Monfort Bat Sanctuary – Samal, Davao del Norte (Travel Guide + Tips)

MONFORT BAT SANCTUARY

Afraid of bats? Monfort Bat Sanctuary will surely remove your fear of them. Located in the Island Garden City of Samal. Monfort Bat Sanctuary housed 2.3 Million bats in 2014.  In 2010, They were awarded the Guinness World Record for being the largest colony of Geoffrey Rousette Fruit Bat (Rousetteus Amplexicaudatus) which was estimated by the Bat Conservation International to be approximately 1.8 million. If this was then, what more can be their population as of today?

According to the owner Norma Monfort, one of the factors being considered for the population boom is that the cave is protected from the disturbance of human beings. Being an eco-tourism and conservation site, they maintain the safety and welfare of the bats.

TO THE BAT CAVE!

My first stop on my solo backpacking to Davao is Monfort Bat Sanctuary. From Babak Wharf, I chartered a habal-habal going to the site but my driver eventually offered me a tour to the island’s destinations depending on the location I wanted to visit.

Upon entering the sanctuary, I get a whiff of the strong smell of the guanos. Guanos are the excrement of bats, which is a highly effective fertilizer. According to my guide, the bats in Monfort Bat Sanctuary are the reason for the high yield of fruit trees in Davao, like the Durian. At night these bats go out of the cave and help pollinate the trees and plants in the Davao Region.

The Monfort Cave has 4 horizontal sinkholes where guests can see the bats. One of these holes is referred to as the ‘maternity ward’ where the female bats give birth and nurse their pups. The baby boom is good news but it caused the overcrowding of the cave which affects the population of the bats. The male bats act aggressively against the pups and sometimes end up cannibalizing them. Norma Monfort planned to build a chiropterium to solve the overcrowding. A few years from now, how many bats do you think will inhabit the Monfort Cave?

The bats can be scary but these animals have a big role in our environment and we should protect them. My visit to Davao opened my eyes to how rich our country of wildlife. I am thankful to Davaoeños for actively protecting and conserving not just the eagles at the Philippine Eagle Center but also the bats here at Monfort Bat Sanctuary. Visiting these sites made me want to treasure my country more.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR MORE DESTINATIONS IN DAVAO CITY, YOU CAN ALSO CHECK MY DAVAO, SAMAL & TALICUD TRAVEL GUIDE.

TRAVEL GUIDE & TIPS

LOCATION:

• Circumferential Road, Barangay San Isidro (Babak), Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte, Philippines

HOW TO GET THERE:

a. BY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:

• From Francisco Bangoy International Airport, take a taxi going to Sasa Wharf. (Travel Time: 15 Minutes)
• Ride a ferry/RORO going to Babak Port. (Travel Time: 30 Minutes; Travel Fare: ₱10.00)
• Charter a habal-habal or a tricycle going to Monfort Bat Sanctuary. (Travel Time: 10 Minutes; Travel Fare: ₱100 for 3 adults)

b. BY TRAVEL TOURS:

• KLOOK SAMAL ISLAND TOUR

THINGS TO DO:

• Donate/Adopt – you can donate to the sanctuary and in return, you will be given a photograph taken within the sanctuary and other freebies. Visitors can also adopt a bat which entitles them to a tree planted in their name, free entrance to the sanctuary, a bat plaque, and a bat adoption certificate.
• Volunteering/Tree Planting – visitors are encouraged to volunteer to plant trees in the area and observe bat activities. Visitors can also participate in their seminars or workshops.
• Picture Taking – take photos of the bats protected by the sanctuary.

RATES:

• Entrance Fee:  ₱100.00
• Environmental Fee: ₱5.00

ACCOMMODATIONS:

• ANONANG CLOUD NINE – SAMAL ISLAND
• SAMAL ISLAND KEMBALI CONDO RESORT
• VILLA PRIVE SAMAL ISLAND
• SEDA ABREEZA
• PARK INN BY RADISSON DAVAO
• WATERFRONT INSULAR HOTEL DAVAO
• DUSITD2 DAVAO HOTEL
• ACACIA HOTEL DAVAO
• SANS HOTEL AT THE LUXEBRIDGE SUITES DAVAO
• RED PLANET DAVAO

POWER PACK:

• Insect Repellant
• Sunblock
• Mini Fan
• Dry Bag
• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Water Bottle
• Extra Clothes

CHECK OUT THESE DISCOUNTED/PROMO RATES FROM KLOOK:

• Samal Island Day Tour
• Malagos Garden Resort Day Tour Pass
• Nature Tour in Davao
• Highlands Tour in Davao
• Davao City Tour

Klook.com

CONNECT:

• Instagram: monfort.bat.sanctuary
• Contact Number (Mobile): +63 985 524 9047

NOTES:

• Operating Hours: Opens Daily including Holidays from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
• Volunteering, donations, and adoptions are accepted by the sanctuary.
• Leave No Trace. Do not litter or make any noise.
• A camping site is also available.
• They also sell souvenirs such as Tableas and Honey.

©CHASEJASE