Birding and Photography Tour in Indonesia from Sonder, Tomohon, Mount Mahawu, Manado, Tangkoko Nature Reserve in North Sulawesi to Malagufuk in Sorong regency, Klabili and Sausapor in Tambrauw, Waigeo and Salawati in Raja Ampat of West Papua. I support community based tourism. Please, contact me (Charles Roring) by whatsapp to +6281332245180 or by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com.
A lot of visitors go to Tambrauw regency in Indonesia to do wildlife watching. Actually, this regency has got other attractions. One of them is wave surfing. Between November and April, the coastal area of Sausapor is exposed to big waves. The best time to enjoy wave surfing is in the mornings and afternoons.
Wave Season in Sausapor town
Cost of Transportation
Sausapor town is the recommended destination for wave surfers. It can be reached from Sorong city by 4WD car. The cost per person is 300,000 rupiahs. Visitors need to go to a place in Sorong city that is called Kilometer Dua Belas Masuk in order to catch a 4wd car that can bring them to Sausapor town.
Accommodation
There is a nice beach resort in Sausapor town. Its name is Sansapore Pacific Park. Visitors who stay at the beach resort will have access to the beach. The cost of the accommodation, for standard bungalow, for single bed: 500,000 and for twin beds 800,000 rupiahs. Breakfast is provided for free. To book your room in this beach resort, please, contact Vincencia Natalia +6282271103270 (WA).
Sansapore Pacific Park Beach Resort
Flowers
The front and backyard of the beach resorts are filled with coconut trees and various kinds of flower plants including orchid and hibiscus. In the mornings and in the afternoons, butterflies like to visit the plants.
There are also birds such as Common Plover, Olive-backed Sunbird, Willie Wagtail that can be seen around the bungalows of the resort. Sometimes eclectus parrots and metalic starling fly over the resort area.
Flowers at Sansapor Pacific Park
Wildlife Watching in the Forest
For visitors who are not wave surfers, they can go hiking along the Old Sausapor - Bikar road (across from the beach resort) to see birds such as Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, and Azure Kingfisher, and a lot more.
There are amphibious, mammals, insects, and reptilian animals in the forest of Tambrauw. Visitors can see various kindals of frogs, lizards, butterflies and beetles as well as birds.
Rainforest Tour in Sausapor
Snorkeling in Sausapor
From May to October, the sea in Sausapor town is calm. It is a great place to enjoy swimming, recreational fishing, and snorkeling. The house reef of the Sansapore Pacific Park Beach resort is very beautiful. A lot of fish live in the coral reef. Some of them include pink anemonefish, surgeonfish, parrotfish, striped-surgeonfish, butterflyfish, moorish idol and etc.
Recreational Sport Fishing
Visitors who like recreational fishing can also enjoy the activity during these months.
Marine Environment in Sausapor town
If you are interested in traveling to Sausapor town to enjoy surfing, and wildlife watching or just see local people in their daily life, you need to fly to Sorong city and then continue your trip to Sausapor town by 4WD car or passenger ship.
Tambrauw is located between Sorong and Manokwari
Land Route between Sorong and Sausapor
For more info, please, contact Charles Roring +6281332245180.
I am now in Arfak mountains. I am accompanying a Dutch couple on a walking and wildlife watching tour for 5 days/ 4 nights. The scenery of the mountains is very beautiful as shown in the picture below.
We saw several species of birds of paradise and also butterflies, frogs, and dogs. The rainforest of higher elevation region of the mountains is unique. Villagers are friendly.
Walking Tour in Arfak mountains
The duration of walking from Mokwam region to Lake Anggi Giji is around 3 days. Visitors who take the walking tour can stay in the house of the villagers. Actually, if visitors are tired, they could stop cars that go to Anggi or the ones that return to Manokwari city.
After guiding them, I will go to Sorong city where I am going to guide another guest on a 3-day birdwatching tour in Tambrauw regency.
A few weeks ago I guided a tourist from Brazil on a week tour in the forest of Tambrauw regency. It is located in the east of Sorong city and can be reached by a 4wd car in a few hours. We explored the tropical jungle of West Papua in search of birds of paradise, cuscus possum, flying fox, snake, wallaby and bandicoot as well as various kinds of insects.
A male Lesser Birds of Paradise
We woke up early in the morning to watch Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaeaminor) from around 06:00 to 09:00. After that we did general birding and wildlife watching to see Palm Cockatoo, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Blyth's Hornbill, Beautiful Fruit Dove, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra and a lot more.
