The Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary is a vast wetland of swamp forests, watercourses and lakes covering an area of nearly 15,000 hectares, roughly the size of Metro Manila! It is accessible via a 1.5 hour motorized boat ride from the township of Bunawan, Agusan del Sur. The Agusan Manobo are the indigenous people that live in and around the protected area. Many of them live in floating houses that rise with the changing water levels.
The marsh is also valuable habitat for Philippine crocodiles and water birds such as species of wild ducks, herons and egrets. It is also the refuge of the rare Oriental Darter (Anhinga melanogaster) and Purple Swamp Hen (Porphyrio porphyrio) and the threatened Philippine Hawk Eagle, Spotted Imperial Pigeon and Rufous-lored Kingfisher.
HOW TO GET HERE: From Butuan City in Agusan del Norte, hop on a Davao-bound bus like Bachelor Express and alight at the bus terminal in Bunawan town.
Good photos! Is it safe to travel there for foreigners?
Hi Adventure, yes the Agusan provinces are safe for foreigners! Do visit – it’s a unique landscape. This where Lolong, the world’s largest captive crocodile was found…