Kuapnit Balinsasayao National Park

Kuapnit Balinsasayao Overview

Kuapnit Balinsasayao National Park, known in Filipino as Pambansang Liwasan ng Kuapnit Balinsasayao, is a mountainous and forested protected area located in the municipality of Abuyog in the province of Leyte, Philippines.

Encompassing roughly 1.6 square miles (4.2 square kilometers), the park lies within the southern part of Leyte Island and forms part of the island’s remaining lowland rainforest ecosystem. Established in 1937, it is one of the country’s older national parks and plays a vital role in conserving native biodiversity, supporting local watersheds, and providing a sanctuary for endemic and threatened wildlife.

The terrain of the park is steep and rugged, characterized by forested hills, narrow ridgelines, and deep valleys that feed into streams and rivers. Mount Panasahan and Mount Balinsasayao are among the park’s prominent features, offering elevated vantage points and challenging terrain for trekking.

The forest canopy is lush and multi-layered, with species such as dipterocarps, ferns, bamboo, and rattan dominating the landscape. The rich vegetation supports dense undergrowth and a humid microclimate, often enveloped in mist and filled with the sounds of wildlife. Waterfalls and natural springs can be found throughout the area, feeding into the Kuapnit and Malagsum Rivers.

Wildlife is one of the park’s greatest treasures, with several endemic and vulnerable species making their home in its forested habitats. Among the most notable is the Philippine tarsier, a tiny nocturnal primate known for its large eyes and elusive nature. The Philippine flying lemur and various species of bats also inhabit the tree canopy, while the forest floor is home to monitor lizards, snakes, and amphibians.

Birdlife includes the Balinsasayao, after which the park is partially named—a local term for the Philippine drongo-cuckoo—as well as the Philippine hornbill, brahminy kite, and various kingfishers. Insect diversity is high, with colorful butterflies and beetles often spotted along forest trails.

The park’s most popular features include its forest trails, birdwatching spots, and access to riverine and waterfall areas. While less developed than other national parks in the country, its quiet and undisturbed character appeals to hikers, biologists, and nature lovers looking for an off-the-beaten-path experience.

The presence of traditional footpaths and resting points offers an opportunity to explore the park in a more rustic and immersive way. The nearby Mahagnao Volcano Natural Park complements the region’s appeal with its volcanic lakes and geothermal features.

Visitors to Kuapnit Balinsasayao National Park typically engage in trekking, wildlife observation, and nature photography. The park is also used for educational field trips and environmental awareness activities, particularly by local schools and conservation groups.

Community involvement is growing, with local guides offering insights into the area’s flora, fauna, and folklore. Birdwatchers and conservationists value the park for its relative isolation and intact habitats, which allow for focused observation and species monitoring.

Conservation challenges include illegal logging, habitat fragmentation, and hunting, which have historically threatened the park’s biodiversity. However, increased awareness, stricter enforcement of environmental laws, and support from local government and NGOs have led to gradual improvements in protection and stewardship.

Reforestation efforts and educational campaigns continue to play a role in fostering sustainable relationships between communities and the forest. Kuapnit Balinsasayao remains a valuable natural stronghold on Leyte Island and a key part of the region’s ecological and cultural identity.

Park Map

Kuapnit Balinsasayao National Park Highlights

Wildlife

Kuapnit Balinsasayao National Park, located in Leyte Province on the island of Leyte in the Eastern Visayas, is a rugged protected area known for its mountainous terrain, dense tropical rainforest, caves, and natural springs. As one of the last remaining forest strongholds in Leyte, the park harbors a rich mix of endemic and native wildlife—including rare mammals and reptiles uniquely adapted to the humid lowland and montane forests of the Visayas.

Philippine Warty Pig (Visayan subspecies)
This endemic wild pig is a vital part of the forest ecosystem, rooting through the undergrowth in search of tubers, fruit, and invertebrates. It helps aerate the soil and disperse seeds.