Tropical Birds in the forest of Tambrauw
The tourist whom I guided brought a D-SLR camera with telephoto lens. With that device, he was able to shoot various species of birds in tall trees. Later he shared some of them via whatsapp which I later use for this blog post.
While we were in Tambrauw regency, it rained a lot especially during the afternoons. After the heavy rain, the activity of birds was high. We were able to watch New Guinea Vulturine Parrot, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Large Fig Parrot, Yellow-faced Myna, Lesser Black Coucal, Black-capped Lory, Black Lory, Coconut Lorikeet flying in the air or sit on the branches of trees.
Palm Cockatoo in the forest of Tambrauw regency
At nights we did some forest explorations in the forest. We saw cuscus possum, snake and fruit bats. A lot of insects could also be seen at nights.
Beautiful Fruit Dove
Accommodation
After guiding the Brazilian tourist, I continued my trip to Sausapor town where I stayed at a beach resort. Its name was Sansapore Pacific Park. I did birdwatching in the ridge forest outside of the town where I found the sites of Lesser Birds of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, Magnificent Riflebird in the area. There were also other birds as well including Grey Crow, Black Butcherbird, Long-tailed Buzzard, Little Egret, and etc.
Sansapore Pacific Park - a recommended accommodation for visitors traveling to Sausapor town of Tambrauw regency - Resort Manager: Natalia: +62 822-7110-3270
The beach resort had beautiful house reef that was also a nice place for visitors who like swimming and snorkeling.
If you are interested in taking a birding and wildlife watching tour in Sausapor town of Tambrauw regency, here is the flight route and roadmap for your trip.
Flight route to Sorong city
Tambrauw regency is in the bird's head region
Road map from Sorong city to Sausapor town
You could contact me to organize your tour, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.
Fef is the capital of Tambrauw regency in West Papua province of Indonesia. The small town is surrounded by tropical rainforest that is the habitat of Lesser Birds of Paradise, Blyth's Hornbill, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Papua Mountain Pigeon, Shining Flycatcher, Black Thicket-Fantail, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Moustached Treeswift, Sacred Kingfisher, Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Long-billed Cuckoo, Little-bronze Cuckoo, Frilled Monarch, Black Cicadabird, Great Cuckoo Dove, and etc.
Birdwatching in Tambrauw regency of West Papua
I guided 4 tourists from the United States of America from 6 to 10 October 2022. We stayed in Eden Inn near the Conservation Monument of Tambrauw regency. There was a restaurant next to the inn so we did not have to bring a lot of food materials from Sorong.
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
To watch Lesser Birds of Paradise, we went to the forest of Iwin village by 4wd pick-up truck. It took around 20 minutes to reach the destination. We still had to walk into the forest to reach the birding site.
In the last day of our birding walk in Fef valley, we saw Emperor Fairywren, Grey-headed Goshawk, Variable Goshawk, and Black Thicket-Fantail as well as Long-tailed Buzzard and a large group of Blyth's Hornbill flying in the air.
Palm Cockatoo
In general, itinerary of birding in Fef valley of Tambrauw regency was organized as follows:
BIRDING IN TAMBRAUW MOUNTAINS
Day 1
Going to Fef by 4WD pick-up truck from Sorong. The duration of the trip is approximately 4 hours. Arrive in Fef, take a rest, general birding to find Sacred Kingfisher, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Common Paradise Kingfisher and etc.
Blyth's Hornbill
Day 2
Go by car to birding site in Iwin village. Watch Lesser Birds of Paradise. Continue with general birding. Back to Fef. General birding in the forest along the road near the waterfall to find Frilled Monarch, Long-billed Cuckoo, and Olive-crowned Flowerpecker.
Day 3
General birding in the forest to find Hooded Pitta and Papuan Pitta (formerly called Red-bellied Pitta) as well as Magnificent Bird of Paradise and etc.
Day 4
General birding to find Emperor Fairywren, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Hooded Butcherbird, Papuan Mountain Pigeon, Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Palm Cockatoo, Blyth's Hornbill, and etc. In the afternoon, after lunch, we will return to Sorong city. End of Tour.
The birding tour in Tambrauw mountains can be extended to other places such as Arfak mountains and Raja Ampat.
If you are interested in taking rainforest sightseeing and wildlife watching tour in Tambrauw and wants me to organize your trip and guide you, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.
I have just completed a tour for two visitors from the Netherlands. We spent one week exploring the rainforest of Klasow valley in Sorong regency as well as the tropical jungle of Waigeo in Raja Ampat islands.
