Open Trip Malagufuk 2-4 August

I offer an open trip for wildlife tour to Malagufuk village from 2 to 4 August 2025. Today, 1 participant has booked the tour. There are 2 seats available for those who are interested in taking this wildlife tour. During the tour, participants will explore the rainforest of Klasow valley in Sorong regency to watch various species of paradise birds, and a lot of other tropical birds of West Papua, do night walk to see nocturnal animals such as cuscus and bandcoot as well as see unique tropical plants of rainforest. 

Lesser  Bird of Paradise

Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher

The itinerary can be described as follows:

• Day 1

Local guide will meet you at the airport or hotel of Sorong city and organize your trip by 4dw car to Malagufuk village in Sorong city. It takes around 1 hour 20 minutes to reach it. Arriving at the parking lot, some villagers will help carry your bags and other logistical materials using wheel barrows to the village. Accompanied local guide and 1 or 2 other villagers, you will walk along the boardwalk doing wildlife watching. There are birds such as Papuan Eclectus, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Shining Flycatcher, Papuan Eclectus, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Coconut Lorikeet, Yellow-faced Myna, Hooded Butcherbird, and etc. Butterflies such as the Ulysses butterfly, New Guinea Clipper and Cruiser butterfly could be seen along the way. If we are lucky we will be able to see monitor lizard or snake along the way to the village. Arriving in the village, participants could take a rest. 

Wildlife watching activity could be continued again at around 15:00 to see such birds as Sahul Sunbird, Olive-crowned Flowerpecker, and etc.

Basic Accommodation is provided in a homestay in the village. 

• Day 2

Wake up early at around 05:00. You will walk to the site of Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise and then continue your trip to the site of Lesser Bird of Paradise. You could also go to the site of King Bird of Paradise, other birds such as Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Blue Black Kingfisher, and etc. 

After lunch you could continue your walk to watch Magnificent Riflebird. 

Night walk can be organized after dinner to look for such birds as Papuan Frogmouth, Marbled Frogmouth, and birds that sleep on lower branches of tree. Cuscus, wallaby could also be seen in at night. They usually come out to find food and to find mating partner. 

• Day 3

There is still time to watch birds of paradise as well as a lot of tropical birds such as Golden Myna, Frilled Monarch, Palm Cockatoo, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Large Fig Parrot, and etc.  After lunch, we will return to Sorong city.

Visitors who are interested in taking this tour need to bring binoculars, flashlight, camera, raincoat or rain-poncho, hiking boots and insect repellent lotion. 

If you are interested in joining, please, contact us by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com

Related Posts

• Birds in Malagufuk Forest of Klasow valley and Raja Ampat
• Bird Photo Trip in Malagufuk village
• Sorong city Sightseeing and Birding Attractions for Tourists
• Birdwatching in Sonder Farmland of Minahasa Highland
• Tropical Birds in Sonder of Minahasa Highland

Watching and Photographing Paradise Birds in Raja Ampat and Malagufuk of Sorong Regency

I have organized several trips this month for some birdwatchers and photographers who want to see tropical birds in Raja Ampat and Sorong regency. During each of the trip, we explored the southern region of Waigeo to look for Glossy-mantled Manucode, Wilson's Bird of Paradise and Red Bird of Paradise. On the second part of the trip, we did rainforest tour in Malagufuk village of Klasow valley to find Lesser Birds of Paradise, Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise, Magnificent Riflebird and King Bird of Paradise. The duration of this tour is 8 days/ 7 nights. 

Wilson's Bird of Paradise

We experienced heavy rain during most of this tour. The month of June is quite a challenging experience for me. The walking path in the forest became very muddy after the heavy rain. Fortunately, we could see and photographs most of the paradise birds that I mentioned above.

We saw and photographed other birds as well such as Wompoo Fruit-dove, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Red-cheeked Parrot, Papuan Eclectus, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Black-capped Lory, Coconut Lorikeet, Palm Cockatoo, Blyth's Hornbill, Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Black-sided Robin, Golden Myna, Yellow-faced Myna, Olive-crowned Flowerpecker,  and etc.

Magnificent Riflebird

Although most of our activities are about birdwatching and photography tour, we also spent time on swimming and snorkeling especially in the house reef areas of the resort. Reef fish such as striped-surgeonfish, diagonal sweetlips, parrotfish, butterflyfish, anemonefish could be seen and photographed at depths of 1.5 to 2 meters or more. 

To photograph birds in distant trees, tour participants bring D-SLR or mirrorless with (large CMOS censor) camera that is equipped with 150-600 mm lens. Some bring bridge camera such as Nikon P1000. 

Birdwatching in Sorong regency and Raja Ampat

Birdwatchers usually Swarovski, Leica, or Nikon 10×42 mm. As a birding guide, I usually carry a spottinh scope that is mounted on a tripod. 

