Hiking and Watching Birds in Arfak Mountains

Vogelkop Bowerbird (Amblyornis inornata)

Watching Endemic Birds of New Guinea
Arfak range in the south of Manokwari city has been considered as a must see destination for birdwatchers. Every year visitors from Europe, Australia, North America go to Mount Soyti, Mount Indon, Mount Imubri and Mount Mabowi to watch such birds as Western Parotia (Parotia sefilata), Vogelkop bowerbird (Amblyornis inornata), Magnificent Bird of Paradise (Cicinnurus magnificus), Arfak Astrapia that are endemic to Vogelkop region.

Watching Tree Kangaroo

Tree Kangaroo

As a matter of fact, it is not only birds that birdwatchers will be able to see in the jungle of Arfak mountains but also other animals such as cuscus possum, and tree kangaroo.
Mount Imubri that is located around 9 hours of walk from the main road is the best site for watching grizzled and ursine tree kangaroo. Cuscus possum can be watched in the jungle of Mount Mabowi and Mount Imubri. Visitors who want to go there have to be fit physically. I regularly organize trekking trips to Mount Imubri to watch birds and marsupial animals in the jungle.

How to get there?
Fly from your country to Jakarta (the capital of Indonesia)
Fly to Manokwari city (the capital of West Papua province)
I could meet you at the airport and organize your trip to Arfak mountains for watching birds and other wild animals.

Duration of the trip
Visitors usually spend 3 days/ 2 nights in the lower montane forest and another 3 days/ 2 nights in the upper montane forest. My recommended birding sites will be going to Mount Mabowi for watching Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor) and the nocturnal Cuscus Possum; and then going to the jungle of Mount Soyti to watch Vogelkop Bowerbird, Western Parotia and Magnificent Birds of Paradise.

What you need to bring:

• Bring binoculars
• Bring camera with telephoto lens + extra batteries
• Bring torch/ flashlight
• Bring sleeping bag
• If possible, please, buy Birds of New Guinea as your main reference for birdwatching in this region. Reading that book, you will have a very good knowledge of avifauna world of New Guinea when where every species will most likely to occur.

As a tourist guide, I have organized numerous trips to Arfak mountains for visitors who want to watch birds and other wild animals as well as see beautiful
For further info of traveling and wildlife watching in Arfak mountains, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com