Wildlife Watching and Sightseeing Tour in Sorong and Raja Ampat
We went hiking early in the mornings and in the afternoons to look for Lesser Birds of Paradise, Magnificent Riflebird, Glossy-mantled Manucode, Red Bird of Paradise and Wilson's Bird of Paradise.
During the one week tour, we saw a lot of species of tropical birds including Golden Myna, Yellow-faced Myna, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Pied Imperial Pigeon, Slender-billed Cuckoo Dove, Claret-breasted Fruit Dove, Azure Kingfisher, Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Sacred Kingfisher, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Beach Kingfisher, Red-cheeked Parrot, Eclectus Parrot, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Palm Cockatoo, Papuan Frogmouth, Frilled Monarch, Hooded Monarch, Blue Jewel Babbler, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Eastern Osprey, Willie Wagtail and a lot more.
Birdwatching in Raja Ampat
While in Raja Ampat, we did sightseeing and snorkeling tour by speedboat to Piaynemo karst and then on our return trip to the beach resort where we stayed, we visited Sand Bank (locally called Pasir Timbul) near Lesser Mansuar island and Friwen island which was located near Gam island. We also enjoyed snorkeling along the Friwenwall where we saw various kinds of fishes, and corals both the hard and soft ones. There are hundreds of species of reef fish that we saw.
Birdwatching in Waigeo island of Raja Ampat
This tour is suitable for anyone who likes to see the wealth of avifauna and the marine life of West Papua.
If you are interested in taking 1 week wildlife watching and snorkeling trip in West Papua, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.
I often organize tour for visitors who are interested in seeing beautiful scenery and colorful flowers of Arfak mountains. The most recommended destination is Anggi lakes. There, visitors can see the beauty of the landscapes, meet friendly local villagers and see various kinds of flowers that grow naturally in the wild or at the front yards of local villagers.
Lake Anggi Gida in Arfak mountains
Some flowers that are worth seeing include Rhododendron konori, Rhododendron laetum, and Rhododendron zoelleri, passion flowers, and nepenthes. There are also red, pink and white hibiscus which visitors can see in the region.
Rhododendron flower
The tour to Anggi lakes of Arfak mountains to see beautiful landscape and flowers can be extended with another tour to lower montane area of Arfak mountains to see Birds of Paradise in Susnguakti forest. There, visitors can watch paradise birds including the Lesser Birds of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, and Magnificent Bird of Paradise. Night walk to see possum, and dragon lizard can be organized for visitors who want to see more animals in the forest.
Flowers in Arfak mountains
The duration of the tour, both in Anggi lakes and Susnguakti forest in Arfak mountains is 5 days/ 4 nights.
Lesser Birds of Paradise in Susnguakti forest
Flight Route
To take a tour to Arfak mountains, visitors need to take an international flight from their country to Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia or to Denpasar city of Bali island which isnthe tourism hub of Indonesia. After that, they can continue their trip by taking domestic flight to Manokwari city.
Readers who are interested in taking this tour can contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.
Tropical rainforest of West Papua has been an important destination for visitors who are interested in watching birds of paradise and wild animals.
From 27 August to 10 September, I guided a Russian birdwatcher, on a 2-week birdwatching, wildlife watching, snorkeling and sightseeing tour in bird's head region of West Papua in the Republic of Indonesia. His name was Dmitry Ivanov and he flew in from South Korea.
Flight route to Sorong city
Birdwatching Sites: Klasow valley, Sorong, Saporkren of Waigeo island and Arfak mountains of Manokwari regency
Day 1 (27 August 2022)
I met my client Dmitry at DEO airport of Sorong city. He flew from Seoul of South Korea. After taking a few hours rest in a hotel in Sorong and enjoying lunch, we began our birdwatching activity in mangrove forest around 45 minutes ride to the suburb of the city. There, we saw Pacific Swallow, Orange-fronted Fruit Dove, Sahul Sunbird (formerly called Olive-backed Sunbird). Suddenly rain started to fall. We walked back to the car and had some tea and biscuits while waiting for it to stop. After the rain we still did birdwatching again and saw Oriental Dollarbird, Rainbow Bee-eater, Great-billed Heron, Willie Wagtail, Sacred Kingfisher, Yellow-faced Myna, Helmetted Friarbird. It was already dark when we returned to the city. We had dinner at Padang Restaurant. The food was spicy.
