Mount Apo National Park

Mount Apo Overview

Mount Apo National Park, known in Filipino as Pambansang Liwasan ng Bundok Apo, is one of the Philippines’ most iconic protected areas, located on the island of Mindanao between the provinces of Davao del Sur and Cotabato.

Covering approximately 193.6 square miles (502.3 square kilometers), the park is centered around Mount Apo, the tallest peak in the country, rising to 9,692 feet (2,954 meters) above sea level. Established in 1936, the park is a crown jewel of Philippine biodiversity and a sacred mountain to many Indigenous groups, revered not only for its height but also for its ecological, cultural, and recreational value.

The terrain of Mount Apo National Park is remarkably diverse, ranging from lowland tropical forests and mossy montane woodlands to volcanic rockscapes, geothermal fields, and high-altitude grasslands. The slopes of the mountain are covered in dense dipterocarp forests at lower elevations, gradually transitioning to pine forests, cloud forests, and dwarf bamboo zones near the summit.

The park is also home to crater lakes, sulfur vents, and hot springs, giving it a geologically active character. Rivers and waterfalls such as Tudaya Falls and Marbel River cut through the park’s rugged landscape, feeding watersheds that support agriculture and daily life in the surrounding regions.

The park is renowned for its exceptional biodiversity, housing more than 270 species of birds and over 100 species of mammals, many of which are endemic or threatened. Among its most notable residents is the critically endangered Philippine eagle, which nests in the park’s forests and symbolizes national pride and conservation urgency.

Other key wildlife species include the Philippine warty pig, Mindanao tree shrew, cloud rats, and civets. Amphibians, reptiles, and a dazzling array of insects, orchids, and ferns contribute to the mountain’s rich ecological mosaic. Mount Apo’s varied habitats make it one of the country’s most important centers of endemism and scientific research.

Popular features of the park include its scenic trails, waterfalls, volcanic formations, and of course, the summit of Mount Apo itself. Several established routes—such as those via Kidapawan, Digos, and Bansalan—lead trekkers through different ecosystems on their way to the peak, offering unforgettable views and encounters with wildlife and native flora.

At the summit, climbers are rewarded with panoramic vistas that stretch across Mindanao, with views of neighboring peaks and the distant Davao Gulf. The park also includes Lake Venado, a high-altitude basin that serves as a serene campsite and reflection point for mountaineers.

Visitors experience Mount Apo National Park primarily through mountaineering, hiking, birdwatching, and camping. It is a premier destination for adventure seekers in the Philippines and is regarded as a rite of passage for local and international climbers.

Cultural immersion is also part of the experience, as the trails pass through ancestral lands of Indigenous communities such as the Bagobo, Manobo, and Kalagan, who share their traditions and local knowledge with trekkers. Educational tours and research trips are also common, emphasizing the park’s role in conservation science.

Conservation challenges include illegal logging, encroachment, mining pressure, and the impact of tourism on fragile environments. However, the park has seen significant efforts to address these issues through joint management by local governments, Indigenous peoples, and national agencies.

The Mount Apo Foundation and various community-based groups have worked to promote sustainable tourism, reforestation, and protection of critical habitats. These collaborative efforts continue to protect the ecological and cultural heritage of Mount Apo, ensuring it remains a symbol of natural grandeur and national pride.

Park Map

Mount Apo National Park Highlights

Wildlife

Mount Apo National Park, located in Mindanao and spanning the provinces of Davao del Sur, Davao City, and Cotabato, is home to the highest peak in the Philippines—Mount Apo. This towering stratovolcano rises to over 2,954 meters and is surrounded by montane and mossy forests, geothermal springs, volcanic craters, and grassland plateaus. As one of the most biodiverse areas in the country, the park shelters an exceptional variety of mammals and reptiles, many of which are endemic and found nowhere else in the world.

Philippine Warty Pig (Mindanao subspecies)
This sturdy and elusive wild pig roams through the dense mossy forest and upland grasslands, digging for roots, fallen fruit, and invertebrates. It is a keystone species for forest regeneration and soil disturbance.

