Watching Paradise Birds and Cuscus Possum in Arfak Mountains

Lesser Birds of Paradise in Arfak mountains

Arfak mountains are very popular among birdwatchers who want to see birds of paradise. There are several places in the region where visitors can go to see birds and other wild animals. One of them is called Mount Mabowi. It is located approximately one hour ride by motorized vehicle and another one hour walk up steep slopes to the base camp that has been used by tourists for watching wild animals. 

Watching Lesser Birds of Paradise

The basecamp is large enough to accommodate 4 to 8 visitors. They usually stay for 2 days/ 1nights to 3 days/ 2 nights. To watch paradise birds, they have to wake up early in the morning around 05.00 to drink tea or coffee and then leave their tents for the lek of Lesser Birds of Paradise that usually gather on a hill in the south of the base camp.

The Glowing Mushroom

The sounds of other birds such as magnificent riflebird, king bird of paradise, helmetted friarbird, fruit dove can also be heard in the forest of Mount Mabowi. To watch them visitors need a good pair of binoculars and spotting scope. 

In the months of November, December, January, February and March, the forest floor is wet. It is the best time to see glowing mushroom that emits greenish light.

Watching Cuscus Possum

Cuscus Possum in Mount Mabowi

The tropical rainforest of Mount Mabowi is also the natural habitat of some norturnal animals such as the marsupial cuscus possum, and Papuan frogmouth owl.  To see cuscus possum, visitors can do night walk with local guide to several sites which he knows the animal occurs.

Butterflies
There are also butterflies in the jungle of Mount Mabowi. They often fly in the open area around the tourist basecamp. Some that I can identify include Blue Mountain Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio ulysses), The Silky Owl butterfly (Taenaris catops) and the Cruiser Butterfly (Taenaris catops).

Interested in taking the tour with me in to the jungle of Arfak mountains?
Please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to peace4wp@gmail.com or send message by whatsapp to my number: +6281332245180.