Birding Raja Ampat
Day 2 (28 August 2022)
In the morning, we left for Waisai. The ferry boat was crowded with people. All tickets were sold out. There were a big group of Christians from Supiori who made a pilgrimage tour to their fellow Christian community in Waisai town. However, I urged a porter to arrange a seat for my client with the captain of the boat. We got 1 VIP ticket at an extra charge and an economy ticket.
Arriving in Waisai, we continued our trip by speedboat to a beach resort. We still had time to enjoy birding that day. We saw Papuan Frogmouth, Pied Imperial Pigeon, Willie Wagtail, Lesser Frigatebird, Tern, Helmetted Friarbird, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Sacred Kingfisher, and Glossy Manucode (which is a Bird of Paradise). Back to the resort, we had a nice view of Palm Cockatoo sitting on the branch of a cattapa tree over the white sandy beach. It was eating its fruits.
Wilson's Bird of Paradise
Day 3 (29 August 2022)
We woke up early at 04:00 and had some tea and bread. After that we left the resort by boat to a beach in Kabui bay where we continued our trip by hiking steep slopes for one and a half hour to the site of Wilson's Bird of Paradise. We arrived around one and a half hour later. We watched the paradise bird until eight o'clock. When we returned to the beach we saw Dusky Scrubfowl, Brahminy Kite, Eclectus Parrot, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Pacific Swallow, Willie Wagtail, White-bellied Sea Eagle. We had a stop at Saporkren village and enjoyed some interactions with villagers. In the resort, we took pictures of Papuan Frogmouth.
In the afternoon, by speedboat we went to Raflow resort to enjoy birding. There, we saw Red Bird of Paradise, White-breasted Woodswallow, Variable Goshawk, Claret-breasted Fruit Dove, Rainbow Lorikeet, Palm Cockatoo, Mimic Meliphaga, Hooded Butcherbird, Dwarf Fruit Dove, Yellow-faced Myna, Eastern Osprey, Helmetted Friarbird, Eclectus Parrot, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Mimic Meliphaga, Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Red-cheeked Parrot, Spangled Drongo.
Red Bird of Paradise
Day 4 (30 August 2022)
We woke up in the morning again and had a short hiking to the lek of Red Bird of Paradise. In the same site, we watched Helmetted Friarbird, Spangled Drongo, Hooded Butcherbird. After watching paradise bird we still enjoyed birding in the area and saw Grey-headed Goshawk, Spangled Drongo, Rusty Mouse Warbler. We walked down the slope and did birding walk along the road where we watched Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Glossy-mantled Manucode, Claret-breasted Fruit Dove, Brown headed Crow, Coconut Lorikeet, Eclectus Parrot, Pied Imperial Pigeon, Sulphur-creasted Cockatoo, Yellow-faced Myna, Blyth's Hornbill, Glossy-mantled Manucode, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Torresian Crow.
In the afternoon at 15:00, we left for Friwen to enjoy snorkeling and seeing coconut crab on a small island not far from it. The Friwen wall was a great snorkeling site for seeing soft corals as well as hard corals and a lot of tropical fish.
Because coconut crab only came out at night, we decided to move to Nyetreiram islet at 18:00 local time. The land owner who accompanied us cut some coconuts and left it on the islet to attract the coconut crabs. We waited at the jetty of the islet. Fifteen minutes later, they came out of their hiding places. We were invited to see them. We were watching and taking pictures of the crab for around twenty minutes when we felt strong winds blew on the sea. A big storm was coming. When we were back on the boat, the waves were getting bigger. I asked our boat driver Zeth whether it was ok to return to our beach resort or take cover in Gam island. He said we could return to the resort. We decided to go back in full speed. Soon after we arrived, the sea storm hit our beach. Fortunately, we were already on land and inside our warm cottage. It was a great experience.
Day 5 (31 August 2022)
Birding in the morning along the road, we were able to watch: Black Butcherbird, Hooded Butcherbird, Mimic Meliphaga, Red Bird of Paradise, Eclectus Parrot, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Red-cheeked Parrot, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Variable Goshawk, Lowland Peltop, Pacific Reef Heron, Brown-headed Crow, Torresian Crow, Claret-breasted Fruit Dove, Oriental Dollarbird, Olive-crowned Flowerpecker.
A Chinese photographer, Phang, joined us. Because I forgot my binoculars, he was glad to lend his binoculars. We enjoyed watching and photographing birds. Phang returned to the guesthouse earlier whereas I and Dimitry continued walking to the area of Raflow resort where he photographed Eastern Reef Egret near the resort.
