Tarsier Philippines Night Forest — Bohol
The Philippine tarsier at Bohol's Tarsier Sanctuary is one of the world's smallest primates — 85–160 grams — and one of the most bizarre: its enormous eyes each larger than its brain are fixed in position and can only be moved by rotating the entire head 180 degrees, and it is one of only two primates that communicates using ultrasonic vocalisations inaudible to humans. Wild tarsiers at the Corella and Sikatuna Forest sanctuaries are reliably found at their daytime roost branches in the secondary forest at 2–3 metres height, the individual's eyes apparently closed while sleeping but opening immediately if disturbed. An encounter with a tarsier in its forest roost — the enormous eyes open in the torchlight, the head rotating to locate the observer — is one of Southeast Asia's most characteristic wildlife experiences.
About this spectacle
Deep in the secondary forest of Bohol's Corella and Sikatuna sanctuaries, visitors encounter one of nature's most arresting sights: a Philippine tarsier clinging to a slender branch at eye level, its enormous amber eyes — each larger than its own brain — opening wide in the torchlight. The creature sits motionless at first, then slowly rotates its head 180 degrees to fix you with an unblinking gaze that feels almost mechanical in its precision. At 85–160 grams, it is barely the weight of a small apple, yet its presence is overwhelming. The forest is quiet; the tarsier communicates in ultrasonic frequencies you cannot hear. In daylight hours the eyes appear closed, the animal sleeping upright on its roost branch just 2–3 metres above the forest floor. Return after dark and those eyes snap open, pupils vast and luminous — an intimate, otherworldly encounter that lingers long after you leave the trees.
When to go
Year-round
Getting there
Nearest airport: TAG. Nearest city: Tagbilaran.
Booking options
Goyova doesn't process bookings directly. When you tap "Plan this trip" in the app, you'll see options from our partner providers — accommodation, tours, transport — with affiliate links where applicable. See our affiliate disclosure for details.
More like this.
Peak season Aardvark Night Foraging — Kalahari Botswana
Maun, Central District, BW
Peak season Aardvark Night Foraging — Kalahari South Africa
Upington, Northern Cape, South Africa
Returns Jan 2027 Adélie Penguin Highway — Ross Sea Antarctica
Cape Royds, Antarctica, AQ