per person unless noted.

• Filipino adult entrance: PHP 300
• Filipino student or senior with ID: PHP 150
• Foreign adult entrance: PHP 600
• Foreign child (under 12): PHP 300
• Truck or jeep tour inside the park: PHP 500 per vehicle (good for up to 8 passengers)
• Guide fee: PHP 300 per group (mandatory)
• Environmental fee (one-time for Busuanga): PHP 150

Payment is collected at the park office near the pier. Bring cash. There is no ATM on the island and mobile signal is unreliable.

What the Safari Tour Is Actually Like

After you register and pay, a ranger assigns you to a truck or open jeep. The vehicle drives slowly along dirt tracks through the grassland. Within the first 20 minutes you will almost certainly spot the giraffes. The Calauit herd is descended from the original eight animals brought in 1976 and now numbers around 15 to 20 individuals, though exact counts fluctuate. They are tallest in the early morning when they feed on acacia and other tree species, and they are surprisingly tolerant of the trucks.

Zebras are harder to find. They tend to stay in the more forested eastern side of the island and move in small bands. You may also see Calamian deer, a native species that is endangered and protected, as well as wild pigs, monitor lizards, and a wide range of birds including sea eagles and herons near the mangrove areas.

The standard tour lasts about two hours. You are not allowed to leave the vehicle except at designated viewing spots. Feeding the animals is prohibited. The rangers are strict about this because human food has made some of the giraffes dependent and has caused digestive problems in the past.

Best Time to Visit Calauit

The dry season in the Calamian Islands runs from November to May. March and April are the hottest months, with temperatures regularly hitting 34 degrees Celsius. The animals are most active in the early morning, so aim to arrive at the park between 6:30 and 7:00 AM. If you arrive after 10:00 AM, the giraffes often retreat to shaded forest areas and sightings become less reliable.

During the wet season from June to October, the access road from Coron to Salvacion can be difficult. Tours still run, but you should check with your operator a day in advance. Typhoons occasionally cancel trips entirely between August and October.

Where to Stay Near Calauit

Most visitors stay in Coron town and do Calauit as a long day trip. Coron has accommodations ranging from PHP 800 backpacker hostels to PHP 8,000 resort rooms. If you want to stay closer to the park, there are a few guesthouses in Salvacion and on nearby Black Island that offer basic rooms for PHP 1,200 to PHP 2,500 per night. Staying in Salvacion lets you reach the park pier early without the three-hour drive.

For a full list of vetted hotels in the Coron and Busuanga area, see our accommodations guide linked at the bottom of this article.

The Ethical Question: Should You Visit

Calauit has always been controversial. The original translocation of African animals to a Philippine island was well-intentioned but ecologically questionable. Over the decades, the giraffes and zebras have altered the island's vegetation, and there have been concerns about their impact on the native Calamian deer habitat. The animals are not native, and the park is not a natural ecosystem.

However, the park also employs local rangers, funds conservation work for the Calamian deer, and has become an important educational site. The current management under PCSD has shifted the focus toward habitat protection and research rather than treating the island as a simple tourist attraction. If you visit, go with respect: do not feed the animals, do not ask guides to get you closer than regulations allow, and spend money in the local community.

What to Bring

• Sun protection: hat, long-sleeve shirt, sunscreen (reef-safe if you plan to swim afterward)
• At least 2 liters of water per person
• Packed lunch if you are doing the land route, as there are no restaurants on the island
• Binoculars for bird watching and distant zebra sightings
• Cash for all fees, guide tips, and boat payments
• Insect repellent, especially if you visit during the wet season

Combining Calauit with Other Busuanga Spots

Most travelers do not visit Calauit alone. If you charter a boat, you can combine the safari with stops at Black Island, which has a cave with a natural pool, and Pass Island, a small sand cay with good snorkeling. A full-day combined tour typically costs PHP 3,500 to PHP 5,000 per person if you join a group, or PHP 15,000 to PHP 20,000 for a private charter.

If you take the land route, you can stop at the Concepcion waterfalls on the way back to Coron, a small cascade with a swimming hole that is a good way to wash off the dust from the safari.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the giraffes and zebras still alive on Calauit?

Yes. As of the most recent population surveys conducted by PCSD, there are roughly 15 to 20 giraffes and a smaller number of zebras on the island. The herd is self-sustaining and reproduces naturally, though the population is closely monitored.

Can I feed or touch the giraffes?

No. Feeding and touching the animals is strictly prohibited. The rangers enforce this rule because human food has caused health problems for the giraffes in the past. You view the animals from the truck at a respectful distance.

How long is the drive from Coron to Salvacion pier?

The drive takes about two and a half to three hours each way on a mix of paved and gravel roads. During the wet season, travel time can increase significantly. Most tours leave Coron around 4:30 or 5:00 AM to reach the park early.

Is Calauit Safari Park suitable for children?

Yes, children can join the truck tour and usually enjoy seeing the giraffes. However, the long drive from Coron can be tiring for young kids. Bring snacks and entertainment for the road portion of the trip.

Do I need to book a tour in advance?

It is not strictly required, but it is strongly recommended during peak season from December to April. Tour operators in Coron can arrange the full package including transport, boat, entrance fees, and guide. Walk-in arrangements at Salvacion are possible but may involve waiting for a boat.

Is there mobile signal or WiFi on Calauit Island?

Mobile signal is very weak or nonexistent on the island. There is no public WiFi. Let your hotel or family know you will be out of contact for the day.

Last checked 2026-08-25. Written by PANA.PH Palawan Desk for PANA.PH.