Sulawesi Birdwatching Tour

Sulawesi Birding Tours

Guarantee Departure

16 June 2025 – 30 June 2025 (Space Available)

8 July 2025 – 22 July 2025 (Space Available)

9 August 2025 – 23 August 2025 (Space Available)

9 September 2025 – 23 September 2025 (Space Available)

17 October 2025 – 31 October 2025 (Space Available)

2 November 2025 – 16 November 2025 (Space Available)

Duration 15 days

Starting City: Manado, North Sulawesi

Finish City: Makassar, South Sulawesi

Participants:  8 Persons

Rate Per Person: USD 2.365

Single Supplement: USD 325

Bird Guide:  M. Naliko, Meriba Suade, Anes Pianaung, and Jemmi Lambaihang

Overview:

Birders will find Sulawesi a real Mecca, with 112 Sulawesi’s endemic bird to go for. Sulawesi is the highest level of endemism in Indonesia, of 421 bird species known from the island, approximately 88 (27%) are found nowhere else. Fourteen genera are so unusual that they are considered unique to Sulawesi. Sulawesi has some really dazzling birds. Just a perusal of the names is enough to get the adrenalin going. Purple-bearded Bee-eater, Lilac-cheeked Kingfisher, Great Shortwing and Fiery-browed Myna. An assortment of unusual mammals, four unique species of macaque add to the excitement of being in the forest. Birders will gravitate towards the northern peninsula and central Sulawesi, where the largest areas of rain forest are found, and in particular to the huge national parks of Lore Lindu, 50 km south of the provincial capital, Palu, Dumoga Bone, on the “northern neck”, and the much smaller reserve of Tangkoko and Tomohon, on the tip of the Minahasa peninsula.

Price Includes Transportation, Accommodation (Based on a twin shared room),  Meals as indicated on the itinerary, Tour Guide Fee, Entry permit to the parks, and Donation.

Price Excludes Domestic Airplane Ticket (Manado – Palu Via Makassar by Lion Air and Palu – Makassar by Lion Air), Dinner as indicated on the itinerary, Extra beverages in the hotel/Restaurant, Soft drinks/Alcoholic drinks, laundry, phone calls, personal insurance. All personal expenses that are not mentioned on items above. Any kind of expenditures incurred due to flight cancellation/delays or due to other causes beyond our control.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Manado – Tangkoko Park
From our meeting point at Novotel Hotel Manado, after breakfast, we will drive directly to Tangkoko by car. We shall do birding along the road. Upon arrival in Tangkoko, we will check in first and after that we continue to do birding in Tangkoko Park. Night at Tangkoko Cottage. Meals (Breakfast, lunch and dinner) are included during a stay in Tangkoko.

Days 2 – 4: Tangkoko Nature Reserve Birding
This reserve on the eastern tip of the Minahassa Peninsula is one of Sulawesi’s flagship parks, the excellent lowland jungle and mangrove forest providing superb birding site, The reserve is especially famous for kingfishers, having no less than eight resident species, of which four are endemic but remember that Tangkoko also has much more to offer than its kingfisher though and with the assistance of the skilled our local team, we will be search for Lilac cheeked kingfisher, Green-backed kingfisher, Sulawesi-dwarf kingfisher, Sulawesi Pitta, Rudy kingfisher, Common kingfisher, Blue-eared kingfisher, collared kingfisher, Red-Knobbed Hornbill, Sulawesi dwarf Hornbill, Ochre-bellied boobook, Yellow-billed Malkoha, Bay Coucal, Lesser coucal, Sulawesi-Hawk eagle, Sulawesi serpent eagle, Black eagle, Black kite, Sulawesi cicada bird, Rusty-breasted cuckko, Sulawesi triller, Purple-winged roller, Ashy woodpecker, Sulawesi pygmy woodpecker, Sulawesi hanging parrot, Ornate lorikeet, Golden-mantled Racquetail, Blue-backed parrot, Grey-cheeked Green Pigeon, Black-naped Fruit dove, Green Imperial Pigeon, Grey-headed Imperial Pigeon, White-bellied Imperial Pigeon, Silver-tipped Imperial Pigeon, Sulawesi Black Pigeon, Stephan’s Dove, Brown-cuckoo dove, PhilipineScrubfowl, Barred rail, Isabeline Bush hen. During our boat trip to the mangrove we may find other species; White-rumped Cuckoo-shrike, Common kingfisher, Great-billed kingfisher, Pink-necked green Pigeon, Osprey, Great Frigatebirds, Lesser frigatebirds, Pacific reef egret, common dollar bird, Striated heron, Little tern, Sacred and Collared Kingfisher, White-bellied Sea eagle, Brahminy kite and Purple heron. After spending much of the day birding we have time also to see interesting mammals such as Black-Macacanigra, Tarsier spectrum, and bear cuscus in Tangkoko Park. Three nights will be spent in a simple lodge just outside the park. On day 4 – morning or late afternoon we will drive to Tomohon for an overnight stay. During your stay in Tomohon, meals only breakfast and lunch are included. Dinner excluded.

Day 5: Gunung Mahawu
Gunung Mahawu is a forested Volcano (1490 meters above sea level), inside the crater is a steaming, emerald-green lake ringed with yellow sulfur deposits. From the summit, you can see neighboring Mount Lokon with its ever-present plume of smoke. On a clear day, you can also see both the Sulawesi Sea on the west and to the Maluku sea to the east, Gunung Mahawu is located near the village of Rurukan where Sir Alfred Wallace lived for a while. Now Gunung Mahawu is one of the Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) in Asia by BirdLife International. In this birding place, we have some interesting Sulawesi endemic species, it is one of the easiest and most reliable sites in Sulawesi for the Scaly-breasted kingfisher- Actenoidesprinceps but please note this star bird of Sulawesi is very skittish and always hide so to spot them still need luck. Bird species at Gunung Mahawu and Tomohon; Scaly-breasted kingfisher, Lilac-cheeked kingfisher, Green-backed Kingfisher, Blue-eared Kingfisher, Collared Kingfisher, Sulawesi scops owl, Speckled boobook, Ochre-bellied boobook, Sulawesi babbler, Chestnut-backed Bush-Warbler, Sulawesi Blue-Flycatcher (split from Mangrove Blue-Flycatcher), the ultra rareRufous-throated Flycatcher, Pale-blue Monarch (split from Black-naped Monarch), Isabelline-bush hen, Barred rail, White-browed Crake, Sulawesi Myzomela, Island Flycatcher, Citrine Flycatcher, Grey-sided Flowerpecker, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker, Black-fronted White-eye, Mountain white-eye, Streak-headed Dark-eye, Mountain Tailorbird, Purple-winged Roller, Yellow-vented Whistler, Crimson Sunbird, Black Sunbird, Olive-back sunbird, Sooty-headed bulbul, Hair crested drongo, Yellow-billed Malkoha, Ashy Woodpecker, Sulawesi pygmy Woodpecker, Grey Wagtail, Yellow Wagtail, Chestnut Munia, Scaly-breasted munia, Rusty-breasted Cuckoo, Brown-cuckoo dove, superb-fruit dove, Sulawesi black-Pigeon, Sulawesi-hanging parrot, Black Eagle, Black Kite, Osprey, Spotted Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon. Meals (Breakfast and Lunch) are included. Dinner excluded.

