National park · Philippines
Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary
Enter the sanctuary for a half‑day hike to the summit (≈3 h, ₱200 entry) in the dry season, or a full‑day trek to the pygmy forest (≈5 h, ₱300 guide) from December to May; avoid the rainy months July–September.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
40 km² (15 sq mi)15 sq mi (40 km²)
approximate
Established
2014
Best months
Jan–May
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 5Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Philippines ↗Complete the free eTravel registration on the official government site within 72 hours before arrival; ignore lookalike sites that charge.
- Philippines ↗Typhoon season runs roughly June to November: flights and boats are cancelled at short notice; buy flexible tickets and keep a spare day.
- Philippines ↗Carry pesos in small notes; many stalls, jeepneys and taxis are cash-only.
At a glance
- Country
- Philippines
- Area
- 40 km² (15 sq mi)15 sq mi (40 km²)
- The sanctuary covers roughly 40 km² of forest and mountain terrain; some sources cite a slightly larger protected area including surrounding buffers (check).
- Established
- 2014
- Best months
- Jan–May
- Permits
- For some areas
Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary protects the island’s highest peak and its pygmy forest, home to endemic carnivorous plants and the critically endangered Philippine eagle. The site offers short summit hikes and longer guided treks through dwarf forest, best visited in the dry season.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2014Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary.
Size and age
40 km² (15 sq mi)15 sq mi (40 km²) · national park since 2014
The sanctuary covers roughly 40 km² of forest and mountain terrain; some sources cite a slightly larger protected area including surrounding buffers (check).
Why go
- See the rare pygmy forest and endemic carnivorous plants.
- Spot the critically endangered Philippine eagle in its habitat.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepAvoid
- OctCaution
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanDry, cool mornings.
- FebDry, good trail conditions.
- MarDry, low rain risk.
- AprDry, warm.
- MayEnd of dry season.
- JunStart of rains.
- JulFrequent heavy rain.
- AugHeavy rain, trail mud.
- SepRainy, landslide risk.
- OctRain tapering.
- NovTransition, less rain.
- DecDry start of season.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philippine eagleAll year · Rare; sightings not guaranteed. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Carnivorous plants (nepenthes)Mar–Sep | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Endemic forest birdsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Mati (city)
Take a jeepney or van north 40 km (25 mi) to the sanctuary gate; road is paved.Take a jeepney or van north 25 mi (40 km) to the sanctuary gate; road is paved.
1–1.5 h
From Davao City
Bus to Mati (≈3 h) then local transport to gate.
≈4 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Gate and visitor centre | Entry point, information desk, basic facilities. | Open daily; ticket required. |
| Summit trail | Short steep path to Hamiguitan peak (≈3 km (1.9 mi) round).Short steep path to Hamiguitan peak (≈1.9 mi (3 km) round). | Open with entry ticket. |
| Pygmy forest area | Longer trail through dwarf forest and carnivorous plant zones. | Guided access only. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from Wikidata; gate location approximated.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (per person) | PHP 200 (≈ US$4) | person | Covers short summit trail. |
| Guided trek to pygmy forest (per group) | PHP 300 (≈ US$6) | group | Guide required for longer routes. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Guided trek permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- ₱200≈ US$4
- ₱300≈ US$6
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for any trail beyond the summit path.
- Camping
- Not allowed inside the sanctuary; stay in Mati or nearby lodgings.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use designated cooking areas outside the park.
- Litter
- Carry out all waste.
- Drones
- Not allowed without special permission.
Where to stay
Near the park
Mati town hotels
Budget to mid‑range rooms, 30 km (19 mi) from gate.Budget to mid‑range rooms, 19 mi (30 km) from gate.
Near the park
Homestays near gate
Simple rooms for trekkers.
Safety
Steep and slippery sections medium
Rain‑induced landslides high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Gate area reachable by car; short walks are uneven.
- Summit trail steep, not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Support local guides and homestays.
- Do not collect plants or disturb wildlife.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary?
Entry is ₱200 per person; a guided trek to the pygmy forest costs about ₱300 per group.
What are the best hikes in Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary?
The short summit trail (≈3 h, moderate) and the longer pygmy forest trek (≈5–6 h, hard, guide required) are the main routes.
When is the best time to visit Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary?
The dry season December to May offers the best conditions; avoid July–September due to heavy rain.
Do I need a guide for the summit hike?
No, the summit trail is open with a standard entry ticket; guides are only required for longer treks.
Can I camp inside the sanctuary?
Camping is not permitted; stay in Mati or nearby homestays.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary
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