Barangay Ma-a · Davao City · Philippines
Blackwater, ember and 12 feet of Philippine saltwater crocodile. A working crocodile farm on the bank of the Davao River, sharing its grounds with tigers, sea eagles, lories and a butterfly house.
4.4from 3,986 reviews on Google Maps
Riverfront Corporate City, Diversion Road, Barangay Ma-a, Davao City 8000, Philippines
Inside the gate
The park is built around its crocodiles — hundreds of them, at every size — but the circuit also takes in raptors, big cats, parrots, reptiles and a butterfly house. Here is what people actually remember.
The headliner
A saltwater crocodile long billed as the largest ever held in the Philippines, kept in his own pool along the main circuit. He is also the reason the park’s afternoon presentation carries his name. Expect stillness: a full-grown saltie can hold the same position for hours, and the realistic chance of seeing him move is at a scheduled feeding.
WorldTravleerAndPhotoTaker · CC BY-SA 4.0
The circuit
The walkway threads between breeding pens, grow-out ponds and viewing decks holding hundreds of animals at every size, from hatchlings in trays to twelve-footers lying jaw-to-tail in the shallows. This is a working crocodile farm as much as a zoo, and it does not hide that.
Teemu Väisänen · CC BY-SA 4.0
Raptors
Open perches hold white-bellied sea eagles and brahminy kites — birds you would otherwise have to spot over a Mindanao coastline. They sit close enough for a proper look at the feet, which is the part most people have never seen at arm’s length.
burgermac · CC BY 2.0
Timing
Davao sits nine degrees north of the equator. Between noon and three the heat flattens both the animals and the light, and there is very little worth walking through.
08:00 – 10:00
bestCoolest air of the day, thinnest crowd and the animals at their most alert. If you only have one shot at this park, take this one.
10:00 – 12:00
goodUsually catches the first wildlife or feeding presentation. Heat is climbing but the shade along the river side of the circuit still holds.
12:00 – 15:00
avoidHot, humid, and the flattest light you will get. Crocodiles are motionless, the tigers are asleep, and there is very little to photograph.
15:00 – 17:00
bestWarm low light, the afternoon presentation, and a good hand-off into dinner. Note that some listings apply a higher gate rate after 15:00 — check before you queue.
Crocodiles only
1 hour
Straight down the main circuit and out.
The standard visit
1.5 – 2 hours
Crocodiles, zoo side, butterfly house, one presentation.
With a show and lunch
3 – 4 hours
Add the cultural village and a crocodile sisig at the riverside restaurant.
Whole Riverfront day
5 hours +
Park, show, meal, plus the adventure activities in the surrounding complex.
The rest of the guide
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