Klasow Valley of Sorong Regency
We left Raja Ampat at 14:00 and arrived in Sorong at around 16:00. I went to supermarket to buy more food materials and then continued our trip to Klasow valley by 4WD car. We arrived at around 19:00. The rain started to fall. We continued walking along a wooden bridge for around three hours. We saw frog, lizard, grasshopper, cricket, moths, and bandicoot. Arriving in the village at 22:00, we had dinner and took a rest. I was very tired but could not sleep well.
Klasow Valley
Day 6 (1 Sept. 2022)
We woke up at 05:00 and then started to make preparation. We watched Western-crowned Pigeon, King Bird of Paradise, Frilled Monarch, Blue Jewel Babbler, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Rainbow Lorikeet, Papuan Lorikeet, Sacred Kingfisher, Yellow-faced Myna. There were calls of Yellow-billed Kingfisher. Unfortunately, we could not see it. At around 12:00 we returned to the village and had lunch. After that we took a rest. At 16:00, we did a birding walk along the bridge where we saw Hooded Pitta, Brown Oriole, Black Lory, and some other beautiful birds of Sorong's lowland forest. Blyth's hornbill flew over the forest several times. There were hibiscus flowers in the village. I took some pictures of them.
Day 7 (2 Sept. 2022)
We woke up at 04:00 and then made a preparation. After having some tea and biscuits, we walked to the lek of Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise. It was a long walk. Walking up a steep slope, we saw wallaby. I aimed my flashlight at the marsupial animal. With the light, Dmitry could take pictures of the wallaby. The male Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise was already on top of his display tree when we arrived. We watched him performing the "pole dance" for around thirty minutes before continuing our trip to watch the Lesser Birds of Paradise. We stayed there until 09:00. In addition to Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise and the Lesser Birds of Paradise, we were able to watch Glossy-mantled Manucode, Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Blyth's Hornbill, Shining Flycatcher, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo.
Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise
Lesser Birds of Paradise
At around 10:00, we slowly returned to the village and had our lunch. After that we took a rest until around 14:00. In late afternoon, we walked along the boardwalk to watch birds including Yellow-faced Myna, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo and Papuan Babbler. I played the sound of Hooded Butcherbird. Several minutes later he showed up.
We saw some interesting birds including Golden Myna, Orange-bellied Fruit Dove, Red-cheeked Parrot, and Oriental Dollarbird. We waited for the cassowary to visit the village but we did not see it. In late afternoon, we walked back to main road. It was drizzling. Reaching the main road, we saw that the parking lot was still empty. So we continued birding along the road. Wompoo Fruit Dove flew fast crossing the road over the canopy of the forest. There was an Orange-bellied Fruit Dove perching on the top branch of a tree. When our car arrived, we ended our birding in Klasow valley and returned to Sorong where stayed one night at Swissbel hotel.
Arfak Mountains
Day 8 (3 Sept. 2022)
We flew to Manokwari in the morning of 3 Sept 2022. However, we did not go directly to Arfak range. We had to go to a supermarket to buy food materials for our 6 days stay in the mountains. After that, we went to traditional market in Wosi to buy more fruits, vegetables and eggs.
The duration of the car trip from Manokwari city to Arfak mountains was approximately 2 hours. Unloading our bags and food supplies from the 4WD car, we brought them to Lorikeet guesthouse. We did not take a rest. There was still time to watch Vogelkop Bowerbird. Because the nearest blind was only around 5 minutes walk, we immediately went to it. Dmitry was able to see the Vogelkop Bowerbird and took some picturws of the bird. Back to the guesthouse, we were able to see some nice birds including Green-backed Robin and White-shouldered Fairywren. There was a tall tree in the middle of the flower garden of the guesthouse. There, Great Cuckoo Dove liked to eat its fruits.
Day 9 (4 Sept. 2022)
We woke up at 04:30 and made preparation as well as had some tea and biscuit. At 05:00 we started hiking up the steep slope of Mount Soyti. It took around twenty minutes to reach the birdwatching hut of Western Parotia. Inside it, Dmitry sat to wait for the paradise bird to come. Becuase villager had put a red pandanus fruit near the dancing ground of Western Parotia, other birds came to eat the grain of the fruit too. There was a female Western Parotia. And there were also female black sicklebill.
After watching the parotia, we did general birding along the road. We saw Capped-white Eye, Ornate Melidectes, Sclater's Whistler, Mountain Fruit Dove, Olive-crowned Flowerpecker, Olive Flycatcher, Western Smoky Honeyeater.
During nightwalk, we saw tree frog, mouse, and stick insect. We heard wing beats of flyingfox but we could not locate the tree where he feeded on.