Day 6: Tomohon – Kotamobagu
On the way to Kotamobagu, we have a great chance birding on Lake Tondano to see Purple swamphen, White-browed crake, White-breasted waterhen, Common Moorhen, Javan pond heron. Lunch en-route and late afternoon we reached Kotamobagu, Check-in a hotel. Meals (Breakfast and lunch) are included. Dinner excluded.

Days 7: Dumoga Nani Wartabone National Park
Full day morning and afternoon we will explore the Maleo breeding Center, the most handsome of all megapodes is the endemic MacrocephalonMaleo of Sulawesi. Its black-and-pink plumage, erect tail and grotesque helmet or cephalon (hence its scientific name) and characteristic rolling call make the Maleo a must for bird-watchers visiting Sulawesi. and on the same days, it is possible to help with the release of chicks back into the wild. After spending some time searching for Maleos, we will walk in this small forest patch, searching for a local endemic, Sulawesi crested Myna, White-necked Myna, Maroon-chinned Fruit-Dove, Yellow-billed Malkoha, the strange white-eyed race of Hair-crested Drongo, Black-billed Koel, Bay Coucal, Black-naped Fruit Dove, Sulawesi hanging Parrot, White-breasted Woodswallow and Sulawesi Hawk-Eagle. These forests also hold Sulawesi black Pigeon and perhaps get further chances at Sulawesi Pitta. Meals (Breakfast and Lunch) are included. Dinner excluded.

Day 8: Dumoga Nani Wartabone National Park
Fullday morning birding in Toraut, another forested section of the park, where we hope to find the regularly roosting Speckled Boobook within the park buildings, and we might see other species; Pied Cuckooshrike, Sulawesi Dwarf-Kingfisher, Lilac cheeked Kingfisher, Green-backed Kingfisher, Maroon chinned Fruit Dove, Superb fruit Dove, Grey-headed Imperial Pigeon, Red Knobbed Hornbill, Sulawesi dwarf Hornbill, Grey-headed Fish eagle, this area also good for the endemic Ivory-backed Woodswallow, and is great for mynas, with Finch-billed, White-vented and Sulawesi (Crested) Mynas, Barred (Sulawesi) Honey-Buzzard. In the afternoon we will move onto another area of the park checking the roadside paddies and wet areas for Barred and Buff-banded Rails, and Wandering Whistling-Ducks on the way. Meals (Breakfast and Lunch) are included. Dinner excluded.

Day 9: Gunung Ambang to Manado
This morning we will start very early and explore some of the surviving montane forests in GunungAmbang Nature Reserve. Here we try to find the Matinan flycatcher and we will also be hoping to encounter the beautiful the Scaly-breasted Kingfisher and if we are in luck we will spot the purple-bearded Bee-eater, Red-eared Fruit Dove, Sulawesi blue flycatcher, Sulawesi leaf warbler, Superb Fruit-dove, Ornate lorikeet, yellow and green lorikeet, Black-billed Koel, Sulawesi Pitta, Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker, Ashy Woodpecker, Malia, yellow sided flowerpecker, Sulawesi Myzomela. After a morning here we will Lunch near Gunung Ambang than after that we will drive 4 hours to reach Manado. Meals (Breakfast and lunch) are included. Dinner excluded.

Day 10: Manado – Palu Via Makassar
After your arrival in the capital Town of Central Sulawesi, From Palu, we will travel by car to Lore Lindu National Park, our base for exploring the montane forests of Lore Lindu National Park and we will stay three nights in a simple guesthouse in Wuasa, near to the national park. During your stay in Lore Lindu, meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) are included.

Days 11, 12, 13: Lore Lindu National Park
There is probably nowhere better to see Sulawesi’s unique avifauna, with 80% of the island’s endemic species, this park has a well-deserved reputation for montane specialties. our main targets here are the magnificent Sulawesi endemic of the Purple-Beared Bee-Eater, Great Shortwing, Malia, Geomalia, Chestnut-backed Bush Warbler, noisy Caerulean cuckoo shrikes, Sulawesi Cicadabirds, Black-fronted White-eye, black Sunbird, Black-naped Monarch, and the Citrine Flycatcher, Island Flycatcher, Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher, Mountain serin, Sulawesi Myzomela, Ivory-backed wood-swallow, Ornate lorikeet, Small-sparrow hawk, Maroon-backed Whistler, Heinrich nightjar, Speckled boobook, CinabarBoobook, Sulawesi scops owl, Sulawesi pygmy woodpecker, Spot-tailed Goshawk, Spotted Kestrel, lemon-bellied white-eye, Sulawesi Triller, Sulawesi cicada bird, Sulawesi serpent eagle and many more with luck! On at least one of the days we will make the climb up the infamous Anaso Track, which allows access to higher altitudes, and the possibility of Sulawesi’s sole endemic bird family – Hylocitrea (yellow flanked whistler); the strange and rare Geomalia (recently found to be an odd zoo their thrush); along with Golden-mantled and Yellow-breasted Racquet-tails, Red-eared Fruit-Dove, Maroon-backed Whistler, White-eared Myza, and Streak-headed Dark-eye. These ascents will also give us a chance at the rare Mountain Serin, Sombre Pigeon, and with luck, we might see the Purple-bearded Bee-eater known as the world’s most interesting bee-eater. There is also often the chance to find Diabolical Nightjars roosting during the day. On day 13 – late afternoon we will drive back to Palu for an overnight stay. In Palu, only breakfast and lunch are included. Dinner excluded.

Day 14: Palu – Makassar
Breakfast at the hotel afterward transfers to Palu Airport a flight to Makassar. Afternoon trips can be taken to Makassar and ricefield and fishponds for Pale-headed Munia, Black-faced Munia, ChesnutMunia, White-shouldered triller, Javan Pond Heron, White-headed Stilt, Sacred Kingfisher, lesser coucal. During stay in Makassar, meals (breakfast and lunch) are included. Dinner excluded.

Day 15: Karaenta forest – Makassar – Next destination
Karaenta to Lore Lindu National Park. Early morning breakfast at the hotel then we will travel up into the forested limestone hills north of Makassar city. Karaenta Nature Reserve is a good place to spot an endemic that is confined to South Sulawesi the local Black-ringed White-eye, This forest also provides a good chance to see the Sulawesi Dwarf Hornbill, Yellow-billed Malkoha, Red Knobbed Hornbill, Sulawesi crested Myna, Piping Crow, Sulawesi Goshawk and with luck the White-necked Myna. In this forest, we might also find the Sulawesi Streaked Flycatcher (recently described in 2015. after this trip, we will transfer you to Makassar airport for your next destination. End of the trip. Breakfast included.

PLEASE NOTE:

This is a sample itinerary subject can change due to weather conditions and safety reasons.