Philippine Deer (Mindanao Brown Deer)
A shy browser adapted to high-elevation slopes, this endemic deer feeds on grasses, shrubs, and forest leaves. It typically forages at dusk and dawn in clearings or forest edges.

Philippine Long-tailed Macaque
Often found near riverbanks and forest margins, these social monkeys forage for fruit, leaves, insects, and shellfish. They are highly intelligent and often travel in large troops.

Philippine Tarsier (Possible range in lower forest zones)
One of the world’s smallest primates, the tarsier is a nocturnal insectivore with enormous eyes and strong leaping ability. It clings to tree trunks in dense understory and feeds on insects and small vertebrates.

Mindanao Tree Shrew
A fast-moving, insectivorous mammal that scurries through the leaf litter and low vegetation. It feeds on insects, nectar, and fruit and plays a role in pollination and pest control.

Philippine Forest Rat (Mindanao endemic forms)
Native rodents like the Apo forest rat are key players in the park’s food web, feeding on seeds and insects and serving as prey for owls, snakes, and wild cats.

Philippine Palm Civet (Musang)
This nocturnal mammal feeds on fruit, birds, and small mammals, often moving between the canopy and understory. It is essential for seed dispersal throughout the forest.

Tokay Gecko
A vibrantly colored and loud-calling lizard, the tokay gecko is active at night in trees and cliff walls, preying on insects and small birds or reptiles.

Water Monitor Lizard
Seen near warm streams and crater lakes, this powerful reptile feeds on frogs, fish, carrion, and eggs. It’s a strong swimmer and is often spotted sunning on rocks.

Reticulated Python
This large constrictor hides in dense vegetation and along streambeds. It preys on mammals, birds, and reptiles and is an apex predator in the park’s rainforest ecosystem.

Birds

Mount Apo National Park is not only home to impressive mammals and reptiles—it is a globally significant bird habitat. Many of Mindanao’s endemic and endangered bird species depend on the forest, cliffs, and alpine slopes of the country’s tallest mountain.

Philippine Eagle
This critically endangered raptor is the most iconic species of the park. With a massive wingspan and powerful talons, it preys on monkeys, flying lemurs, and large birds. Mount Apo is one of its last strongholds.

Mindanao Lorikeet
Endemic to high-elevation forests, this small, colorful parrot feeds on nectar and pollen and flits quickly between flowering trees. Its high-pitched calls are heard in the mossy forest canopy.

Apo Sunbird
This dazzling, high-altitude nectar feeder is found only on Mount Apo and nearby peaks. Males are brightly colored, and both sexes visit flowering shrubs in alpine grasslands and mossy forest edges.

Bagobo Babbler
An elusive, ground-dwelling bird endemic to Mount Apo, the babbler hides in the thick forest floor vegetation, foraging for insects and grubs. It has a rich, whistling song.

White-cheeked Bullfinch
This high-mountain finch is found in the cool, moss-laden forests of Mount Apo. It feeds on seeds and small fruits and is usually seen in pairs or small flocks.

McGregor’s Cuckooshrike
A Mindanao endemic, this gray songbird moves quietly through the forest canopy, feeding on insects and caterpillars. It is named after a British ornithologist and is uncommon throughout its range.

Mindanao Scops Owl
A small, nocturnal owl that roosts in mossy branches during the day and hunts for insects and small mammals at night. Its haunting calls echo through the misty forest after dark.

Black-and-cinnamon Fantail
This energetic forest bird fans its tail while darting after insects in the understory. It is endemic to Mindanao and is often found in dense, mossy vegetation near streams.

Writhed Hornbill
This large, forest-dwelling hornbill is endemic to Mindanao and nests in tree cavities. It plays a crucial role in dispersing large seeds and maintaining forest diversity.

Cinnamon Ibon
Found only in Mindanao’s high mountain forests, this small and unique bird feeds on insects and seeds. It is typically seen in mixed flocks at mid- to high-elevation forest zones.

Mount Apo National Park is the crown jewel of Philippine biodiversity—a towering mountain sanctuary where lush rainforest, mist-covered ridges, and highland grasslands provide refuge for some of the rarest and most iconic species in the country, including the great Philippine eagle and countless other creatures found nowhere else on Earth.