Coral reef in Raja Ampat

If you are interested in taking a holiday in Indonesia by enjoying birdwatching and photography tour in Raja Ampat, Klasow valley of Sorong regency and other parts of Indonesia such as Minahasa highland and Tangkoko Nature Reserve, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com. 

Also read:

• Birding and Snorkeling in Waigeo Raja Ampat
• Sorong City Birding Tour
• Sorong Birding and Raja Ampat Snorkeling
• Nature Tour Around Sorong City and Raja Ampat
• Birding in Raja Ampat and Sorong
• Birding in Raja Ampat and Sorong Regency of Indonesia

• Birdwatching in Sonder of Minahasa Highland of Indonesia
• Birding in Sonder of Minahasa
• Birding in the Paddy Fields of Subdistrict Sonder
• Birdwatching in the Farmland of Sonder Town
• Walking Tour, Birdwatching and Butterflywatching in District Sonder of Minahasa Highland
• Birds in North Sulawesi
• Birdwatching Tour in the Farmland and Forest of Minahasa Highland
• Manado City Tour: Birdwatching and Sightseeing

Birds in Malagufuk's Forest and Raja Ampat

Birds are attractions for tourists who love nature. I am quite busy this month because I have to guide tourists on several birdwatching trips in the forest of Malagufuk, at the outskirts of Sorong city as well as in Waigeo island of Raja Ampat. Every place has got unique species to see. They also share a large number of bird species.

Palm Cockatoo

Here are birds which visitors could watch in Malagufuk village of Klasow valley: Lesser Birds of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, Magnificent Riflebird, Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise, Glossy-mantled Manucode, Trumpet Manucode, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Pink-spotted Fruit-dove, Zoe Imperial Pigeon, Purple-tailed Imperial Pigeon, Western-crowned Pigeon, Superb Fruit Dove, Wompoo Fruit-dove, Beautiful Fruit-dove, Sultan's Cuckoo-dove, Black-billed Cuckoo-dove, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Papuan Dwarf Kingfisher, Azure Kingfisher, Black-capped Lory, Papuan Eclectus, Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot, Coconut Lorikeet, and etc.

For birds in Waigeo, here are some of the vocal points: Red Bird of Paradise, Wilson's Bird of Paradise, Brown-headed Crow, Papuan Eclectus, Spice Imperial Pigeon, Pied Imperial Pigeon, Claret-breasted Fruit-dove, Osprey, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Brahminy Kite, Beach Kingfisher, Torresian Crow, Willie Wagtail, Common Sandpiper, Pacific Reef Heron, Radjah Shelduck, Red-cheeked Parrot, Coconut Lorikeet, Great-billed Parrot, and etc.

Most tourists will fly to Sorong city if they want to enjoy their holiday in Raja Ampat. The outskirts of Sorong city have got some interesting birds to see such as Orange-fronted Fruit-dove, Double-eyed Fig Parrot, Sahul Sunbird, Olive-crowned Flowerpecker, Black-browed Triller, Yellow-faced Myna, Golden Myna, Helmetted Friarbird, Brown Oriole, and etc. 

There are still a lot of other species that birdwatchers and photographers could see when traveling to these places. 

Visitors could combine birdwatching and photography tour with snorkeling and sightseeing in Raja Ampat islands. 

Binoculars or Camera

Most birdwatchers bring binoculars 10×42 mm. Famous brands such as Nikon, Swarovski, and Leica are the preferable choice. Some of them will bring point and shoot camera with telephoto lens. Photographers usually bring D-SLR or mirrorless camera, telephoto lens and tripod. 

Booking

If you are interested in visiting Sorong city for your holiday in Raja Ampat, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.

Also read:

• Birding in Raja Ampat and Sorong Regency
• Birding near Sorong city
• Wildlife Photography Tour in Tangkoko and Minahasa Highland
• Birdwatching in Minahasa Highland

Birdwatching in Raja Ampat of Indonesia

Raja Ampat is a famous destination for visitors who love swimming, scuba diving and snorkeling. However, it is also a good destination for birdwatching. A lot of species of tropical birds could be watched and photographed in Waigeo island such as:

• Wilson's Bird of Paradise
• Red Bird of Paradise
• Papuan Eclectus
• Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
• Palm Cockatoo
• Black-capped Lory
• Coconut Lorikeet
• Great-billed Parrot
• Red-cheeked Parrot
• Yellow-faced Myna
• Rufous-bellied Kookaburra
• Yellow-billed Kingfisher
• Common Paradise Kingfisher.
• Beach Kingfisher
• Collared Kingfisher
• Sacred Kingfisher
• Olive-crowned Flowerpecker
• Sahul Sunbird
• Black Sunbird
• Lowland Peltop
• Pinon Imperial Pigeon
• Pied Imperial Pigeon
• Great Cuckoo-dove
• Black-billed Cuckoo-dove
• Claret-breasted Fruit-dove
• Brown Cuckoo-dove
• Claret-breasted Fruit-dove
• Spice Imperial Pigeon, 
• Golden Monarch
• Willie Wagtail, and etc. 