Details:

ACCOMMODATION

Based on twin share room, In Tangkoko (Tangkoko Hill Cottage or Similar), in Tomohon (Villa Emitta Tomohon), in Kotamobagu (Sutan Raja Hotel Kotamobagu), in Manado (Novotel Hotel Manado), in Lore Lindu (Penginapan Nasional Guesthouse), in Palu (Swiss Belhotel Silae Palu), and in Makassar (Ramang-ramang Makassar).

TYPE OF LAND TRANSPORTATION & ROAD

We will use a minibus or cars. The road is some parts in good condition and some parts in bad condition. While for the mangrove boat trip we will use a small boat.

FLIGHT

We will have 2 flights during this trip, first from Manado to Palu Via Makassar by Lion Air and then from Palu to Makassar by Lion Air. 

MEETING SERVICE AND DEPARTURE TIME

Meeting Service: 15 June 2025 at 04.00 pm, Novotel Hotel Manado. Trip Begin: 16 – 30 June 2025

Meeting Service: 07 July 2025 at 04.00 pm, Novotel Hotel Manado. Trip Begin: 08 – 22 July 2025

Meeting Service: 08 August 2025 at 04.00 pm, Novotel Hotel Manado. Trip Begin: 09 – 23 August 2025

Meeting Service: 08 September 2025 at 04.00 pm, Novotel Hotel Manado. Trip Begin: 09 – 23 September 2025

Meeting Service: 16 October 2025 at 04.00 pm, Novotel Hotel Manado. Trip Begin: 17 – 31 October 2025

Meeting Service: 01 November 2025 at 04.00 pm, Novotel Hotel Manado. Trip Begin: 02 – 16 November 2025

TOUR GUIDE, This trip will be provided with English speaking guide during the whole trip and a local guide (who owns/guard the land) for each place in Sulawesi

WALKING CONDITION, The walking ranges from easy to moderate, but there will be one harder days in Lore Lindu, Gunung Ambang and Tangkoko.

CLIMATE, Most days in the lowlands will be hot and humid for much of Sulawesi, with a chance of heavy, tropical, some rains at any time. Cool in the mountains in Lore Lindu, Gunung Ambang & Gunung Mahawu in Tomohon.

INFO TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS , A valid passport is required; the passport must be valid for at least six months past your intended stay. Visas on arrival in Indonesia can be obtained for tourists from the US, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and EU countries for stays of under 30 days. There is a fee for this, payable in cash (in US Dollars). Travel requirements are subject change; we recommend double-checking entry requirements six weeks prior to the tour or ask our office staff for help.

WHAT TO BRING?

- Waterproof binoculars of about 8-power are best for maximum light-gathering in the shades of the forest.

- A tripod-mounted spotting scope (telescope) is valuable in open habitats along roadsides, especially for birds in the canopy.

- A lightweight digital sound recorder, with a speaker suitable for playback and a directional microphone, greatly aids in learning vocalizations and luring shy vocal species into view.

- Loose-fitting, lightweight clothing and a hat with some sort of visor to shield the eyes from sun or rain.

- It is often very cool at dawn but hot at midday, wearing layers that can be easily removed.

- Loose long pants and lightweight, good quality walking boots are often the most comfortable combination. Conditions in the mountains are much cooler, so prepare to keep warm.

- Insect repellent is required in some localities.

- A lightweight poncho or rain jacket. It is sometimes useful to carry a larger umbrella.

Our hilux 4WD special for Bird of Paradise Photo Trip to Southwest Papua

 

Maibri Birding Ecolodge Arfak Mountains, West Papua

Maibri Birding Ecolodge

Please note that it is impossible to forget the first time you see a Western Parotia Bird of Paradise Dance. 

Bird of Paradise Lists that you can see at Maibri Birding Ecolodge Arfak include Western Parotia, Magnificent Bird of Paradise, Superb Bird of Paradise, or new name Vogelkop Lophorina, Lesser Bird of Paradise, Black-billed Sicklebill, Magnificent Riflebird, Glossy-mantled Manucode, Trumpet Manucode, and Crinkle-collared Manucode.

Guest’s review

In November 2023 we visited Arfak Mountains in West Papua and stayed in Maibri Birding Ecolodge for 5 nights. If you want to have views of the Birds-of-Paradise of David Attenborough quality, this is the place to be. It takes some patience because you stay in hides for hours, but the sight of dancing Vogelkop Lophorina and Magnificent Bird-of-Paradise will last forever. The forest where they live is beautiful and hosts a lot more biodiversity, although the birding is not easy. The lodge itself is basic but clean and comfortable. It’s situated directly on the main road on the edge of a small Papuan village near the forest. You can both interact with the friendly people who live here and at the same time enjoy nature (my moth net attracted hundreds of beautiful moth species at night). Everything is within a radius of not more than 3 km, so you don’t waste time traveling.

About Maibri Birding Ecolodge, Arfak Mountains, Papua

Maibri Birding Ecolodge in Arfak Mountains, Is only a two-hour drive from Manokwari. It's located in a beautiful Arfak highlands village called Kampung Maibri. Our new lodge offers excellent service, comfortable 3 rooms for 6 guests, and excellent food cooked by our professional chef  "Mr. Presly", We have a hot water shower, the lodge is clean and the right place to stay in Arfak Mountains.  The accommodation is run and managed by Sultan Birding with the local Man called Niko, They work together with

the community to put up a small ecotourism accommodation, which makes it easy to explore the surrounding forest in the early morning and late afternoon. Because the bird watchers and bird photographers are important to the Maibri villagers’ income, the local people protect the forests.

Malagufuk Birding, Birding Malagufuk, Malagufuk Eco Village, Papua by Sultan Birding

Malagufuk Eco Village is a small jungle village in the Klasow valley of Sorong Regency in Southwest Papua Province. Malagufuk Eco Village is located quite deep in the lowland forest of Klasow Valley. It’s easy to reach (only two hours by car from Sorong) and very remote (3.5 hours of walking from the main road to the village). The small community has put up a small ecotourism accommodation, which makes it easy to explore the surrounding forest in the early morning and late afternoon. Because the bird watchers are important to the villagers’ income, the local people protect the forests. Birding here equals walking, you won’t be in a car during your whole stay.

Malagufuk BirdLists

Bird of paradise you can see in Malagufuk:

Magnificent bird of paradise, Magnificent Riflebird, King Bird of Paradise, Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise, Lesser Birds of Paradise, and Glossy-mantled Manucode.

