Mount Apo Natural Park in Davao, Philippines

Mount Apo is considered a favorite destination of extremist climbers because of its slopes forest of exotic flora, steaming geysers, rainwater lakes, swift-flowing rivers, and cascading waterfalls. The Department of Tourism Regional Office usually allows climb in around March or April.

It is one of the richest botanical mountains in the region hosting hundreds of rare, endemic and threatened species of flora. There are 629 of identified floral species 42 of which are endemic and 18 species are considered at risk, including the Vanda sanderiana (Waling-Waling) which is known as the “Queen of Philippine Orchids.”

There are endangered species that lives there specifically the Philippine Eagle mostly preys on monkeys, flying lemurs, flying squirrels, and occasionally, pigs and goats. Mount Apo is also a sanctuary for some rare birds such as the flycatcher, fairy blue birds, flower catchers, coltos, doves, sunbirds, and racket-tailed parrots.

Located 32 kilometers west of Davao City, and the provinces of Davao del Sur and North Cotabato; The 64,053.00 hectares Mount Apo Natural Park is dominated by the highest mountain in the Philippine archipelago at 2,954 m. Although, there is also Mt. Talomo appears to be an extinct volcano in the area, but Mt. Apo, though it is quiescent at this time, has numerous vents producing steam and sulphurous gases.

Mount Apo was declared as National Park by late President Manuel L. Quezon on May 9, 1936 through Presidential Proclamation No. 59 with an aggregate area of 76,900 hectares. However, it was amended by former President Carlos P. Garcia through issuance of Proclamation No. 413 which converted some 3,946 hectares into agricultural areas reducing the park’s land area to 72,954 hectares. On September 24, 1996, President Fidel Ramos issued another Proclamation 882 declaring Mt.Apo as protected area under the category of Natural Park.