Day 10 (5 Sept 2022)
At 04:00 we woke up to make preparation and to have a quick breakfast. We had some bread, rambutan fruits, and tea. Dmitry, accompanied by two villagers went to the site of Magnificent Bird of Paradise. It took around one hour twenty minutes of walking to reach it. He returned at around 10:30 with smiling face. Dmitry was able to make pictures and a short video of the paradise bird. In the afternoon, he returned to the site of Western parotia again. He wanted to watch the adult Western Parotia performing his courtship dance. However, only the female Black Sicklebill, juvenile Western Parotia that were seen at that site. On a separate site, I saw Spotted Jewel Babbler at the entrance door of the birdwatching hut. We did late afternoon birding walk and saw Grey Green Scrubwren, Green-backed Robin.
Magnificent Bird of Paradise
Day 11 (6 Sept 2022)
As usual during the birding tour, we woke up early in the morning. Our destination this time as Maibri village and our target bird to see was the Crescent-caped Lophorina or Vogelkop Superb Bird of Paradise. The weather that morning was sunny. As a result, we were able to see the paradise bird. At the same site, we also saw Black-eared Catbird, Magnificent Bird of Paradise (male and female), Crinkle-collared Manucode and a female Western Parotia. We heard the sounds of Plum-faced Lorikeets on the canopy of the forest. However, we could not see them. In the afternoon, Dmitry tried to watch the adult male Western Parotia but it did not come to its dancing site.
Vogelkop Superb Bird of Paradise
Day 12 (7 Sept 2022)
I organized a trip for Dmitry to watch Arfak Astrapia in the forest of Syioubri village near a place that was called German Camp. At 02:00 early morning time, by a 4WD car, we went to the village where Dmitry started his guiding trip to the top of the mountains guided by Elyakim. They arrived at around 03:00 and waited for the sunrise. He was able to watch both the Arfak Astrapia and the Black Sicklebill.
In the afternoon, Elyakim offered him an alternative site to watch adult Western Parotia performing his courtship dance performance. Because a bird hide had not been prepared, Elyakim told us that he would build it first. We could go there to watch the bird at 04:00. We went there by 4WD car. It was quite far from Lorikeet Guesthouse. The birding site was located at steep slope in the forest that was inside the territory of Pigout village. We waited for Elyakim to come out of the forest. He showed up at 17:00 and said that the bird had already performed the dance. He had built the hide and offered Dimitry to come and watch it the next day. We agreed to come again the next day at 13:00. Some Sulphur-crested Cockatoo landed on the trees at the edge of a cliff above us. Dmitry took some nice pictures of them using his Nikon Coolpix P1000 camera.
Day 13 (8 Sept. 2022)
At 05:00, we went by 4wd car to Maibri village to watch Masked Bowerbird. Serinus, a local villager, who owned the land, guided us to the birdwatching hut. When we arrived at the hut and entered it, we saw that the bower of the Masked Bowerbird had been demolished. We still sat down in the blind to wait for the bird to complete his demolition works. Unfortunately, he did not come. We returned to our guesthouse and took a rest at 09:00. There were some birds that were seen playing in the flower garden of the guesthouse. Some that I saw were Black Fantail, Blue Grey Robin, Olive-crowned Flowerpecker, Great Cuckoo Dove, Black-billed Cuckoo Dove, Mountain Fruit Dove, Western Smoky Honeyeater, Cinnamon Melidectes, Vogelkop Melidectes, White-shouldered Fairywren, Glossy Swiftlet, Blue Grey Robin, and etc.
In the afternoon, we did a trip to territory of Pigout village to watch Western Parotia. It was a happy moment for Dmitry because he was able to see and made video of the male Western Parotia performing his courtship dance.
At 17:00 we returned to Manokwari city. He stayed at Mansinam Beach Hotel. I stayed at home.
Having Papeda as dinner at the restaurant of Mansinam Beach Hotel. At night, we had Papeda, a kind of porridge made of Sago starch, and yellow fish soup.
