In my previous post about Rainforest Tour near Manokwari City, I mentioned about Susnguakti Forest. It is a tropical rainforest in lower montane area of Arfak range. It has been a recommended site for visitors who like hiking, camping, and wildlife watching.
We have prepared camping site with shelter that can be used by visitors who want to stay for a few nights in the forest. We provide tents, mattrasses, pillows, cooking and eating utensils for visitors who want to explore the wealth of biodivesity of tropical rainforest in the region.
| There are birds, butterflies, lizard, and a lot of unique plants that live in Susnguakti forest. At night, fireflies, and moth like to visit our basecamp. Various kinds of sounds from insects, birds and frogs make our nights in the jungle full of natural music. In the mornings, we can hear the sounds of male birds of paradise that call their female birds from nearby trees. Visitors usually spend 3 days/ 2 nights in hiking and camping in Arfak mountains and additional 1 day snorkeling and swimming trip in Manokwari coastal area. |
BIRDWATCHING HOLIDAY IN MINAHASA HIGHLAND
Minahasa highland is a region in the Province of North Sulawesi that is a highly recommended destination for visitors who are interested in nature, especially walking tour in nature to enjoy sightseeing of forest, farmland and villages as well as birdwatching and butterfly watching.
The forest, farmland and rice field areas of Minahasa are the habitat of various species of tropical birds. Birding sites can be found around Sonder town.
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| Purple Heron, Zebra Dove, White-eyed Drongo, Sooty-headed Bulbul, Finch-billed Myna, Brown-throated Sunbird, Collared Kingfisher |
In Tounelet forest, behind Siloam Hospital, visitors could find Pale Blue Monarch, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Sulawesi Cuckoo Dove, Black-naped Oriole, Gray-sided Flowerpecker, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Grey-cheeked Green Pigeon, Chestnut Munia, Scaly-breasted Munia, Sooty-headed Bulbul, Slender-billed Crow, Brush Cuckoo, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Sahul Sunbird, Collared Kingfisher, Black-naped Oriole, and etc.
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| Yellow-billed Malkoha, Maroon-chinned Fruit Dove, Crimson Sunbird, White-breasted Woodswallow, Sooty-headed Bulbul |
If we walk along the agricultural lands at the outskirt of District Sonder, we will be able to watch more birds including Finch-billed Myna, Zebra Dove, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Hair-crested Drongo (White-eyed), Purple Heron, White-browed Crake, White-breasted Woodswallow, and etc.
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| Black-naped Oriole, Sulawesi Cuckoo Dove, Pale Blue Monarch, Sulawesi Pygmy Hanging Parrot |
More birds could be found in higher elevation forest of District Sonder. There are Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher, Warbling White-eye, Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker, White-faced Cuckoo Dove, Crimson Sunbird, Black-faced Munia, and a lot more.
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| District town of Sonder is surrounded by forest, agricultural land, paddy fields, and forest |
Where is Minahasa and how to go there?
Minahasa is one of the regencies of North Sulawesi Province of Indonesia. The sites of birdwatching that I mention in this post are located in District Sonder. To visit Minahasa, visitors need to fly to Manado city. After that the trip to Sonder town can be done by car for 1.5 hours.
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| Flight route to Manado city |
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| District town of Sonder is approximately 1.5 hours by motorized vehicle from Manado city |
Accommodation
There are hotels in Tomohon town or homestay in Sonder town for tourists to stay and enjoy birdwatching. The room could be booked at booking.com or traveloka.com. Tour organizer could arrange the accommodation for tour participants.
Booking
Please, contact me (Charles Roring) if you are interested in taking a walking tour in nature for sightseeing, watching birds and butterflies in Sonder by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com.
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