Malagufuk also have almost all of the lowland endemic species of the region are in the one friendly village that is fast becoming dedicated for birders who enjoy finding endemics, There are species here that are very difficult to see anywhere including; Wallace Owlet-nightjar, Beautiful Fruit Dove, Orange-bellied Fruit Dove, Wompoo Fruit Dove, Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Ornate Fruit Dove, Brown Cuckoo Dove, Great-cuckoo Dove, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Western-crowned Pigeon, Thick-billed Ground Pigeon, Green-naped Pheasant Pigeon, Blue Jewel Babbler, Rainbow Bee-eater, Yellow-faced Myna, Golden Myna, Greater Black Coucal, Blue-black Kingfisher, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Azure Kingfisher, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra,

Sacred Kingfisher, Lowland Peltop, White-bellied Cuckooshrike, Boyer's Cuckooshrike, Red-bellied Pitta, Hooded Pitta, Shining Flycatcher, Grey-streaked Flycatcher, Variable Goshawk, Grey-headed Goshawk, Tawny-breasted Honeyeater, Spangled Drongo, Black Sunbird, Olive-crowned Flowerpecker, Hooded Butcherbird, Oriental Dollarbird, Glossy Swiftlet, Moustached Treeswift, Metallic Starling, Rufous Owl, Papuan Nightjar, Northern Cassowary, Emperor Fairywren, Papuan Babbler, Little Shrike-thrush, Helmeted Friarbird, Yellow-bellied Longbill, Frilled Monarch, Rusty Pitohui, Black-browed Triller, Black-sided Robin, Olive-crowned Flowerpecker, Oriental Cuckoo, Forest Bittern, Eclectus Parrot, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Palm Cockatoo, Black Lory, Black-capped Lory, Large Fig Parrot, Red-cheeked Parrot, Coconut Lorikeet Lorikeet, Blyth's Hornbill, Nankeen Night Herron, Torresian Crow.

 

 

 

Papua Birding 2024

 Papua birding trip 15 days / 14 nights

Birding code: 0110/15 days/PWBT
Summary: Jayapura Nimbokrang, Arfak, Malagufuk Lowland, Waigeo, Sorong – Indonesia
Day 1: Jayapura – Nimbokrang
Day 2: Nimbokrang
Day 3: Nimbokrang – Jayapura
Day 4: Jayapura – Manokwari – Arfak
Day 5: Arfak
Day 6: Arfak
Day 7: Arfak – Manokwari
Day 8: Manokwari – Sorong – Malagufuk
Day 9: Malagufuk
Day 10: Malagufuk – Sorong
Day 11: Sorong – Waigeo
Day 12: Waigeo
Day 13: Waigeo
Day 14: Waigeo – Sorong
Day 15: Sorong – Next destination

Papua birding trip 15 days / 14 nights
Birding code: 0111/15 days/PWPBT
Summary: Arfak Mountain, Malagufuk Lowland, Waigeo, Nimbokrang Jayapura – Indonesia
Day 1: Manokwari – Arfak
Day 2: Arfak
Day 3: Arfak
Day 4: Arfak – Manokwari – Sorong
Day 5: Sorong – Malagufuk
Day 6: Malagufuk
Day 7: Malagufuk – Sorong – Waigeo
Day 8: Waigeo
Day 9: Waigeo
Day 10: Waigeo – sorong
Day 11: Sorong – Jayapura – Nimbokrang
Day 12: Nimbokrang
Day 13: Nimbokrang
Day 14: Nimbokrang – Jayapura Sentani
Day 15: Jayapura – Next destination

Sulawesi Birding Tour cover Malino, Ramang ramang, Lore Lindu, Tangkoko Park

Upcoming Departure 2024

Sulawesi Birding Trip 15 days / 14 Nights
Price US$  Per Person ( Min. 2 Person)

Price included: English Speaking Bird Guide, Mineral water, Snacks, Meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), Accommodation during the trip, Entrances to Parks and Reserves, Local guides, local park ranger, birding site fee, landowner fee, Private car.

Price not included: Domestic flight tickets, Insurance, Alcoholic Beverages, Laundry, Tips, All personal expenses that are not mentioned on the items above, and Any kind of expenditures incurred due to flight cancellation/delays or due to other causes beyond our control. Kindly please book in advance to ensure availability.

Sulawesi birding trip for 2024,  please choose one of the summaries  of  new birding plans below:

Sulawesi birding trip 15 days / 14 nights
Birding code: 01/15 days/SBT
Summary:
day 01: Makassar arrival – Malino
day 02: Malino birding full day
day 03: Malino – Ramang ramang
day 04: Ramang-ramang birding
day 05: Raman ramang – Airport, fly to Palu – Lore Lindu
day 06: Lore Lindu National Park
day 07: Lore Lindu National Park
day 08: Lore Lindu – Palu
day 09: Palu – Makassar – Manado – Tomohon
day 10: Tomohon Gunung Mahawu birding
day 11: Tomohon – Tangkoko
day 12: Tangkoko Nature Reserve
day 13: Tangkoko Nature Reserve
day 14: Tangkoko Nature Reserve – Manado (tongkaina)
day 15: Morning birding in Gunung Tumpa – Transfer to the airport

Sulawesi birding trip 15 days / 14 nights
Birding code: 02/15 days/SBT
Summary:
day 01: Manado arrival – Tangkoko Nature Reserve
day 02: Tangkoko
day 03: Tangkoko
day 04: Tangkoko – Tomohon
day 05: Tomohon
day 06: Manado – Makassar – Palu – Lore Lindu
day 07: Lore Lindu National Park
day 08: Lore Lindu – Palu
day 09: Palu – Makassar – ramang2
day 10: ramang – ramang
day 11: ramang – ramang
day 12: Ramang – ramang to Malino
day 13: Malino
day 14: Malino – Makassar
day 15: Transfer to the airport

What is included?

• English Speaking Bird Guide fee
• Mangrove boat Trip near Tangkoko Park
• Meals, daily breakfast, lunch, and Dinner
• All accommodations during the trip
• Entrances to Parks and Reserves
• Local guide fee / Local ranger fee
• Car Transport during the trip

What is not included?

• Insurance
• Alcoholic Beverages
• Airfare or domestic flights
• Laundry
• Tips
• All personal expenses that are not mentioned on the items above.
• Any kind of expenditures incurred due to flight cancellation/delays or due to other causes beyond our control.

Payment Term and Condition
We require a minimum of 50% deposit payment to confirm your booking, we cannot guarantee your booking until this has been received. Bookings will be held for 7 days to allow the client time to send a deposit payment. We reserve the right to release the booking if the deposit is not received within 7 days of the booking being made. Changes of dates to bookings after the deposit has been made can be done but will be subject to availability.
Cancelation: Deposit payment No Refund, No show – full payment charge.
Full Payment, The full payment will be required at least 30 days prior to your date of arrival. The invoice amount has to be paid in full, net of all transfer costs and bank charges.

TYPE OF LAND TRANSPORTATION & ROAD
We will use a minibus or cars. The road is some part in good condition and some parts in bad condition. While for the mangrove boat trip, we will use a small boat.

BIRD GUIDE
This trip will be provided with an English speaking bird guide during the whole trip and a local guide (who owns/guard the land) for each place in Sulawesi

LIABILITY
Sultan Birding Tours acts only as agents for the passenger in regard to travel, whether by railroad, motorcar, motor coach, boat, or airplane, and assumes no liability for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, or irregularity which may be occasioned either by reason of defect in any vehicle or for any reason whatsoever or through the acts or default of any company or person engaged in conveying the passenger or in carrying out the arrangements of the tour. Sultan Birding Tours can accept no responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delays or changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike, war, quarantine, or other causes. All such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the passenger, as tour rates provide for arrangements only for the time stated. Baggage is at the owner’s risk entirely. The airlines concerned and their agents and affiliates are not to be held responsible for any act, omission, or event during the time passengers are not on board their aircraft.

