Pantuwaraya Lake National Park

Pantuwaraya Lake Overview

Pantuwaraya Lake National Park, known in Filipino as Pambansang Liwasan ng Lawa ng Pantuwaraya, is a serene and lesser-known protected area located in the province of Lanao del Sur on the southern island of Mindanao in the Philippines.

Spanning approximately 1.2 square miles (3.1 square kilometers), the park centers on Pantuwaraya Lake, a natural freshwater lake nestled within forested hills and cultural landscapes. Designated as a national park in 1965, it remains an important ecological haven and a place of local significance, offering peaceful scenery, native biodiversity, and ties to Maranao cultural traditions.

The terrain of Pantuwaraya Lake National Park is composed of gently rolling hills, volcanic foothills, and forested slopes surrounding the central lake. The lake itself is calm and shallow, bordered by reeds, aquatic plants, and soft, grassy banks.

The area features patches of lowland and secondary forest interspersed with farmlands and traditional settlements. During the rainy season, the lake swells, feeding surrounding fields and wetlands, while the surrounding hills provide scenic overlooks of the broader Lanao landscape.

Wildlife in the park includes a modest yet ecologically important mix of native species, particularly birds and amphibians that thrive in wetland and forest-edge environments. Common birds include egrets, herons, and Philippine ducks, which forage along the lake’s shores and shallow waters.

Forest-dwelling birds such as coucals and bulbuls are also present in the wooded areas. Frogs, dragonflies, and freshwater fish inhabit the lake and its connected waterways, contributing to a balanced and productive ecosystem. Though larger mammals are not commonly seen, the lake and surrounding vegetation remain critical habitats for these smaller, water-dependent species.

The park’s central feature is Pantuwaraya Lake itself, offering a quiet, reflective atmosphere that draws visitors seeking tranquility and immersion in nature. Traditional wooden boats and bamboo rafts are sometimes used by locals for fishing or crossing the lake.

The lake is also considered culturally important, with some Maranao communities recognizing it in local stories and as part of their ancestral landscape. The area around the lake includes gently sloped paths ideal for nature walks and community picnics, providing a peaceful and accessible environment for casual exploration.

Visitors to Pantuwaraya Lake National Park typically engage in light hiking, birdwatching, lakeside relaxation, and cultural immersion. Local guides sometimes offer short boat rides or share stories about the lake’s place in regional history.

The park is primarily used by nearby residents for recreation and subsistence fishing, and while tourism infrastructure is limited, its quiet charm and natural beauty make it a rewarding stop for those exploring the interior of Lanao del Sur.

Conservation efforts in the park focus on protecting the lake’s water quality, preserving shoreline vegetation, and maintaining the surrounding forest cover. Challenges include unmanaged waste, agricultural runoff, and occasional encroachment.

However, local communities and government partners have increasingly recognized the lake’s ecological and cultural value, prompting cleanup efforts, environmental education, and informal monitoring.

Continued stewardship and sustainable management are key to ensuring Pantuwaraya Lake remains a safe and thriving natural refuge for both wildlife and people.

Park Map

Pantuwaraya Lake National Park Highlights

Wildlife

Birds

Pantuwaraya Lake National Park is also a sanctuary for forest and wetland bird species, particularly those that depend on highland lakes, montane forests, and quiet freshwater environments in the Mindanao highlands.

Philippine Duck
A vulnerable species endemic to the Philippines, the Philippine duck can be seen along the lake’s edges, feeding on aquatic vegetation, insects, and small crustaceans.

Mindanao Hornbill
This fruit-eating hornbill, endemic to the island, nests in tree cavities and travels in pairs or small groups. It plays a crucial role in dispersing seeds across the park’s forests.

Philippine Bulbul
A common and active songbird in forest edges and mid-canopy, it feeds on fruits and insects and is often heard with its cheerful calls echoing above the lake.

