Start: 16th January 2026 | End: 25th January 2026 | Meeting location: Davao City | Spaces available: 7
Included in the tour:
- Expert herpetologist & Filipino guides.
- Accommodation.
- Transportation.
- Meals & drinks.
- Permit/activity fees.
INTRODUCTION
Expedition Samarensis is our debut field herping expedition to The Philippines, and for that reason we had to make it special. This expedition is based entirely around Davao City in south-eastern Mindanao, in the far south of The Philippines. We will stay at 3 separate locations during this expedition, all within 1 hour's distance from each other, in order to minimise journey times and maximise time searching. Our first location is Davao City, then the island of Samal, and lastly the highlands of Toril. The expedition is named after its number 1 target, the Samar cobra (Naja samarensis), an endemic to the southern Philippines faunal region. This species has historically been extremely difficult to find in the wild, but with our locations and the expertise of our local guides, we have an extremely high chance of encountering this species, as well as many other remarkable rarities and Philippine-exclusive species. This expedition will be intense and physically demanding, with many hours of hiking during both the daytime and night, where it will be very hot and humid. Our accommodations will be very comfortable and we will eat at western-catered restaurants for most meals.
Nights 1 - 4: DAVAO CITY
The expedition begins in Davao city, where our number one target will be the incredible Samar cobra (Naja samarensis). We will explore quiet corners of urban parks, agricultural lands and village edges for this extremely adaptable snake, checking every crevice and under every flippable item on our search to find a large adult. The Naja samarensis in this region are the high-black morph which contrasts incredibly with the yellow markings and interstitial skin, very different from the most common morph in captivity. We will dedicate as many days necessary to finding this spitting cobra, which is very common in the right habitat albeit highly secretive.
The forested stream valleys and overgrown agricultural lands outside Davao are also home to a thriving population of the Mindanao king cobra (Ophiophagus sp.), a currently undescribed species of the king cobra complex. Of course, these are still rare and incredibly difficult to find, but we will make sure we venture out in the daytime to the right habitat as many times as possible to give us the greatest chance of encountering one. While hiking streams for king cobra in the daytime, we may find the bright yellow morph of the Philippine vine snake (Ahaetulla p. preocularis) and many other very beautiful snakes, such as red-tailed racer (Gonyosoma oxycephalum) and Philippine paradise flying snake (Chrysopelea p. variabilis). We can also see the Mindanao yellow-headed monitor (Varanus cumingii) while hiking, although these are almost impossible to catch.
We will embark on multiple daytime flipping trips, where we will hike through agricultural lands and flip as many piles of coconuts, rocks, and artificial cover as possible. This method can turn up several interesting snakes and lizards, such as Graceful short-legged skink (Brachymeles gracilis), juvenile Samar cobra (Naja samarensis), Philippine shrub snake (Oxyrabdium modestum) and the very rare Southern triangle-spotted snake (Cyclochlorus nuchalis) - both of the latter being Philippine endemic genus. However, our biggest target while flipping through the coconut piles will be the Philippine coral snake (Calliophis philippina), a venomous and secretive snake (which we can also find while hiking trails at night).
While in Davao City, we will hunt avidly at night for the North-Philippine temple viper (Tropidolaemus subannulatus). Davao is the type locality for this widespread species, so this is the 'true' Tropidolaemus subannulatus which looks remarkably different from the morphs from other islands in its range. Young individuals have impressive blue and bright red bands, while large adult females are distinguished by their broad black and blue bands on the dark green dorsum. They are far from the most common snake in the area, but we have a good chance to see multiple individuals across our nights spent searching. The Mindanao clade of dog-toothed cat snake (Boiga cf. cynodon) is also abundant in the same habitats, and extremely beautiful.
Samar cobra (Naja samarensis)
Samar cobra (Naja samarensis)
North-Philippine temple viper (Tropidolaemus subannulatus)
Dog-toothed cat snake (Boiga cynodon)
Philippine vine snake (Ahaetulla prasina preocularis)
Exploring stream valleys.
Maren's bronzeback (Dendrelaphia marenae).
Flipping coconuts in the countryside.
Philippine shrub snake (Oxyrabdium modestum).
North-Philippine temple viper (Tropidolaemus subannulatus)
Brachymeles gracilis.
Hiking agricultural lands.
Red-tailed ratsnake (Gonyosoma oxycephalum).
Two adult Samar cobras (Naha samarensis).
Mindanao king cobra (Ophiophagus sp.)
Philippine coral snake (Calliophis philippina).
Adult female North-Philippine temple viper (Tropidolaemus subannulatus)/
Nights 5 & 6: SAMAL ISLAND
After our 4 nights exploring Davao City, we will take a ferry from the nearby pier to Samal Island, a very short journey. Here, we will relax for the daytime next to the beautiful clearwater sea and get a rest after an intense first 4 days. In the evening, we will venture into the interior of the island to hike around streams for the beautiful Mindanao mangrove cat snake (Boiga dendrophila latifasciata). This species does not occur on the mainland near Davao City, so this island is our only chance to see this impressive snake.
In the mountainous valleys on the east of Samal Island, we will search for the Philippine ground snake (Stegonotus muelleri), sometimes known as Mueller's wolf snake. This strange snake can reach almost 2 meters in length and is often found inside caves or hunting around rocks. It is rare on the mainland, but locals have reported several sightings from Samal island. We will likely encounter several other snakes on this island, which can include the Philippine bronzeback (Dendrelaphis philippensis), Philippine paradise flying snake (Chrysopelea p. variabilis), more individuals of the North-Philippine temple viper (Tropidolaemus subannulatus) and even king cobra (Ophiophagus sp.). At the end of our nights, we can also head down to the beaches to search for sea kraits (Laticauda sp.) which are common around small islands in The Philippines.
