For our third day in Palawan, we were given choices whether to go to Malcapuya Island, part of Coron, or to Calauit Island, part of Busuanga. Malcapuya Island is known for its pristine white beach, which would take about an hour and a half worth of boat ride from Coron town proper. On the other hand, Calauit Island is a game preserve and wildlife park, which would take 3 hours of land travel plus about 5 minutes or so of boat ride.
Despite the long distance and travel time, and what seemed to be a dangerous travel for us (which I will elaborate later on), we chose to go to Calauit Island instead. Basic reason was, we thought we had just enough island hopping on our second day in Palawan and we had seen so many white beaches already. Besides, Calauit Safari Park seemed to be nothing like we ever seen before, so…enough said, we woke up really early that day and were fetched by our guide and driver at around 4:00 am.
We left Coron and traveled to Busuanga for about two hours. It was rainy that early morning when we traversed alternating cemented and rough roads. We even had to cross a bridge on foot since it was just newly built as a temporary alternative after the original bridge had been destroyed by a recent flash flood. (Talking about the danger we had to face going to Calauit…)
We had been praying all through the ride that the rain would at least stop (since it would also affect our boat ride and practically our trip to the park), and it did when we stopped by the barangay of Salvacion for breakfast! :D We were really blessed!
The restaurant was small but really adorable. We liked the use of wood for the interiors and the breezy bohemian feel in it.
After that quick 30-minute stop over for breakfast, we again traveled for a little less than an hour until we reached the port were our boat would be waiting for us to take us to the Calauit Island.
It took us just about 5 minutes to reach the island.
Mangrove trees border the coastline of the island which made the dock area such a fascinating sight.
After writing our names as guests in the Information Center office, we rode this huge truck which took us to the Safari Park.
The whole Calauit Island was declared as a game preserve and wildlife sanctuary in 1976 under the Presidencial Proclamation 1578 by late former President Ferdinand Marcos. It was presumably the country’s response to the international call to save the endangered animals then in Africa.
Now, the whole 3,700 hectare of the wildlife sanctuary is said to be sheltering both exotic and indigenous animals such as bushbucks, elands, giraffes, impalas, waterbucks, zebras; Calamian deer and mouse deer; Palawan peacock pheasant, bearcat, crocodile, and wild pig.
Asian Palm Civet Cat
Asian Palm Civet Cat
Palawan Wild Boar
There was this crocodile but he was sleeping below the water. So Mang Orland had to prod it a little so we would be able to see…
There were also other animals inside the park, like the Palawan Porcupine,…
…this eagle,
…this turtle
…and this snake. Yes, and this one is huge! Good thing it was sleeping >.<
Many of the animals in this island are allowed to live in a natural state with minimum human interference or disturbance. Hence, certain rules must be followed by visitors in order not to entail stresses to the animals as well as prevent the guests as well from any possible harm.
Monkey outside the cage of an eagle (it seemed to be watching our every move…)
Calamian Deers
Calamian Deers
Zebras
Zebras
“I like to move it, move it! We like to, MOVE IT!”
Giraffes
The other exotic animals, according to Mang Orland, were a bit more apprehensive with people than the rest of the animals and so they’re seldom seen by visitors.
Giraffes and zebras in harmony. B-)
The highlight of this trip was definitely our close encounter with the animals, particularly the giraffes! Mang Orland, one of the caretakers of the park, showed us how to feed the giraffes.
Kuya Em, our guide, had to do it first, of course.
It felt a bit scary at first, since the sight of the giraffe’s huge head coming towards you was quite intimidating. Plus, I wouldn’t know for sure whether its long purple tongue will not lick my hand as well! >.<
My epic face for the win!
But as I started to get the hang of it, I definitely would like to feed them more!
I was even able to feed them using my mouth! B-)
My friends surely had a great time with the “gentle giants” as well!
It was utterly the best experience we had that day!
Meanwhile, unlike the giraffes, the zebras are rather more aggressive and dangerous as we were told. So, we were only allowed up to a certain distance to take pictures with them.
Calauit Safari Park was definitely a noteworthy place to visit when you are in Palawan. It is not very common (particularly in the Philippines) we see landscape as such were exotic and native animals live well together and as “natural” as they can be.
We were really fortunate that the weather gave us a favor that day. The park became our big playground! We got to see very interesting animals as well as plants, like this Camouflage Tree!
Can you see me?
Before heading back to Coron proper, we first stopped by to see the Concepcion Falls, still part of Busuanga.
It took us about 10 minutes of short trek from the main road to the falls.
Concepcion falls is relatively small, but it was said to be the source of water supply for two barangays.
The water was cold which was just perfect to revive our senses after the hot and humid safari adventure in Calauit.
Good thing, we had the place all by ourselves! B-)
So, we were able to do silly things… hah!
Before we resumed our road trip back to Coron, we had our late lunch (which our guide had packed for us, and was included in the tour package) inside the van as it was already starting to rain in the island. We no longer minded the weather thereafter, as we were already done for our itinerary that day. (Well, except for the other gals who had their flight cancelled on the first day of our tour: they climbed up the Mt. Tapyas later that afternoon.)
Fourth and last day in Coron was left for souvenir shopping. We rode this tricycle which can accommodate up to 8 persons!
Oh how do you plan to take us straight to SM Fairview, Manong?
We went to see the biggest souvenir shop a few minutes tricycle ride from our lodge to the town proper for bulk purchases for relatives, office mates, etc. For cashews (said to be the common pasalubong from tourists coming from Palawan), we went to L. Escarda’s Cashew Factory. Cashews may be expensive when you buy it in Manila, but in the Cashew Factory, they were relatively cheaper!
Finally, we went to visit an art gallery near our lodge which was also selling some of their local crafts:
Overall, it was a fun and very fulfilling four-day adventure in Coron and Busuanga, Palawan. These places surely have their own uniqueness in them that most probably no other place in the country can offer. You sure have to put this in your bucket list too! B-)
I’m glad I had shared this awesome memory with my dearest friends.
Thank you girls for the wonderful company and for sharing your photos!
Take time to travel and see the world. There are so much out there to see and experience. Feel free!
“The whole object of travel is not to set foot on foreign land; it is at last to set foot on one’s own country as a foreign land.” – Gilbert K. Chesterton
Have a great day ahead!
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