Covering well over 20,000 acres in Bohol, Philippines, Rajah Sikatuna National Park is the wildest forest in the region, dotted with karst limestone outcroppings and known for its diverse and colorful bird population.
There are 400 distinct bird species in the forests of Rajah Sikatuna, half of which are only found in the Philippine archipelago. Trekking and bird watching is increasingly popular, and guides are available for serious birders. Recorded bird calls can be used to lure the rarest species.
Another attraction in the park is the Simply Butterflies Conservation Center. Local townspeople help breed butterflies for the butterfly sanctuary. Onsite attractions include nature trails, an enclosure and a butterfly flower garden.
Tarsiers, tiny primates weighing just a few ounces, leap through the forest after dark, but visitors are much more likely to see the monkeys which come out during the day. Other minor park attractions include a rickety bamboo suspension bridge and a swimming pool near park headquarters.
Getting There & Away
Access is from Bilar Market con terminal, a stop on the bus route between Tagbilaran City and Talibon. From the stop in Bilar, take a motorcycle taxi just a little over two miles to the park headquarters. Buses take around an hour to travel the 25 miles to Tagbilaran City (home to the nearest airport), where passengers can fly to Manila or take a ferry to Cebu, both with a travel time of 1 hour, 30 minutes.