Recommended Trekking and Birding Sites in Arfak Mountains

Arfak range is located in the south of Manokwari city. It has been a famous destination for naturalist who wants to see the beauty of Papua's nature.

I often receive emails from tourists and researchers who want to go to Arfak mountains of Manokwari. They ask for a good trekking and birding site. From my personal experience, I highly recommend such villages as Mupi Gunung, Warmarway, and Kwau. These villages have got large rainforest areas that are suitable for anybody who is interested in exploring the biodiversity of Arfak range.
Birds of Paradise
There are tens of species of birds of paradise that visitors can see in the jungle. Some of them are western parotia, lesser birds of paradise, black sickle bill, king birds of paradise, and the magnificent birds of paradise.
Tropical birds
In addition to paradise birds, other species that can be watched include sulphur crested cockatoo, pasquet parrots, pinon imperial pigeon, blyth's hornbill, pygmy parrots, vogelkop bowerbirds and flame bowerbirds.
Marsupial Animals

West Papua and Australia are the natural habitat of various species of marsupial animals. Some that visitors can see in Arfak mountains are tree kangaroo, cuscus, and bandicoot.
Recommended Trekking Site in Bird's head region
There are several locations of trekking sites in Vogelkop or bird's head region. Some of them are as follows:

• Aiwatar hill of District Senopi in Tambrauw mountains (whic is also the best birdwatching site I have ever seen in my life); 
• Rainforest of Warmarway village in the eastern region of Arfak mountains,
• Klasow valley in Sorong regency (where you can see wallaby, cuscus, birds of paradise)
• Mupi Gunung hamlet whose trails are very steep and are only suitable for visitors who are physically fit.

Preparations
Visitors need to make certain preparations prior to their trip to Arfak range. Here are some of them:
- Bring only clothes you really need. These include some T-shirts, long trousers, underwear, running shoes or trekking boots.
- Bring mosquito net, and some insect repellent lotion.
- Extra batteries, telephoto lens for your photographic activities.
- Buy food in Manokwari city.
If you want to visit it and need my guiding service, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com