Red Bird of Paradise

A lot of coastal or sea birds could also be seen there. They include:

• White-bellied Sea Eagle
• Osprey
• Lesser-crested Tern
• Common Tern
• Black-naped Tern
• Common Sand Piper
• Pacific Golden Plover
• Pacific Reef Heron
• Striated Heron
• Great-billed Heron
• Purple Heron, 
• Whimbrel, and etc.

Swimming and Snorkeling

Tour participants who want to enjoy swimming or snorkeling can do it at the house reef of the beach resort or homestay where we stay at. The coral reef of Raja Ampat is the habitat of a lot of species of marine creatures such as moorish idol, butterflyfish, striped surgeonfish, parrotfish, wrasse, wobbegong, anemonefish and etc.

Snorkeling in Waigeo island of Raja Ampat

Birding, swimming and snorkeling tour in Raja Ampat

Orange Skunk Anemonefish

Birdwatching near Sorong city

The tour to Raja Ampat for watching birds could be combined with the tour to the outskirts of Sorong city to watch interesting species of birds such as Blue-fronted Fig Parrot, Orange-fronted Fruit-dove, Brown-backed Honeyeater, Glossy-mantled Manucode, White-bellied Cuckooshrike, Brown Oriole, Helmeted Friarbird, Black-browed Triller, Blyth's Hornbill, and etc. Usually, tourists who are in transit in Sorong city do not have much time. They can enjoy morning birding trip that starts at 05:00 a.m.  and finishes at 10:00 a.m. or afternoon birding tour from 14:00 to 18:00 p.m. 

Participants need to bring their own binoculars. If they do not have the device, as a guide provide a spotting scope that is mounted on a tripod for everyone to share. 

For identification of birds that we see or photograph, we could use Merlin App. 

Booking

If you are interested in taking a birdwatching tour in Raja Ampat and the outskirts of Sorong city, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180. 

Related posts:

• Birding and Snorkeling in Waigeo Raja Ampat
• Sorong City Birding Tour
• Sorong Birding and Raja Ampat Snorkeling
• Nature Tour Around Sorong City and Raja Ampat
• Birding in Raja Ampat and Sorong
• Birding in Raja Ampat and Sorong Regency of Indonesia

Also read:

• Birds in North Sulawesi
• Birding and Wildlife Tour in Tangkoko and Minahasa Highland
• Birdwatching and Photography Tour in Minahasa Highland
• Birdwatching in the Farmland of Sonder of Minahasa Highland
• Birding in North Sulawesi and West Papua
• Birding in Minahasa of North Sulawesi

Night Walk Tour in the Forest of Sorong City

I have just conducted a night walk tour in the forest of Sorong city for an American tourist. The tour started at 08:00 when I picked him up from Swissbel Hotel. We went to a forest near Sorong city. I was accompanied by a driver and a local guide. 

Before starting the walking tour, we had some tea and coffee with some cakes that I bought from a bread store. We could feel the sudden change of atmosphere. From a city with a lot of lights to a rainforest that is very dark. On the positive side, we could see stars in the dark sky.

When we were walking along a road inside the forest, we used sound recordings to attract birds. We played the sounds of Papuan Frogmouth, Marbled Frogmouth, Papuan Boobook. 

Flying Fox in the forest of Sorong regency

Although we walked for quite long, we did not feel hot at all. The temperature of the forest that night was cool. We were able to watch Papuan Frogmouth and Marbled Frogmouth. We also saw some flying foxes in trees and flying in the air.

Papuan Frogmouth in the forest of Sorong city

We completed our night walking tour in the rainforest of Sorong city at around 00:15. It was a nice trip although we did not see many animals. When we arrived in Swiss Belhotel, it was 00:30 in the middle of the night.

Morning or Afternoon Birding Tour

For visitors who are interesting in taking birdwatching tour at the outskirts of Sorong city. Usually the morning birding tour starts at 05:00. We will go to birdwatching site outside of Sorong city by car. It takes around 1 hour. As soon as we arrive, we could see the sun light on the canopy of the forest. Birds that we could watch include Yellow-faced Myna, Golden Myna, Eclectus Parrot, Coconut Lorikeet, Black-browed Triller, Black-capped Lory, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Hooded Butcherbird, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Blyth's hornbill, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Claret-breasted Fruit-dove, and etc.

Papuan Eclectus

To enhance the birding experience of the participants, I will bring spotting scope. We will also walk along the beach area to enjoy the landscape of the coastal area as well as watching birds. Beach Kingfisher is the main target at the beach but we could see other species such as Willie Wagtail, Whimbrel, Common Sandpiper, Pacific Reef Heron, Striated Heron, Little Egret, Pacific Golden Plover and etc.

Beach Kingfisher

If you are interested in taking this night walking tour in Sorong city and want me to organize your trip, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com.

Related Posts:

• Birding in Raja Ampat and Sorong
• Birdwatching in Malagufuk, snorkeling in Raja Ampat