Cebu Safari and Adventure Park sits in the hills of Carmen, in the north of the island, and is the largest wildlife attraction on Cebu. The grounds cover about 170 hectares and are home to well over a thousand animals across roughly 120 species. The centrepiece is the African savanna, an open enclosure that you cross in a safari vehicle, with lions, hyenas, gazelles and meerkats among the animals you can expect to see. Around it sit an aviary dome with large flightless birds and endangered parrots, a macaw aviary, a breeding and research centre for parrots, and Michel's Garden, a planted area with orchids and other rare plants. Interactive feeding sessions and animal shows fill out the day, and the park also runs adventure rides such as ATV tracks, a zipline and a sky bike for visitors who want something more active. It is a long way from the sea and the waterfalls of the south, so it works best as a contrast day: a full change of scenery that suits families, groups of mixed ages and anyone who has had enough of boats.
How it works
The ticket gives you entry to the park, and the standard visit is a self-paced walk between the zones with the savanna vehicle drive as the highlight. Carmen is a drive from Cebu City and Mactan, so most visitors arrive by pre-arranged car or van rather than public transport, and the road climbs into the hills for the last stretch.
The park has generally opened on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, with the gates opening in the morning and closing late afternoon. Because opening days and the availability of individual facilities can change, check the days before you commit and confirm which shows and rides are running.
What to expect
Plan on most of a day. The savanna drive is the part everyone remembers, and the aviary is a calm contrast with its colourful parrots and macaws. Keep time for the feeding sessions and shows, which are scheduled through the day and are the best chance for children to get close to the animals.
The adventure rides are optional extras for older children and adults, and they add both time and cost, so decide in advance whether you want them. Wear comfortable shoes, bring a hat and sun protection, and carry water, because the grounds are large and shade is patchy.
Making the most of it
Arrive at opening to see the animals at their most active before the heat builds, and take lunch at the park rather than rushing back to the road. The park pairs naturally with the highlands tour or a northern Cebu day, and it makes a good break between two days of sea and canyon activity.
Families will get the most from it, and couples travelling with a teenager will find enough variety to keep everyone happy. If you only have a short stay, the heritage sights and island hopping will give you more of Cebu's character, but for a rainy-season day when the sea is rough, this is a dependable alternative.
Practical notes
The park is a working conservation and breeding site as well as an attraction, so follow the keepers' instructions around the animals and do not feed anything outside the organised sessions. Lockers and food stalls are available, but bring cash for small purchases. Check the park's own announcements for any closed facilities before you travel, and allow a generous buffer for the drive back, since the roads out of the hills can slow down in the afternoon.
What to expect
The experience
Self-paced entry to a large hillside wildlife park, with a safari vehicle drive through the African savanna, an aviary, animal shows and optional adventure rides.
Best time
Arrive at opening, when the animals are most active and the heat is lower, and check which days the park is open before you plan.
How long
Four to six hours in the park, plus the drive from Cebu City or Mactan.
Tips
Wear comfortable shoes, carry water and sun protection, and confirm which shows and rides are running on your day.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Families and mixed-age groups who want a change from the beach and the boat.
- Families
- Children enjoy the savanna drive, the parrots and the feeding sessions, and the pace is easy to adjust.
- Couples
- A relaxed, different day out, with the adventure rides for those who want some thrills.
- Pair with
- The highlands tour in the hills above Cebu City, or a quiet evening in the city.
- Time needed
- A full day including the drive.
Good questions
Where is Cebu Safari and Adventure Park?+
It is in the hills of Carmen, in the north of Cebu island, a drive from Cebu City and Mactan.
What animals will I see?+
The savanna holds animals such as lions, hyenas, gazelles and meerkats, and the aviaries hold cassowaries, endangered lories, macaws and other parrots.
Which days is the park open?+
It has generally opened Friday to Sunday and on holidays, but confirm the days before you travel because schedules and facilities can change.
Are the adventure rides included?+
ATV rides, the zipline and the sky bike are optional extras, so decide beforehand whether you want to add them.
How long should I allow?+
Allow most of a day, with four to six hours inside and the drive on top.