Day 14 (9 Sept 2022)
We had a morning flight to Sorong city. After taking a rest and having lunch, we went to mangrove forest recreational park by car. Birding in this mangrove forest, we were able to watch Brown-backed Honeyeater, and White-bellied Cuckooshrike. Suddenly rain started to fall in the area. We sat in.a shelter to wait for it to stop. Fortunately, the rain lasted for only around twenty minutes. We continued birding again while walking along the boardwalk of the mangrove park. We saw Metalic Starling, Rainbow Bee-eater, Olive-crowned Flowerpecker, Olive-backed Sunbird and Nankeen Nightheron. There were several observation towers in the park. They allowed us to see the magnificent few of the mangrove forest. Unfortunately, there were a lot of plastic wastes which were thrown to the forest floor by the visitors. We also saw Orange-fronted Fruit Dove, Pacific Swallow. I played the sounds of Blue Black Kingfisher. He came out but not perched on the visible branch of the mangrove strees. He flew over a water of the canal in front of us and into the forest on its other side. He did it several times.
Dmitry told me that he wanted to watch Emperor Fairywren. I played its soundsany times both in the Mangrove park and in the protected forest of Sorong but the bird did not come out of its hiding places. At around 18:40, we returned to Sorong city. We still had grilled fish at Tembok area for our dinner before returning to Swissbel hotel.
Day 15 (10 Sept. 2022)
At 8:30, I arranged his transfer to DEO airport where he would fly to Jakarta at 10:45. We said goodbye to each other before he entered the check-in hall.
I also left Sorong for Manokwari in the afternoon at 12:45 by Batik Air. It ended the two weeks birdwatching tour in West Papua.
If you are interested in taking a birdwatching tour in West Papua and want me to organize your trip, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.
Susnguakti is the name of a forest in lower montane region of Arfak mountains. It is a great site for nature lovers to go hiking and watching birds of paradise and wild animals. It can be reached from Manokwari city by car.
A couple of Lesser Birds of Paradise in Susnguakto forest of Arfak mountains Manokwari regency - West Papua province - Indonesia
Birds that can be watched in this forest include Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaeaminor), King Bird of Paradise (Cicinnurusregius) and Magnificent Riflebird (Ptilorismagnificus), Red-bellied Pitta, Hooded Pitta, Black-billed Cuckoo Dove, Brown Cuckoo Dove, Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Western Ornate Fruit Dove, Hooded Butcherbird, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Rufous-bellied Kookburra, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Frilled Monarch, Golden Cuckooshrike, Papuan Spangled Drongo, Fairy Lorikeet, Coconut Lorikeet, Black-capped Lory, Papuan Frogmouth, Blyth's Hornbill, and etc.
Typical Itinerary
Day 1
Meeting with tour participants in Manokwari city
Transfer to Susnguakti by car (1 hour)
Hiking to basecamp (1 hour)
Watching Lesser Birds of Paradise (first attempt)
Night walk
Day 2
Wake up at 05:00, make preparation, have tea or coffee, walk to birding site of Lesser Birds of Paradise.
Continue to the site of King Bird of Paradise
Explore the forest to see various kinds of birds, insects (beetles, butterflies), reptiles as well as unique tropical plants.
Night walk to fins possum and nocturnal animals.
Day 3
Wake up early in the morning to watch Magnificent Riflebird which is another species of birds of paradise.
Explore forest to see more plants and animals
After lunch, we will pack our things and walk down the mountains. We will return to Manokwari city.
The walking tour in this forest of Arfak mountains can be extended for several more days to include tour to higher elevation forest to watch more birds of paradise and other animals of West Papua.
Natural Attractions of Susnguakti Forest
In addition to birds the forest of Susnguakti is the habitat of snakes, butterflies and beetles.
Activities
Visitors can follow trails during the days and nights to see plants and animals of the forest. During night walks, local villagers can immitate the calls of a female cuscus possum to attract the male ones. When a male possum comes down from a tree, visitors can take pictures. During the day, visitors can go to the nearby stream to enjoy the cool water that comes out of the stones of the forest.
Cuscus Possum is a nocturnal animal in the rainforest of West Papua
Insect Watching
There are butterflies, beetles, grasshopper, cicada, fireflies, and other unique insects in the forest. Visitors can see them when staying for a few days in the jungle camp of Susnguakti forest. Colourful butterflies of Arfak mountains can be seen in this forest.
Butterflies can be watched and photographed in Susnguakti forest
Accommodation
As of today, most of the visitors who go to Susnguakti forest will stay in a basecamp as described in the following pictures.
A simple basecamp in the forest of Susnguakti for visitors to stay for a few days to watch birds of paradise and other wildlife.
Dome tents for tourists in Susnguakti forest
How to get to Manokwari city
International visitors need to fly to one of the major cities in Indonesia such as Jakarta, Denpasar, Surabaya, Makassar, or Manado. After that they can continue their trip to Manokwari city. I can meet you at the airport or at the hotel where you stay and organize your trip to Susnguakti forest.
