Bataan National Park

Bataan Overview

Bataan National Park, locally known as Pambansang Liwasan ng Bataan, is a scenic and ecologically rich protected area situated on the Bataan Peninsula in Central Luzon, Philippines.

Encompassing roughly 85 square miles (221 square kilometers), the park spans across several towns including Orani, Samal, Abucay, Balanga, and Morong. Established in 1945, it is one of the country’s earliest national parks and plays a crucial role in preserving forested mountain ranges, vital watersheds, and diverse wildlife in a region that remains within reach of the nation’s capital, Manila.

The park’s terrain is rugged and mountainous, with its crown jewel being Mount Natib, a dormant volcano that rises to 4,491 feet (1,369 meters). This peak dominates the landscape and is surrounded by a ring of ridges and steep slopes carved by rivers and streams.

The area is cloaked in dense tropical rainforest, with dipterocarp species in the lowlands and mossy forest in the upper elevations. The varied terrain supports rivers such as the Pasukulan and Tiawi, which give rise to beautiful waterfalls like Pasukulan Falls and Dunsulan Falls. Throughout the year, the forest remains lush and green, especially during the rainy season when vegetation flourishes.

Bataan National Park shelters a wide array of native Philippine wildlife. Among the mammals that roam the forested areas are the Philippine deer, long-tailed macaques, civet cats, and tree shrews. Monitor lizards and various snakes, including non-venomous pythons, inhabit the undergrowth.

The park is also a haven for birdlife, featuring endemic species such as the Philippine hawk-eagle, Luzon hornbill, guaiabero, and the flame-breasted fruit dove. The forest canopy and streams also support a diversity of frogs, insects, and butterflies, contributing to the park’s vibrant and interconnected ecosystem.

Popular features of Bataan National Park include its accessible waterfalls, natural springs, crater-like ridges, and trekking paths through unspoiled forest. The hike to Mount Natib is a top draw for experienced hikers, who are rewarded with panoramic views of the Bataan Peninsula and the West Philippine Sea.

Dunsulan Falls, near Pilar, is a popular destination for nature lovers and families looking for a refreshing retreat. The park also provides ample opportunities for eco-tourism activities such as birdwatching, river trekking, forest bathing, and nature photography.

Visitors can engage with the park through hiking, guided nature walks, educational field trips, and camping in designated areas. Several trails range in difficulty, from gentle walks near the waterfalls to challenging ascents toward Mount Natib’s summit.

The surrounding communities often serve as stewards and eco-guides, helping visitors explore the park’s natural features while promoting conservation awareness and respect for the environment.

Conservation in Bataan National Park has had to address challenges such as illegal logging, encroachment, and habitat disturbance. However, collaborative efforts by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, local government units, and environmental groups have helped safeguard its resources.

Ongoing reforestation efforts, increased patrols, and community-based forest management initiatives have improved the park’s condition in recent years. These strategies are vital in ensuring that Bataan National Park remains a thriving sanctuary for native wildlife and a green refuge for future generations.

Park Map

Bataan National Park Highlights

Wildlife

Birds

Bataan National Park is also home to a rich community of bird species, particularly forest specialists and endemic species that thrive in the lush, humid lowland and upland rainforests of the Bataan Peninsula.

Philippine Eagle (possible range)
Though sightings are rare, the Philippine eagle may roam into the park’s largest forest tracts. It preys on monkeys, flying squirrels, and birds and requires large trees for nesting.

Luzon Hornbill
A large, fruit-eating bird endemic to Luzon, it travels in small flocks through the canopy, playing a key role in forest regeneration by dispersing seeds.

White-eared Brown Dove
This ground-foraging endemic dove is often found along quiet trails and forest edges, feeding on fallen fruit and seeds. Its soft cooing is a common sound in the underbrush.

Philippine Bulbul
A highly vocal and abundant songbird in forest edges and mid-canopy, the bulbul feeds on insects, fruit, and nectar, contributing to pollination and seed spread.

Philippine Serpent Eagle
This medium-sized raptor is often seen soaring above the canopy or perched silently. It preys on snakes, lizards, and small mammals and has a distinct whistling call.

Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker
A small and active woodpecker, it taps on trunks and branches in search of insects. It is often seen in mixed-species flocks flitting through the forest.

Guaiabero
This tiny parrot, endemic to Luzon, is often seen in pairs or small groups feeding on fruits and nectar. Its quick movements and high-pitched calls help it blend into the canopy.

Coleto
A unique, bald-headed starling endemic to the Philippines, the coleto is often found in groups. It feeds on fruit and insects and nests in tree holes.

Philippine Hawk-Cuckoo
A secretive bird often heard more than seen, this cuckoo mimics hawk calls and lays its eggs in the nests of other birds. It forages quietly for caterpillars and insects.

Lowland White-eye
These small green songbirds form active flocks in forest edges and secondary growth, feeding on nectar and insects. Their constant movement and soft whistles are familiar sounds.

