Papua Birdwatching

Overview

Arfak Mountains,  at what is arguably the premier birding site on this side of West Papua. This part of the island has a rich set of endemics all its own, plus a huge variety of widespread forest species. In a few days will bird at an elevation of 5250ft/1600m, and we will bird a range of elevations above and below here. We will spend five 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, Vogelkop Lophorina (Superb BoP), 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!  If we are extremely lucky we might catch up with the Masked Bowerbird, Vulturine Parrot, or the New Guinea Harpy Eagle.

Itinerary

Day 1: Manokwari - Maibri Birding Ecolodge
Upon Arrival at Manokwari Airport, we drive directly to Arfak Mountain using 4 WD. We spend around 2 hours reaching Maibri Birding Ecolodge in Maibri Village, Arfak Mountains. Before lunch, we can visit the feeding station of Young Western Parotia first. We walk down from the main road to the hide for around 30 minutes. There are some species of Bird of Paradise in that spot including female Magnificent Bird of Paradise, female and male Blackbilled Sicklebill, female Lesser Bird of Paradise, female Vogelkop Superb Bird of Paradise and sometimes Greenback Robin also shows up. And after that at 11.30 we go back to the guesthouse for Lunch. After lunch, at 01.30 pm we can continue to the hide of Magnificent Bird of Paradise until 05.00 pm and back to the guesthouse for our dinner.

Day 2: Maibri Birding Ecolodge, Arfak
Wake up for breakfast at 05.00 am in the morning. at 05.30 we walked to the Western Parotia hide. The range between the main road and the hide is around 20 to 30 minutes walk. At 11.00 am back to the guesthouse to have lunch. After lunch, at 01.30 pm we continue to the Vogelkop Bowerbird. For Vogelkop Bowerbird we need at least 20 minutes walk from the main road. At 05.00 pm back to the guesthouse and as usual, we have dinner.

Day 3: Maibri Birding Ecolodge, Arfak
Just like yesterday, we woke up for breakfast at 05.00 am and went to the Superb Bird of Paradise hide at 05.30 am. We walk down and up for around 30 minutes. As usual, back to the guesthouse at 11.00 am and had lunch. After lunch at 01.30, we can discuss and decide do you want to go back into Superb Bird of Paradise hide or move to another bird species and stay there until 05.00 pm after that back to the guesthouse. 

Day 4: Maibri Birding Ecolodge, Arfak
On this last day, we wake up just as usual at 05.00 am in the morning and have breakfast. At 05.30 we go straight to the Magnificent Bird of Paradise hide and photograph the bird until 11.00 and back to the guesthouse to have our lunch. After lunch, we continued afternoon birding.

Day 5: Maibri Birding Ecolodge, Arfak
we wake up for breakfast at 05.00 am and go to the Superb Bird of Paradise hide at 05.30 am. We walk down and up for around 30 minutes. As usual, back to the guesthouse at 11.00 am and had lunch. After lunch at 01.30, we will check out from Arfak and depart to Manokwari for an overnight stay.

Day 6: Manokwari – next detination. End of the trip

PACKAGES INCLUDED:
Accommodation from day 1 through into day 6; meals from dinner on day 1 through to breakfast on day 6, safe drinking water throughout; Transfer in and out from airport; ground transport for the group to all sites in the itinerary; 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 the 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, tips to drivers, local guides, and lodge staff, room service, telephone calls, and personal items; medical fees; other items or services not specifically mentioned as being included.
Kindly please send us an email to info@papuabirding.com if you want to book this trip