Introducing Sulawesi, Dazzling Birds on An Island Rich in Culture
Sulawesi has some really dazzling birds. Just a perusal of the names is enough to get the andrenalin going: Purple-bearded Bee-eater, Sulawesi Lilac cheeked Kingfisher, Fiery-browed Myna, and Great-Shortwing. An assortment of unusual mammals – the strange Babirusa of “pig deer”, The rare see Anoa ( a dwarf buffalo), three unique species of tarsier, and seven unique species of macaque – add to the excitement of being in the forest. World-class snorkeling and diving are available whenever you need to cool off. Birders will gravitate towards the northern peninsula and central Sulawesi, where the largest areas of rainforest are found, and in particular to the huge national parks of Lore Lindu, 100 km south of the provincial capital, Palu.  Dumoga Bone, on the “northern neck”, and the much smaller reserve of Tangkoko – Dua Sudara, on the tip of the Minahasa peninsula. with 120 endemic species to go for, the birder will find Sulawesi a real Mecca. it is quite possible to see 80% of these endemics in a 3 – week trip with a little effort and planning. Sulawesi is the highest level of endemism in Indonesia, of 421 bird species known from the island, approximately 88 (27%) are found nowhere else. Fourteen genera are so unusual that they are considered unique to Sulawesi.

For those wishing to get well off the beaten track, however, Sulawesi has a fascinating collection of satellite islands to explore. Muna and Buton, off the southeast corner, are the largest, but the most interesting for birders are the Banggai Islands – home to a unique megapode and crow – off the Western peninsula, and Sangihe and Talaud, which have the dubious distinction of supporting the highest concentration of threatened birds species in Indonesia.

This 189,000 sq km island also boasts impressive landscapes and a fascinating range of cultures. Sulawesi is in essence a group of volcanoes and, if global warming were to raise the sea level just a few meters, it would become a cluster of islands separated by narrow straits, as the Philippines archipelago is today. Indeed, this was how Sulawesi appeared 4,000 years ago. Ritual in Sulawesi, as elsewhere in the archipelago, is not a rich part of the social calender but also an arena to display and assure health and status. Best known are the death rites of the Toraja, a distant ethnic group inhabiting the gloriously scenic Tana Toraja highlands in South Sulawesi. The Toraja are also famous for their beautifully carved “origin” houses, and effigy-guarded cliffside graves.

Papua Bird Photo Trip: Arfak, Malagufuk, Fakfak, and Waigeo

 Papua Bird Photo Trip: Arfak, Malagufuk, Fakfak, and Waigeo

Papua Bird Photo Trip: Arfak, Malagufuk, Fakfak, and Waigeo

Papua Bird Photo Trip: Arfak, Malagufuk, Fakfak and Waigeo

Space available from January to December 2024

Our Price is US$ per person

Duration: 15 days / 14 nights

Starting city: Manokwari (West Papua)

Ending city: Sorong (SouthWest Papua)

Physical difficulty: moderate to difficult

Focus: Bird photography

Max group size: 6 – 7 Pax + 1 Sultan Birding Tour Leader + local guide (every birding place)

Tour Itinerary

Day 01: Manokwari – Arfak Maibri Birding Ecolodge

Day 02, Day 03, Day 04: Arfak, Maibri Birding Ecolodge

With so much to see here, we will spend four full days birding the various forests, gardens, and other secondary habitats that flank the mountains, and hold many of the tour’s standout birds. We will visit the display grounds of Magnificent Bird-of-Paradise, Western Parotia, and the bower of the Vogelkop Bowerbird, one of the great architects of the bird world, with an extraordinarily large and decorative bower that far outshines the dour bird itself!  While these may arguably be the most famous targets in the mountains, the list of other birds is both extensive and tantalizing, and includes the likes of Vogelkop Superb BoP, If we are extremely lucky we might catch up with Masked Bowerbird, Vulturine Parrot, or the New Guinea Harpy Eagle. The nights will be spent at a community guesthouse. Sometimes owlet-nightjars, Feline Owlet-Nightar, papuan-frogmouth, and Papuan Boobook can be found in daylight.

(We can help you also to arrange the optional camping trip to see: Long-tailed Paradigalla, Arfak Astrapia, Black Sicklebill, and Splendid Astrapia.)

Day 05: Arfak – Manokwari - Sorong – Malagufuk

Early morning at 4 AM from Maibri Birding Ecolodge transfer by 4WD car to the airport of Manokwari for a flight to Sorong then drives to Malagufuk.

Day 06: Malagufuk

Day 07: Malagufuk

Day 08: Malagufuk – Sorong Airport – Fakfak by Wings Air 

Day 09: Fakfak

Day 10: Fakfak

Day 11: Fakfak – Sorong – Waigeo

your arrival in Sorong and then will be transferred directly to Waigeo island with a fast and comfortable ferry which departs at 2 PM. On Waigeo island you will stay 2 nights in a comfortable resort with great views both from the beach to the forest. This island located in Raja Ampat archipelago, arguably boasts the most-wanted birds on the tour. The display sites of both Red Bird-of-paradise and the awe-inspiring Wilson’s Bird-of-paradise will be visited during our days on the island. To make it even better, these sites are easy to reach after short 10-minute walks.

 

Day 12: Waigeo Island

Just a few of the many species that we might encounter include Blyth’s Hornbill, Eclectus Parrot, Emperor Fairywren, Orange-fronted Fruit Dove, and Papuan Drongo. We need to wake up 30 minutes early at 4.30 for breakfast. At 05.00 am we visit the hide of Wilson’s Bird of Paradise until lunch. From our resort, it takes around 25 minutes drive to the stop point and we continue to walk around 20 minutes to the hide. The afternoon schedule will be birding along the roadside.

Day 13: Waigeo Island

In addition to the aforementioned ‘BoPs, the lowlands of this island offer a huge list of birds, including the localized Raja Ampat Pitohui, Great-billed and Moluccan King- Parrots, Claret-breasted, Orange-bellied and Dwarf Fruit-Doves, Palm Cockatoo, Coconut Lorikeet, Yellow-faced Myna, Papuan Pitta, elusive White-eared Catbird, Brown-headed Crow, New Guinea Friarbird, and Golden Monarch and the Waigeo Cuscus. Our morning will start just like yesterday and after all preparation, we step up to the Red Bird of Paradise hide. From the resort, we will drive around 25 minutes to the stop point and walk for 15 minutes to the hide. You can enjoy the bird playing until 8 or 9 am and we go back to the resort for lunch. The afternoon schedule will be birding along the roadside.

