Birdwatching Papua, Sorong, Waigeo, Arfak, and Nimbokrang
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Overview
Experience the breathtaking beauty of Papua through our exclusive birdwatching trips. Our journey begins on Waigeo Island, where you'll have the chance to spot incredible species like the Wilson’s Bird of Paradise, with its stunning courtship displays, and the vibrant Red Bird of Paradise, known for its dazzling plumage. Other highlights include the iridescent Glossy Manucode, the majestic Western Crowned Pigeon, the striking Palm Cockatoo, and the colorful Beach and Yellow-billed Kingfishers. Don't miss the opportunity to observe the unique Hook-billed Kingfisher, the charming Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, the elusive Papua Frogmouth and Marble Frogmouth, and the enchanting Papuan Boobook.
Next, we'll ascend to the enchanting Arfak Mountains, a haven for bird enthusiasts. Here, gaze in awe at the Western Parotia, a marvel of nature with its elaborate dance. Witness the breathtaking plumage of the Magnificent and Superb Birds of Paradise and the striking Black-billed Sicklebill. Also, keep your eyes peeled for the Masked and Vogelkop Bowerbirds and the elusive Feline Owlet Nightjar.
Our adventure continues to the lush lowlands of Nimbokrang, where you can spot the mesmerizing Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise, the delightful Lesser Bird of Paradise, and the vibrant King Bird of Paradise. The area is also home to the beautiful Papuan Pitta and Eastern Hooded Pitta, along with the stunning Common Paradise Kingfisher.
This unforgettable birdwatching trip operates year-round, from January to December. For bookings and more information, don't hesitate to get in touch with us via email at info@papuabirding.com. Join us for an extraordinary experience in one of the world’s most biodiverse regions!
Pricing Details
The cost for this experience is expressed in US dollars per person. Please note that for individuals wishing for private accommodation, there is a single supplement fee of US$ 690. This additional charge applies to those who prefer not to share a room, ensuring you have space throughout your stay.
Inclusions
Your birding package offers a comprehensive experience that includes:
- Accommodation: Comfortable lodging based on a twin-share room arrangement.
- Meals: Daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner, featuring a variety of local cuisine.
- Beverages: Provision of mineral water throughout your stay.
- Transportation: All necessary land transport will be organized for your convenience.
- Guiding Services: An English-speaking bird guide will accompany you to enhance your knowledge and appreciation of the local avifauna.
- Boat Transfers: Public express boat services from Sorong to Waigeo and back, ensuring a smooth travel experience.
- Fees: All applicable park entrance fees, hidden fees for birdwatching, and local landowner fees are included in the price.
Exclusions:
Please note that the following expenses are not covered in the package:
- Domestic Flight Tickets: Travel arrangements to and from the starting and ending cities are not included.
- Camera Porter: Optional service for assistance in the jungle, available at IDR 300.00 per day.
- Optional Tours: Any additional tours outside the itinerary can be arranged at an extra cost.
- Travel Insurance: We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance to cover unexpected incidents.
- Tips: Gratuities for local guides, drivers, and landowners are not included. It's customary to tip based on your satisfaction with their services.
- Seafood and Beverages: Extra charges for specialty seafood items such as lobster, shrimp, and large fish, as well as cold drinks like beer and juices, will be billed separately.
Group Size Limit:
The tour is designed for a group size of 6 participants, accompanied by 1 Tour Leader and a Local Guide for an intimate and personalized experience.
This comprehensive itinerary outlines a 15-day adventure designed to explore a variety of destinations and experiences. Each day is filled with opportunities for birding trips, ensuring a well-rounded journey.
- Starting City: Sorong, Southwest Papua
- Ending City: Sentani, Jayapura, Papua
Local Bird Guides
Your birdwatching adventure will be led by knowledgeable local bird guides, either Harmeen or Meriba, whose expertise will enrich your exploration of the region's unique bird species.
We look forward to providing you with an unforgettable experience filled with the natural wonders of Papua!
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 express boat. on Waigeo island you will stay 3 nights in a comfortable resort with a great view both from the beach to the forest. This island located in the 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 15 to 20 minutes to drive to the stop point and we continue to walk around 5 to 10 minutes to the hide. The afternoon schedule will be followed.
Day 3: 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, the incredible Western Crowned Pigeon, 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 20 minutes to the stop point and walk for 30 minutes to the hide. You can enjoy the bird playing until lunchtime and we go back. The afternoon schedule will be followed.
Day 4: Waigeo Island - Sorong
We still have one more chance to do birding in the morning before sailing to Sorong. We can start birding earlier in the morning around the village until before lunch. After returning to Sorong by express boat, we shall have another afternoon birding into the lowland forests in Sorong with a slew of different lowland forest specialties. Some truly breathtaking birds are possibilities for this afternoon’s excursion: Blue-black Kingfisher will be a major target this afternoon before we depart for the Arfaks tomorrow morning.
Day 5: Sorong – Manokwari – Arfak
After a flight to Manokwari, and a drive with 4WD for around 2 hours, we will arrive at what is arguably the premier birding site on this side of New Guinea, the Arfak Mountains, situated on the northeast of the Bird’s Head (Vogelkop) Peninsula. This part of the island has a rich set of endemics all its own, plus a huge variety of widespread forest species. Five nights will be spent in a guesthouse at an elevation of 5250ft/1600m, and we will do birding in a range of elevations above and below here.
Days 6-9: 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, Long-tailed Paradigalla, Black Sicklebill, Black-billed Sicklebill, Glossy Mantled Manucode, Green-backed Robin, Crinkle-collared Manucode and Spotted Jewel-Babbler. If we are extremely lucky we might catch up with the 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.
Day 10: Arfak – Manokwari
After another full day in the Arfaks chasing the last of the best birds of the mountains we return to Manokwari where we overnight in a comfortable city hotel.
Day 11: 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 12-13: 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 are just some of the birds on offer, though all of these species require a combination of luck and effort.
Day 14: Nimbokrang - Sentani
After a long day in the lowland jungles of Nimbokrang, we return to Sentanti for another night of hot water and a little luxury. But before that, in the morning we will do birding in the area we went to for a couple of days before once again until lunch time and we go back.
Day 15: Sentani Jayapura - Next destination
Transfer Out After long days of birding tours finally, it’s time to say goodbye. You will have your flight back to your home town. End of the trip.
Date & Price
Tour Code | Travel Date | Travel Time | Price |
---|---|---|---|
Waigeo, Arfak, Nimbokrang | 2024-01-22 - 2024-01-22 | 15 Days |