Flight Routes from major cities in Indonesia to Manokwari city
To book your trip to Susnguakti forest, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.
I could also organize a trip for you to Sorong, Tambrauw, Raja Ampat, Kaimana or even to Java and Bali, Sulawesi and Halmahera of Indonesia.
Paradise birds live in the forest of West Papua province of the Republic of Indonesia. You can watch most of them if you spend around 2 weeks of traveling from Wasior town in Wondama Bay to Arfak mountains in Manokwari, Weyos beach in Tambrauw and Waigeo island in Raja Ampat. Birds of Paradise are beautiful avifauna that have got unique behaviour. They like dancing and mating. To watch them birdwatchers need to bring binoculars, camera with telephoto lens.
Lesser Birds of Paradise in Susnguakti forest of Manokwari
Destinations:
The first destination which visitors should go is Manokwar city. This is the entrance gate to Arfak mountains. The steep slopes of higher elevation forest of Arfak mountains are the natural habitat of Long-tailed Paradigala, Western Parotia, Black Sicklebill, Magnificent Bird of Paradise, Crescent-caped Lophorina. There are a lot of other interesting birds as well such as Masked Bowerbird, Vogelkop Bowerbird. The lower montane forest of Arfak mountains such as the Susnguakti forest is the habitat of Lesser Birds of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, Magnificent Riflebird, Glossy-mantled Manucode, Magnificent Bird of Paradise. The forest is also the destination for visitors who want to watch Hooded Butcherbird, Red-bellied Pitta, Hooded Pitta, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Papuan Dwarf Kingfisher, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot.
Long-tailed Paradigala
Your next destination should be Wasior town in Wondama bay regency. The Wondiboy mountains is one of the centers of endemism in New Guinea. There are Lesser Birds of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, Magnificent Riflebird, and Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise. For Glossy-mantled Manucode, and Trumpet Manucode, they can be watched there too. The higher elevation forest of Wondiboy mountains is another center of endemism in West Papua. Its slopes are steep making it very difficult for avid birdwatchers to reach it. Along its mountain ridge, visitors will be able to find rare birds such as Black Sicklebill, Western Parotia, Crescent-caped Lophorina, and perhaps the Arfak Astrapia. Further avifauna studies need to be conducted in Wondiboy mountains to assess whether millions of years of speciation process have created new species of birds in this isolated mountain range. Wasior town which is the entrance gate for visitors who want to watch birds in Wondiboy mountains and lowland forest of Wondama regency is a great destination to visit. Visitors can enjoy swimming and snorkeling at the beach to see colorful reef fish and beautiful corals of the sea.
Another important site for finding lowland and lower montane birds of paradise is Weyos beach in Tambrauw regency. Visitors could go there by motorized boat. Lesser BoP, King BoP, Twelve-wired BoP, Magnificent Riflebird, Glossy-mantled Manucode, Trumpet Manucode, Crinkle-collared Manucode live in this forest.
Weyos beach in Tambrauw regency
Weyos and its surrounding beaches are the nesting ground of Leatherback, Olive Ridley, Green and Hawksbill turtles that swim across the Pacific ocean to lay eggs there. Actually, Weyos can be considered as the vocal point of birding and wildlife watching in West Papua.
For higher elevation forest in Tambrauw, the recommended destination will be Mount Vitakur. The entry point to go there can be Manokwari city. Visitors can go by small passenger plane, Cessna Caravan 208 to Kebar and then continue their trip to District Miyah. In Ayapokiar village, there is local guide named Amo, and in Siakwa village, there is Paul Warere. They can guide visitors to find not only the Lesser Birds of Paradise, Magnificent Birds of Paradise, Masked Bowerbird and Vogelkop Bowerbird but also the Western Parotia, Crescent-caped Lophorina and Black Siklebill.
Sorong regency has got several birding sites. The famous one is Malagufuk. I introduced it for the first time to the outer world in late 2014. Years later, it has become an important birding site in West Papua.
Waigeo, together with some islands in its surroundings, of Raja Ampat is the habitat of Red Bird of Paradise and Wilson's Bird of Paradise. People go there to enjoy snorkeling and scuba diving. If they have time, they want to see the paradise birds.
Some Birds of Paradise from the forest of West Papua
Orchid Flower in the forest of West Papua
As a matter of fact, West Papua is a beautiful tourist destination not only for birdwatching but also for marine tourism activities and cultural interactions. If you are interested in traveling to West Papua and want me (Charles Roring) to guide you, please, contact me by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com.