Day 14: Waigeo Island – Sorong 

We still have a one-morning bird photo in Waigeo, Lunch at 12 O’clock, and 1 PM transferred to the harbor for a boat departure at 2 PM back to Sorong.

Day 15: Sorong – Airport

TRIP CONSIDERATIONS

PACE: Moderate to Intense. This tour will require long days in the fields and early starts on most days. On some portions of the trip, especially those spent in the hot lowlands, we will have some time off in the middle of the day. At higher elevations, in the Arfak, the birding can stay active all day, and we will have a more intense pace.

PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY: Moderate to occasionally difficult. A lot of the birding is on dirt roads and easy logging tracks and trails, although there will also be a few difficult hikes, some of which are optional. 

CLIMATE: New Guinea lies in the equatorial zone and is surrounded by warm tropical seas, with a humid tropical climate and many mountain ranges causing great variation in rainfall. This ranges from moderate to very high, with some montane regions having more than 10,000 mm of rainfall per annum. Temperatures along the coast are hot, above 30oC, but at very high altitudes it can drop below freezing at night, though snowfall is apparent only above 3800 m, and mainly in West Papua, where some relict glaciers remain. 

Clouds and fog are frequent, especially in the morning and late afternoon, though mornings typically are clear and sunny. Rain tends to come in the afternoon, often being quite heavy but sometimes not lasting for too long, although highland areas can experience quite long wet periods. Clouds cover the mountains and promote the growth of epiphytes and mosses, with very high humidity in the lowland and hill forests. 

ACCOMMODATIONS: There is no camping on this tour. However, many of the guesthouses used are quite simple, and some of them only have shared bathroom facilities. In the Arfak, there is only electricity for a couple of hours each night. All other locations have full-time electricity. WIFI is only available in the town hotel.

INFO TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: A valid passport is required; the passport must be valid for at least six months past your intended stay. Visas on arrival in Indonesia can be obtained for tourists from the US, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and EU countries for stays of under 30 days. There is a fee for this, payable in cash (in US Dollars). Travel requirements are subject to change; we recommend double-checking entry requirements six weeks prior to the tour or asking our office staff for help.

PACKAGES INCLUDED: Accommodation from day 1 through into day 15; meals from dinner on day 1 through to breakfast on day 15, safe drinking water throughout; one arrival and one departure airport transfer per person; ground transport for the group to all sites in the itinerary; Express Boat (VIP Ticket) to get to Waigeo; entrance fees to all birding sites mentioned in the itinerary.

NOT INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGES: Domestic flights during the tour, tips for optional luggage porters in city hotels; camera/luggage porters in the jungle, international flights; snacks; additional drinks apart from those included; alcoholic beverages; visa fees (payable on arrival in Indonesia); departure tax when leaving Indonesia; travel insurance; excursions not included in the tour itinerary; extras in hotels such as laundry service, minibar, room service, telephone calls, tips to drivers, local guides, and lodge staff; and personal items; medical fees; other items or services not specifically mentioned as being included.

BIRDING IN NEW GUINEA

Bird Photography in New Guinea is exciting but difficult and demanding, although the rewards can be fantastic and some charismatic groups are simply “world-class”, parrots, pigeons, kingfishers, and bird-of-paradise being obvious examples. Birds here are usually shy, light conditions and weather are often challenging, the terrain difficult, transport problematic, and not to mention logistic problems (including frequent unexpected airline-schedule changes). Security problems are ever-present but generally not major, provided that you follow the usual protocols: 

1. Make sure that you have local people to facilitate access to land, and agree with them in advance how much you are paying and to whom. Most disputes arise over land access, which is very different from Western norms. 

2. Do not wear valuable jewelry or carry expensive items in urban areas, and be particularly cautious in any large towns. Security in rural areas is usually much less of an issue, and so long as you have local people along you will be unlucky to encounter major problems. Most people are friendly and intrigued by birders and what they are up to, but do explain carefully what you are doing.

3. Be patient. Losing your temper and demanding things will give the opposite results to what is desired; the phenomenon of payback is alive and well in New Guinea and covers minor things, as well as serious tribal disputes. 

Travel in West Papua is quite challenging but has improved immeasurably of late, although the infrastructure may be far less developed and it is advisable to have a good level of fitness to tackle steep trails and wet muddy conditions or hot humid lowlands. Security matters are generally better also. 

Papua Bird Photo Trip: Waigeo, Fakfak and Arfak Mountains

Papua Bird Photo Trip: Waigeo, Fakfak, and Arfak Mountains
Space available from January – December 2024
Our Price is US$ per person
Duration: 12 days / 11 nights
Starting city: Sorong (Southwest Papua)
Ending city: Manokwari (West Papua)
Physical difficulty: moderate to difficult
Focus: Bird photography
Max group size: 5 – 6 Pax + 1 Sultan Birding Tour Leader + local guide (every birding place)

Sample Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival Sorong – Waigeo Island
The tours begin with your arrival in Sorong and then will be transferred directly to Waigeo island with a fast and comfortable ferry. On Waigeo island you will stay 3 nights in a comfortable resort with great views both from the beach to the forest. This island located in Raja Ampat archipelago, arguably boasts the most-wanted birds on the tour. The display sites of both Red Bird-of-paradise and the awe-inspiring Wilson’s Bird-of-paradise will be visited during our days on the island. To make it even better, these sites are easy to reach after short 10-minute walks.

Day 2: Waigeo Island
Just a few of the many species that we might encounter include Blyth’s Hornbill, Eclectus Parrot, Emperor Fairywren, Orange-fronted Fruit Dove, and Papuan Drongo. We need to wake up 30 minutes early at 4.30 for breakfast. At 05.00 am we visit the hide of Wilson’s Bird of Paradise until lunch. From our resort, it takes around 25 minutes to drive to the stop point and we continue to walk around 20 minutes to the hide. The afternoon schedule will be as follows.

Day 3: Waigeo Island
In addition to the aforementioned ‘BoP’s, the lowlands of this island offer a huge list of birds, including the localized Raja Ampat Pitohui, Great-billed and Moluccan King- Parrots, Claret-breasted, Orange-bellied and Dwarf Fruit-Doves, Palm Cockatoo, Coconut Lorikeet, Yellow-faced Myna, Papuan Pitta, elusive White-eared Catbird, Brown-headed Crow, New Guinea Friarbird, and Golden Monarch and the Waigeo Cuscus. Our morning will start just like yesterday and after all preparation we step up to the Red Bird of Paradise hide. From the resort, we will drive around 25 minutes to the stop point and walk for 15 minutes to the hide. You can enjoy the bird playing until 8 or 9 am and we go back to the resort for lunch. The afternoon schedule will be as follows.

Day 4: Waigeo Island – Sorong - Fakfak
At 9 AM in the morning we will sail to Sorong.  Then by Wings air to Fakfak at 2 PM. 