Mindanao mangrove cat snake (Boiga dendrophila latifasciata).
Philippine paradise flying snake (Chrysopelea p. variabilis).
Juvenile Philippine shrub snake (Oxyrabdium modestum).
Philippine bronzeback (Dendrelaphis philippensis).
Rocky coastal area.
Blue-lipped sea krait (Laticauda laticaudata).
Common wolf snake (Lycodon capucinus).
Quiet sandy beaches.
Mindanao mangrove cat snake (Boiga dendrophila latifasciata).
North-Philippine temple viper (Tropidolaemus subannulatus).
Philippine vine snake (Ahaetulla p. preocularis).
Nights 7 - 9: TORIL
We return to the mainland early on day 7, and drive from Davao City to Toril, a district west of the city comprising mostly of highlands up to 1,200 meters. These highlands will be the focus of our first 2 days in the area, as this is home to the Mindanao clade of the Philippine pit viper (Trimeresurus cf. flavomaculatus), often referred to as Trimeresurus schadenbergi. This distinctive morph is much rarer than the typical Trimeresurus flavomaculatus found across the more northern islands in The Philippines, so we will make sure we maximise our search effort here to find at least one individual. Males of this clade have broad red bands which encircle the body, but we have only seen females here in the past. This expedition, the goal is to find an adult male.
While in the highlands, we will get out for several daytime herping sessions where we can target diurnal species not possible at other locations on this expedition, such as the rare highland-endemic spotted water snake (Tropidonotus dendrophiops) and the slightly more common white-lined keelback (Rhabdophis auriculatus). At night, several other Mindanao-endemic snakes can be found here. The zig-zag lined keelback (Rhabdophis lineatus) is definitely the most common, but we will keep out eyes peeled for the Mindanao kukri snake (Oligodon maculatus) and Dumeril's wolf snake (Lycodon dumerilii) - both extremely uncommon species. Other snakes such as the mock viper (Psammodynastes cf. pulverulentus), Gervais' reed snake (Calamaria gervaisii) and blunt-headed slug snake (Aplopeltura boa) occur in the area. It is also possible to find king cobra (Ophiophagus sp.) in the highlands.
Unlike the previous two locations, the damp forests of Toril are also good for frogs. Our team have seen the Mindanao horned frog (Pelobatrachus stejnegeri), Mindanao sticky frog (Kalophrynus sinensis), local clade of Saffron-bellied frog (Chaperina cf. fusca), Asiatic tree frog (Leptomantis bimaculatus) and smooth-skinned shurb frog (Philautus worcesteri) to name a few. The best lizard in the area is the banded supple skink (Sphenomorphus fasciatus), a big target for this expedition.
On our final day, we will visit a river near Toril where there is a remnant population of Philippine sailfin dragon (Hydrosaurus pustulatus). We will try to spot these basking during the daytime. If we are unsuccessful, we can return at night and search for them sleeping. This area has a lot of snakes, especially North-Philippine temple viper (Tropidolaemus philippensis) and Philippine shrub snake (Oxyrabdium modestum). The following day, we will drive back to Davao city where the expedition will end.
Mindanao/Philippine pit viper (Trimeresurus cf. flavomaculatus).
Lush highland rainforest in Toril.
Zig-zag lined keelback (Rhabdophis lineatus).
Dumeril's wolf snake (Lycodon dumerilii).
Mock viper (Psammodynastes cf. pulverulentus).
Asiatic tree frog (Leptomantis bimaculatus).
False gecko (Pseudogekko sp.)
Mindanao/Philippine pit viper (Trimeresurus cf. flavomaculatus).
Highland valley hiking.
Mindanao/Philippine pit viper (Trimeresurus cf. flavomaculatus).
Mindanao kukri snake (Oligodon maculatus).
Philippine sailfin dragon (Hydrosaurus pustulatus).
Mindanao horned frog (Pelobatrachus stejnegeri).
Accommodation:
The accommodation on this expedition is good quality hotels, with a comfortable bed air conditioning at each location. You will always have access to electricity and a western bathroom, as well as air-conditioning/fan. We will have an opportunity for laundry on day 4 of the expedition.
Food:
We will mainly eat at good quality western-catered restaurants during this trip, but will also eat some fast food and local food when we are low on time or in more remote areas.
Environmental conditions & fitness:
This expedition involves very high amounts of of hiking during the daytime and at night, so you must self-assess yourself to ensure you are capable of this endeavour. The terrain in the valleys can be steep and slippery, so chances of falling over or getting wet are high. Of course, not every hike is mandatory, but you will certainly be hiking in the field a lot during this trip. The temperatures will often exceed 30 degrees celsius in the daytime, and even the highlands can be very hot if there is no rain. As January is the end of the rainy season, we expect multiple rain showers during the expedition.
Travel information:
All participants must arrive in Davao City at the designated meeting location by 14:00 (2pm) on the 16th January 2026. The exact meeting location will be communicated in private around 1 month before the start of the expedition. The best means to access Davao is by plane, either via Manila or Singapore. We will return to Davao City by at 14:00pm (2pm) on the 25th January 2026, where the expedition will officially end.
It is the guests’ responsibility to meet all entry requirements needed to enter The Philippines, including visa procedures. Most countries are visa-free when entering The Philippines, but make sure to check the entry requirements for your country before booking.
