Samal Island's Guiness World Record Holder: Monfort Bat Sanctuary

Located at Brgy. Tambo of Island Garden City of Samal, the Monfort Bat Sanctuary is home to now estimated 2.5 million fruit bats. It has been recognized by the Guiness World Record as home to the largest colony of Geoffrey's Rousette Fruit Bat in 2006. During that time, the bats were estimated (measured per square meter) to 1.8 million (that's a lot, right?). 

Here's the proof: 

The Monfort Bat Sanctuary is named as such because the land where the bat caves could be found is owned by the Monfort family. According to one of the sanctuary's staff, Emerry, the Monfort bought this land on 1980s but during that time, the number of fruit bats on these caves is not that numerous compared to its present count. 

When Grace and I got there, we were quite surprised with the admission fee (P100). According to their staff, they have to increase the entrance fee because of the increasing needs for maintenance of the sanctuary and also partly because of the poor support from the local government. 

Monfort Bat Sanctuary is comprise of 5 caves with varying number of fruit bats in each of them. It smells different when you've reached the 2 biggest bat caves in the area. 

Visitors are asked to observe silence so as not to disrupt the sleeping fruit bats. Eating and drinking are also prohibited. And oh, you might wonder if you could get into these caves - nope, they won't allow that.  

There are educational materials that you can find in their exhibit area. I believe this specific area was designed mainly to help the public be more aware with the importance of these fruit bats. If you have questions, their friendly staff are more than willing to address your queries. 

How to Get There:

1. Ride the Island City Express bus and tell the driver to drop you off at Babak (Fare: P30)
2. Ride a motorcycle (habal-habal) and simply tell the driver that you're visiting the Monfort Bat Sanctuary (all drivers know where it is). (Fare: P60/motorcycle so if you're traveling solo, you'll shoulder the fare on your own unless you're willing to wait for another passenger to split the fare into two)

From this point, you still have to walk a few meters to reach the caves :)