Philippine Deer (Visayan subspecies)
A quiet and nocturnal browser, this deer feeds on forest plants, leaves, and fruit. It is shy and most often seen near water sources or in forest clearings during twilight hours.

Philippine Long-tailed Macaque
This social monkey is commonly found near forest edges, rivers, and high ridges. It travels in groups and forages for fruit, insects, leaves, and even crabs in the park’s streams.

Common Palm Civet (Musang)
A solitary and nocturnal mammal, the palm civet prowls the understory and tree branches for fruit, insects, and small animals. It is often detected by its strong scent and distinctive droppings.

Philippine Forest Rat (Leyte subspecies)
Active at night and dwelling in the park’s leaf litter and undergrowth, this rodent feeds on seeds, fruit, and invertebrates, playing a vital role in forest regeneration.

Flying Fox (Giant Fruit Bat species)
These large bats roost in treetops and forage at dusk for fruit and nectar. As pollinators and seed dispersers, they are essential to the forest’s ecological balance.

Tokay Gecko
Brightly colored and loud, the tokay gecko is often heard at night with its distinctive “to-kay” call. It feeds on insects, small lizards, and even young birds, often hiding in tree hollows or caves.

Water Monitor Lizard
Found near forest streams and wetlands, this large and powerful lizard preys on fish, amphibians, carrion, and eggs. It is an agile climber and an important predator in the food web.

Skinks (Various endemic species)
These small, quick reptiles are abundant in forest undergrowth and sunlit openings. They feed on insects and contribute to pest control throughout the park.

Reticulated Python
One of the largest snakes in Southeast Asia, it may be found in the park’s deeper forest or near rivers, hunting rodents, birds, and small deer. Despite its size, it avoids human contact.

Birds

Kuapnit Balinsasayao National Park is also an important refuge for Leyte’s avifauna, including several threatened and endemic bird species that depend on the island’s remaining rainforest habitat.

Philippine Eagle (possible occasional range)
Though extremely rare in Leyte, occasional sightings suggest that this critically endangered raptor may pass through large forest patches. It preys on monkeys, birds, and large rodents.

Philippine Duck
Occasionally seen near forest streams and springs, this endemic duck forages for aquatic vegetation and small invertebrates. It is classified as vulnerable due to habitat loss.

Visayan Hornbill
Once more widespread, this fruit-eating hornbill is now threatened and dependent on intact forest. It nests in tree cavities and plays a vital role in seed dispersal.

Philippine Bulbul
A common and energetic songbird in the park’s mid-canopy and edges, the bulbul feeds on fruit, nectar, and insects, often in small family groups.

Philippine Coucal
This secretive bird forages on the ground for frogs, insects, and lizards. Its deep, booming call is a familiar sound along shaded forest paths.

Tarictic Hornbill (Southern Visayan subspecies)
This forest-dwelling hornbill travels in small flocks and is crucial for dispersing large seeds. Its loud calls echo through the canopy during the breeding season.

White-eared Brown Dove
A ground-dwelling endemic dove that feeds on fallen fruits and seeds. It prefers quiet forest interiors and is often heard cooing softly in the morning.

Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker
This tiny woodpecker clings to tree trunks and branches in search of insects and larvae. It is a frequent member of mixed bird flocks moving through the canopy.

Lowland White-eye
These social, green-plumaged birds forage actively in trees and shrubs for nectar, fruit, and insects. They are often seen in flocks darting through the lower canopy.

Philippine Hawk-Cuckoo
Often heard but rarely seen, this elusive bird mimics raptor calls and lays its eggs in the nests of other species. It forages on caterpillars and forest insects.

Kuapnit Balinsasayao National Park is a rare sanctuary of native forest in Leyte—where ridges, rivers, and deep green valleys shelter some of the island’s last populations of endemic wildlife, making it a critical stronghold for conservation in the Visayas.