Bataan National Park is a vibrant refuge for Luzon’s forest life, where thick rainforest and mountain slopes provide a sanctuary for rare mammals, secretive reptiles, and a wide array of bird species that depend on this vital island stronghold.

Bataan National Park, located in the Bataan Peninsula of Central Luzon, is a vast forested mountain landscape that includes rugged peaks, waterfalls, rivers, and dense lowland and montane rainforests. As one of the last large patches of primary forest in the region, the park shelters a rich variety of wildlife, including many endemic and threatened mammals and reptiles that thrive in its humid, tropical environment.

Philippine Warty Pig
This wild pig is endemic to the Philippines and is commonly found in the park’s forested hills. It forages for roots, tubers, and fallen fruit and plays a vital role in soil turnover and seed dispersal.

Philippine Deer (Luzon Brown Deer)
A shy and nocturnal grazer, this native deer feeds on leaves, grasses, and young shoots. It is often found in the dense forest interior and open clearings at dawn and dusk.

Philippine Long-tailed Macaque
This social and intelligent monkey is commonly seen in troops moving through the canopy or foraging on the forest floor. It feeds on fruit, insects, leaves, and occasionally small animals.

Common Palm Civet (Musang)
A nocturnal forest-dweller, the civet feeds on fruit, insects, and small animals. It is important in seed dispersal and is often detected by its musky scent or scat near trails.

Luzon Leopard Cat
A small and elusive predator, this wild cat preys on rodents, birds, and lizards. It is mostly nocturnal and thrives in the park’s undisturbed forest zones.

Northern Luzon Cloud Rat
This large, tree-dwelling rodent is endemic to Luzon and is primarily nocturnal. It feeds on leaves, fruits, and bark and is a symbol of Philippine forest biodiversity.

Philippine Forest Rat
Active at night and found in the undergrowth, this native rodent plays an important role in the forest ecosystem, feeding on seeds and insects and serving as prey for larger predators.

Water Monitor Lizard
This large reptile is found near rivers and streams, basking on rocks or tree branches. It feeds on fish, amphibians, carrion, and small animals and is an excellent swimmer.

Tokay Gecko
This brightly colored lizard is known for its loud, resonant call. It is nocturnal and feeds on insects, small vertebrates, and roosting birds, often sheltering in tree hollows.

Skinks (Various native species)
Skinks are common in the leaf litter and forest floor, feeding on insects and playing a key role in the ecosystem. They are quick, secretive, and well-camouflaged in their surroundings.

Birds

Luzon Hornbill
A large, fruit-eating bird endemic to Luzon, it travels in small flocks through the canopy, playing a key role in forest regeneration by dispersing seeds.

Philippine Bulbul
A highly vocal and abundant songbird in forest edges and mid-canopy, the bulbul feeds on insects, fruit, and nectar, contributing to pollination and seed spread.

Philippine Serpent Eagle
This medium-sized raptor is often seen soaring above the canopy or perched silently. It preys on snakes, lizards, and small mammals and has a distinct whistling call.

Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker
A small and active woodpecker, it taps on trunks and branches in search of insects. It is often seen in mixed-species flocks flitting through the forest.

Guaiabero
This tiny parrot, endemic to Luzon, is often seen in pairs or small groups feeding on fruits and nectar. Its quick movements and high-pitched calls help it blend into the canopy.

Coleto
A unique, bald-headed starling endemic to the Philippines, the coleto is often found in groups. It feeds on fruit and insects and nests in tree holes.

Philippine Hawk-Cuckoo
A secretive bird often heard more than seen, this cuckoo mimics hawk calls and lays its eggs in the nests of other birds. It forages quietly for caterpillars and insects.

Birds

Luzon Hornbill
A large, fruit-eating bird endemic to Luzon, it travels in small flocks through the canopy, playing a key role in forest regeneration by dispersing seeds.

Philippine Bulbul
A highly vocal and abundant songbird in forest edges and mid-canopy, the bulbul feeds on insects, fruit, and nectar, contributing to pollination and seed spread.

Philippine Serpent Eagle
This medium-sized raptor is often seen soaring above the canopy or perched silently. It preys on snakes, lizards, and small mammals and has a distinct whistling call.

Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker
A small and active woodpecker, it taps on trunks and branches in search of insects. It is often seen in mixed-species flocks flitting through the forest.

Guaiabero
This tiny parrot, endemic to Luzon, is often seen in pairs or small groups feeding on fruits and nectar. Its quick movements and high-pitched calls help it blend into the canopy.

Coleto
A unique, bald-headed starling endemic to the Philippines, the coleto is often found in groups. It feeds on fruit and insects and nests in tree holes.

Philippine Hawk-Cuckoo
A secretive bird often heard more than seen, this cuckoo mimics hawk calls and lays its eggs in the nests of other birds. It forages quietly for caterpillars and insects.