Mindanao, the most southern point of the Philippines, is the second largest island group in the archipelago and a nature lover's paradise. It is also a destination which will appeal to the adventure traveller and those interested in gaining insight into tribal village people. Here, stilt houses and diving for coveted South Sea pearls are still part of the traditional way of life.

Davoa del Sur

Davao del Sur in south-eastern Mindanao is a place of natural wonders and boasts the country's highest peak Mount Apo; the most prized Philippine orchid species; some of the most exotic fruits; and the endangered Philippine eagle. It is also home to ethnic groups such as the Bagobos, the Mandayas, the Mansakas, the Atas, the Kalagans, the Tagakaolos and the Mangguangans, whose culture and way of life has been preserved.

The province stretches from Davao City in the north to Sarangani Island in the south and is bounded by the province of Davao (formerly Davao del Norte) in the north, the Celebes Sea in the south, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and South Cotabato in the west and the Davao Gulf in the east. It is composed of sandy beaches and outlying islands, agricultural plains and valleys, rainforests, swamps, rolling hills and mountains.

Davao City is at the head of the gulf and is the world's largest city, sprawling across 244,000 hectares. The Davao River runs through the city which is divided into eight political districts. The capital of Davao del Sur is Digos in the centre of the province, 57 kilometres south of Davao City.

Davao enjoys a mild, pleasant climate year-round and because of its geographical location is rarely visited by typhoons. There is no pronounced wet or dry season and temperatures range from 25ºC to 28ºC in summer. The one-million-plus people are an ethnic mix of Muslims, Visayans, Tagalogs, Chinese, Japanese and Spanish with the indigenous tribes concentrated in the central plains and the western shores of the Davao Gulf.

Mount Apo is Davao's unique natural wonder and is an inactive volcano with thundering waterfalls, rapids, lakes, geysers, sulphur pillars, primeval trees, endangered plant and animal species and a steaming blue lake.

While in Davao, visit the Mount Apo Science Foundation 27 kilometres south of Davao City in Bayabas. The site is cool and has sweeping views of Mount Apo and the Davao Gulf. Another stop is the Orchid Garden, home of the 'waling waling' flower, considered to be the most beautiful among all Philippine orchids. The most popular gardens are the Puentespina Orchid Garden in Davao City, the Yuhico Orchid Gardens in Greenhills and the Derling Worldwide Orchid Corp in Dumoy.

The Philippine Eagle Nature Centre is a nature conservatory in Calinan responsible for breeding this rare endangered species, and Caroland Farms, a 60 hectare farm in Bago about 13 kilometres south of the city, is a bird and wild duck sanctuary, a perfect camping site for bird-watchers.

Davao City attractions include Dabaw Etnika at the Mandaya Weaving Centre where tribal women brought from the east coast of Mindanao demonstrate their weaving tradition, while the men turn the fabric into items of clothing or wall hangings. Dabaw Museum offers visitors a glimpse of Mindanao's diversity through tribal costumes and artefacts on display. Lon Wa Buddhist Temple and San Pedro Cathedral are architectural tributes to Davao's religious diversity.

Other worthwhile attractions are the Todaya Falls, a 300 foot drop in Sibulan; Samal Island east of the mainland with its sandy beaches, coral reefs and a 900 metre shoreline; Kaputian's three caves used for burial by the Kalagan and Isamal tribes; Talicud Island for snorkelling; Talomo Beach, site of the World War II Japanese and American landings; and Sarangani and Balut Island 13 kilometres from Tinaka Point, mainland Mindanao's southern-most tip. Balut Island, in particular, is famed for its white sand beaches, exotic seashells, hot springs and its 862 metre volcano.

Zamboanga

Exotic Zamboanga is the melting pot of the south as five tribal groups can be found in and around the area. They are the Badjao, Subanon, Sama, Tausug and the Yakan. Though the Muslim influence is seen in the architecture, Zamboanga's population is 80% Christian.

The most popular attractions in this province are Fort del Pilar, Pasonanca Park with its botanical garden, Rio Hondo and Taluksangay, both villages where the Samal tribe live in huts on stilts.  

Santa Cruz Island