Philippine Coucal
This secretive ground-dwelling bird preys on frogs, lizards, and insects along forest margins. Its deep, booming call is frequently heard during the cooler morning hours.

Mindanao Scops Owl
A small, nocturnal predator that hunts insects and rodents in the forest undergrowth. It roosts in tree branches during the day and emerges at dusk with soft, hooting calls.

White-eared Brown Dove
An endemic ground-foraging dove, it feeds on fallen seeds and fruits and prefers quiet forest areas. Its gentle, repetitive cooing adds to the tranquility of the lakeside.

Philippine Serpent Eagle
Soaring above the lake’s surrounding ridges, this raptor hunts reptiles and small mammals. Its whistled calls are often heard echoing through the highland forest.

Barn Swallow
Seen gliding above the lake and open meadows, this swift aerial insectivore catches flies and mosquitoes and may nest on rocky ledges near the water.

Lowland White-eye
These tiny, green-plumaged birds travel in small flocks, feeding on nectar, insects, and fruits. They are commonly seen moving energetically through shrubs and flowering trees.

Cinnamon Ibon (possible presence)
This small and elusive Mindanao highland species may inhabit mossy forests near the lake. It feeds on insects and is typically seen in mixed-species bird flocks.

Pantuwaraya Lake National Park is a peaceful mountain sanctuary—where the cool waters of an ancient crater lake meet the wild beauty of Mindanao’s forests, offering a haven for rare mammals and highland birds in one of the most remote corners of the southern Philippines.

Pantuwaraya Lake National Park, located in Lanao del Sur on the island of Mindanao, is a protected area surrounding the scenic crater lake of Pantuwaraya. Nestled within the Piapayungan mountain range, the park features montane forests, volcanic slopes, and freshwater habitats that support a variety of wildlife. Though remote and lesser-known, it provides refuge to many native and endemic mammals and reptiles uniquely adapted to highland and riparian ecosystems in this part of Mindanao.

Philippine Warty Pig (Mindanao subspecies)
This forest-dwelling wild pig roams through the park’s wooded slopes and open grasslands, foraging for fruits, roots, and invertebrates. It helps maintain healthy forest soils and spreads seeds through its movements.

Philippine Deer (Mindanao Brown Deer)
A shy and graceful herbivore, this endemic deer browses on leaves, grasses, and forest plants. It frequents the lakeshore and forest clearings, especially during the early morning and late afternoon.

Philippine Long-tailed Macaque
Common along the lake’s edge and forest margins, this highly social monkey travels in troops and feeds on fruit, young leaves, and insects. It is also known to forage near streams and hot springs.

Mindanao Tree Shrew
A small, insectivorous mammal unique to Mindanao, this species scurries along the forest floor and low vegetation in search of insects, nectar, and fruit. It is most active during the day.

Common Palm Civet (Mindanao population)
Nocturnal and elusive, this small carnivore inhabits the park’s forest canopy and underbrush. It feeds on fruits, birds, and small mammals and is an important seed disperser in the ecosystem.

Philippine Forest Rat (Mindanao forms)
These native rodents inhabit the forest floor, rocky outcrops, and lakeside thickets. They forage for seeds, fruit, and insects and serve as prey for many native predators.

Tokay Gecko
This large, colorful, and vocal gecko hides in tree crevices and rock faces. It becomes active at night, feeding on insects, small birds, and other reptiles in the park’s moist forest zones.

Water Monitor Lizard
Often seen near the lake and its tributary streams, this powerful reptile preys on fish, amphibians, carrion, and bird eggs. It is an excellent swimmer and key predator within the park’s food chain.

Skinks (Various Mindanao species)
These sleek, fast-moving lizards are common along sunlit paths and forest edges. They feed on insects and are vital to insect population control within the park’s ecosystem.

Reticulated Python
This large constrictor may inhabit the denser forest zones or rocky slopes around the lake. It preys on rodents, birds, and small deer and remains hidden during the day.