Day 5: Fakfak

Day 06:Fakfak

Day 07:Fakfak – Sorong – Fave Hotel Sorong

Day 08:Sorong – Manokwari – Arfak Maibri Birding Ecolodge

Day 09, Day 10, Day 11:Arfak, Maibri Birding Ecolodge
With so much to see here, we will spend four full days birding the various forests, gardens, and other secondary habitats that flank the mountains, and hold many of the tour’s standout birds. We will visit the display grounds of Magnificent Bird-of-Paradise, Western Parotia, and the bower of the Vogelkop Bowerbird, one of the great architects of the bird world, with an extraordinarily large and decorative bower that far outshines the dour bird itself!  While these may arguably be the most famous targets in the mountains, the list of other birds is both extensive and tantalizing, and includes the likes of Vogelkop Superb BoP, If we are extremely lucky we might catch up with Masked Bowerbird, Vulturine Parrot, or the New Guinea Harpy Eagle. The nights will be spent at a community guesthouse. Sometimes owlet-nightjars, Feline Owlet-Nightar, papuan-frogmouth, and Papuan Boobook can be found in daylight.

(We can help you also to arrange the optional camping trip to see: Long-tailed Paradigalla, Arfak Astrapia, Black Sicklebill, and Splendid Astrapia.)

Day 12: Arfak – Manokwari – Transfer Out, END OF THE TRIP
Early morning at 4 AM from Maibri Birding Ecolodge transfer by 4WD car to the airport of Manokwari. End of the trip

TRIP CONSIDERATIONS
PACE: Moderate to Intense. This tour will require long days in the fields and early starts on most days. On some portions of the trip, especially those spent in the hot lowlands, we will have some time off in the middle of the day. At higher elevations, in the Arfak, the birding can stay active all day, and we will have a more intense pace.

PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY: Moderate to occasionally difficult. A lot of the birding is on dirt roads and easy logging tracks and trails, although there will also be a few difficult hikes, some of which are optional. 

CLIMATE: New Guinea lies in the equatorial zone and is surrounded by warm tropical seas, with a humid tropical climate and many mountain ranges causing great variation in rainfall. This ranges from moderate to very high, with some montane regions having more than 10,000 mm of rainfall per annum. Temperatures along the coast are hot, above 30oC, but at very high altitudes it can drop below freezing at night, though snowfall is apparent only above 3800 m, and mainly in West Papua, where some relict glaciers remain. Clouds and fog are frequent, especially in the morning and late afternoon, though mornings typically are clear and sunny. Rain tends to come in the afternoon, often being quite heavy but sometimes not lasting for too long, although highland areas can experience quite long wet periods. Clouds cover the mountains and promote the growth of epiphytes and mosses, with very high humidity in the lowland and hill forests. 

ACCOMMODATIONS: There is no camping on this tour. However, many of the guesthouses used are quite simple, and some of them only have shared bathroom facilities. In the Arfak, there is only electricity for a couple of hours each night. All other locations have full-time electricity. WIFI is only available in the town hotel.

INFO TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: A valid passport is required; the passport must be valid for at least six months past your intended stay. Visas on arrival in Indonesia can be obtained for tourists from the US, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and EU countries for stays of under 30 days. There is a fee for this, payable in cash (in US Dollars). Travel requirements are subject to change; we recommend double-checking entry requirements six weeks prior to the tour or asking our office staff for help.

PACKAGES INCLUDED: Accommodation from day 1 through into day 12; meals from dinner on day 1 through to breakfast on day 12, safe drinking water throughout; one arrival and one departure airport transfer per person; ground transport for the group to all sites in the itinerary; Express Boat (VIP Ticket) to get to Waigeo; entrance fees to all birding sites mentioned in the itinerary.

NOT INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGES: Domestic flights during the tour, tips for optional luggage porters in city hotels; camera/luggage porters in the jungle, international flights; snacks; additional drinks apart from those included; alcoholic beverages; visa fees (payable on arrival in Indonesia); departure tax when leaving Indonesia; travel insurance; excursions not included in the tour itinerary; extras in hotels such as laundry service, minibar, room service, telephone calls, tips to drivers, local guides, and lodge staff; and personal items; medical fees; other items or services not specifically mentioned as being included.

BIRDING IN NEW GUINEA
 Birdwatching in New Guinea is exciting but difficult and demanding, although the rewards can be fantastic and some charismatic groups are simply “world-class”, parrots, pigeons, kingfishers, and bird-of-paradise being obvious examples. Birds here are usually shy, light conditions and weather are often challenging, the terrain difficult, transport problematic, and  not to mention the logistic problems (including frequent unexpected airline-schedule changes). Security problems are ever-present but generally not major, provided that you follow the usual protocols:

• Make sure that you have local people to facilitate access to land, and agree with them in advance how much you are paying and to whom. Most disputes arise over land access, which is very different from Western norms. 

• Do not wear valuable jewelry or carry expensive items in urban areas, and be particularly cautious in any large towns. Security in rural area is usually much less of an issue, and so long as you have local people along you will be unlucky to encounter major problems. Most people are friendly and intrigued by birders and what they are up to, but do explain carefully what you are doing.

• Be patient. Losing your temper and demanding things will give the opposite results to what is desired; the phenomenon of payback is alive and well in New Guinea and covers minor things, as well as serious tribal disputes. 

Travel in West Papua is quite challenging but has improved immeasurably of late, although the infrastructure may be far less developed and it is advisable to have a good level of fitness to tackle steep trails and wet muddy conditions or hot humid lowlands. Security matters are generally better also. 

Papua Bird Photo Trip: Waigeo, Fakfak, Arfak and Nimbokrang

Papua Bird Photo Trip: Waigeo, Fakfak, Arfak and Nimbokrang

Space available from January – December 2024

Our Price US$ per person

 

OVERVIEW

Duration: 15 days / 14 nights

Starting city: Sorong (Southwest Papua)

Ending city: Jayapura (Papua)

Physical difficulty: moderate to difficult

Focus: Bird photography

Max group size: 5 – 6 Pax + 1 Sultan Birding Tour Leader + local guide (every birding place)

 

Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival Sorong – Waigeo Island

The tours begin with your arrival in Sorong and then will be transferredviews directly to Waigeo island with a fast and comfortable ferry. On Waigeo island you will stay 3 nights in a comfortable resort with great view both from the beach to the forest. This island located in Raja Ampat archipelago, arguably boasts the most-wanted birds on the tour. The display sites of both Red Bird-of-paradise and the awe-inspiring Wilson’s Bird-of-paradise will be visited during our days on the island. To make it even better, these sites are easy to reach after short 10-minute walks.

Day 2:Waigeo Island

Just a few of many species that we might encounter include Blyth’s Hornbill, Eclectus Parrot, Emperor Fairywren, Orange-fronted Fruit Dove, and Papuan Drongo. We need to wake up 30 minutes early at 4.30 for breakfast. At 05.00 am we visit the hide of Wilson’s Bird of Paradise until lunch. From our resort it takes around 25 minutes drives to the stop point and we continue to walk around 20 minutes to the hide. Afternoon schedule will be following.

Day 3: Waigeo Island

In addition to the aforementioned ‘BoP’s, the lowlands of this island offer a huge list of birds, including the localized Raja Ampat Pitohui, Great-billed and Moluccan King- Parrots, Claret-breasted, Orange-bellied and Dwarf Fruit-Doves, Palm Cockatoo, Coconut Lorikeet, Yellow-faced Myna, Papuan Pitta, elusive White-eared Catbird, Brown-headed Crow, New Guinea Friarbird, and Golden Monarch and the Waigeo Cuscus. Our morning will start just like yesterday and after all preparation we step up to the Red Bird of Paradise hide. From resort we will drive around 25 minutes to the stop point and walk for 15 minutes to the hide. You can enjoy the bird playing until 8 or 9 am and we go back to the resort for lunch. Afternoon schedule will be following.

Day 4: Waigeo Island – Sorong - Fakfak
At 9 AM in the morning we will sail to Sorong.  Then by Wings air to Fakfak at 2 PM.

Day 5: Fakfak

Day 06: Fakfak

Day 07: Fakfak – Sorong

Day 08: Sorong – Manokwari – Arfak

Day 09, Day 10, Day 11: Arfak, Maibri Birding Ecolodge
Arfak Mountain
With so much to see here, we will spend four full days birding the various forests, gardens and other secondary habitats that flank the mountains, and hold many of the tour’s standout birds. We will visit the display grounds of Magnificent Bird-of-Paradise, Western Parotia, and the bower of the Vogelkop Bowerbird, one of the great architects of the bird world, with an extraordinarily large and decorative bower that far outshines the dour bird itself! While these may arguably be the most famous targets in the mountains, the list of other birds is both extensive and tantalizing, and includes the likes of Vogelkop Superb BoP, If we extremely lucky we might catch up with Masked Bowerbird, Vulturine Parrot, or the New Guinea Harpy Eagle. The nights will be spent at a community guesthouse. Sometimes owlet-nightjars, Feline Owlet-Nightar, Papuan Frogmouth, and Papuan Boobook can be found by daylight. (We can help you also to arrange the optional camping trip to see: Long-tailed Paradigalla, Arfak Astrapia, Black Sicklebill, Splendid Astrapia.)

 

Day 12: Arfak – Manokwari – Jayapura - Nimbokrang
After taking a morning flight to Sentani, we head for Nimbokrang, and the lowland forests of the north for a three-night stay. In the afternoon we may stake out a clearing that is an excellent site for raptors, pigeons, and the bounty of parrots that grace the Papuan lowlands

Day 13 and Day 14: Nimbokrang
This lowland site may be hot and sweaty, but it is loaded with special birds – a major theme on this tour! King Bird-of-paradise, Twelve-wired Bird-of-paradise, Hook-billed, Shovel-billed and Blue--black Kingfishers, Vulturine Parrot, and Blue Jewel-Babbler, are just some of the birds on offer, though all of these species require a combination of luck and effort.

Day 15: Transfer Out
After long days of birding tour finally it’s time to say goodbye. You will have your flight back to your home town. End of the trip.

 

BIRDING IN NEW GUINEA

Birdwatching in New Guinea is exciting but difficult and demanding, although the rewards can be fantastic and some charismatic groups are simply “world-class”, parrots, pigeons, kingfishers, and bird-of-paradise being obvious examples. Birds here are usually shy, light conditions and weather are often challenging, the terrain difficult, transport problematic, and not to mention the logistic problems (including frequent unexpected airline-schedule changes). Security problems are ever-present but generally not major, provided that you follow the usual protocols:

·         Make sure that you have local people to facilitate access to land, and agree with them in advance how much you are paying and to whom. Most disputes arise over land access, which is very different from Western norms.

·         Do not wear valuable jewelry or carry expensive items in urban areas, and be particularly cautious in any large towns. Security in rural areas is usually much less of an issue, and so long as you have local people along you will be unlucky to encounter major problems. Most people are friendly and intrigued by birders and what they are up to, but do explain carefully what you are doing.

·         Be patient. Losing your temper and demanding things will give the opposite results to what is desired; the phenomenon of payback is alive and well in New Guinea and covers minor things, as well as serious tribal disputes.

Travel in West Papua is quite challenging but has improved immeasurably of late, although the infrastructure may be far less developed and it is advisable to have a good level of fitness to tackle steeps trails and wet muddy conditions or hot humid lowlands. Security matters are generally better also.

 

TRIP CONSIDERATIONS

PACE: Moderate to Intense. This tour will require long days in the fields and early starts on most days. On some portions of the trip, especially those spent in the hot lowlands, we will have some time off in the middle of the day. At higher elevations, in the Arfak, the birding can stay active all day, and we will have a more intense pace.

 

PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY:

Moderate to occasionally difficult. A lot of the birding is on dirt roads and easy logging tracks and trails, although there will also be a few difficult hikes, some of which are optional.

 

CLIMATE:

New Guinea lies in the equatorial zone and is surrounded by warm tropical seas, with a humid tropical climate and the many mountain ranges causing great variation in rainfall. This ranges from moderate to very high, some montane regions having more than 10,000 mm of rainfall per annum. Temperatures along the coast are hot, above 30^oC, but at very high altitudes it can drop below freezing at night, though snowfall is apparent only above 3800 m, and mainly in West Papua, where some relict glaciers remain.

Clouds and fog are frequent, especially in the morning and late afternoon, though mornings typically are clear and sunny. Rain tends to come in the afternoon, often being quite heavy but sometimes not lasting for too long, although highland areas can experience quite long wet periods. Clouds cover the mountains and promote the growth of epiphytes and mosses, with very high humidity in the lowland and hill forests.

 

ACCOMMODATIONS:

There is no camping on this tour. However, many of the guesthouses used are quite simple, and some of them only have shared bathroom facilities. In the Arfak, there is only electricity for a couple of hours each night. All other locations have full-time electricity. WIFI only available in the town hotel.

 

INFO TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

A valid passport is required; the passport must be valid for at least six months past your intended stay. Visas on arrival in Indonesia can be obtained for tourists from the US, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and EU countries for stays of under 30 days. There is a fee for this, payable in cash (in US Dollars). Travel requirements are subject change; we recommend double-checking entry requirements six weeks prior to the tour or ask our office staff for help.

 

PACKAGES INCLUDED:

Accommodation from day 1 through in to day 15; meals from dinner on day 1 through to breakfast on day 15, safe drinking water throughout; one arrival and one departure airport transfer per person; ground transport for the group to all sites in the itinerary; Express Boat (VIP Ticket) to get to Waigeo; entrance fees to all birding sites mentioned in the itinerary.

 

NOT INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGES:

Domestic flights during the tour, tips for optional luggage porters in city hotels; camera/luggage porters in the jungle, international flights; snacks; additional drinks apart from those included; alcoholic beverages; visa fees (payable on arrival in Indonesia); departure tax when leaving Indonesia; travel insurance; excursions not included in the tour itinerary; extras in hotels such as laundry service, minibar, room service, telephone calls, tips to drivers, local guides, and lodge staff; and personal items; medical fees; other items or services not specifically mentioned as being included.