Birding and Photography Tour in Indonesia to watch paradise bird, parrot, kingfisher, pigeon, dove, sunbird, flowerpecker, pitta, from Malagufuk in Sorong regency, Klabili and Sausapor in Tambrauw, Waigeo in Raja Ampat of West Papua to Minahasa (Mount Mahawu, Tangkoko Nature Reserve, District Sonder) in North Sulawesi. I support community based tourism. Please, contact me (Charles Roring) by whatsapp to +6281332245180 or by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com.
I have just completed a birding tour for two Australian birdwatchers in Sausapor town, Klabili village of Tambrauw regency, and Sorong city. We spent 4 days/ 3 nights exploring tropical rainforest of the region where we saw a lot of species of birds. Some of them include Lesser Birds of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Black Lory, Palm Cockatoo, Hooded Pitta and South Papuan Pitta.
Foreign visitors were watching birds in Tambrauw
Birds in Tambrauw regency
In Sausapor town, we went deeper into the forest by using 4WD car. There, we saw Blyth's Hornbill, Black-capped Lory, Red-cheeked Parrot, Helmetted Friarbird, Brown Oriole, Lesser Birds of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, Mimic Meliphaga, Golden Myna, Yellow-faced Myna, Rusty Pitohui, White-bellied Cuckooshrike, Hooded Butcherbird, Orange-bellied Fruit Dove, Torresian Crow, Lesser Black Coucal, Singing Starling, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Spangled Drongo, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, and a lot more. The recommended forests around Sausapor were the one along the Sausapor - Werur road and the one in hydroelectric powerplant.
Birdwatching in Tambrauw regency of the Province of Papua Barat Daya
We stayed 2 nights at Sansapore Pacific Park Beach Resort which is a beach accommodation that is suitable for visitors who like snorkeling and wildlife watching in the forest.
Hooded Pitta
South Papuan Pitta
In Klabili village, we saw Papuan Babbler, Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, New Guinea Vulturine Parrot (Merlin app. calls it Pesquet's Parrot), Shining Flycatcher, Papuan Pitta, Hooded Pitta, Papuan Frogmouth, Marbled Frogmouth, Pinon's Imperial Pigeon, Black Lory, Coconut Lorikeet, Palm Cockatoo, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Eclectus Parrot, Large Fig Parrot, and Frilled Monarch. The forest in Klabili consisted of two parts, the lowland forest and the lower montane forest which are the habitat of Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot, Western-crowned Pigeon, Papua Dwarf Kingfisher, Sooty Thicket Fantail, Moluccan King-Parrot and etc.
We stayed one night at the homestay that belongs to a villager. It was a basic accommodation but comfortable enough for birdwatching visitors who explore the forest in remote area.
Some birds on Mangrove forest of Sorong
Sorong City has got some interesting places for birdwatching. We went to Mangrove forest where we saw Brown-backed Honeyeater, Blue-fronted Fig Parrot, Striated Heron, Sahul Sunbird, Willie Wagtail, and Orange-fronted Fruit Dove.
Birding and Sightseeing in Sorong City
In my previous trip to a forest in Sorong regency, I guided two British ladies. We explored the forest in the mornings, afternoons and at nights. We saw a lot of species of birds including Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Purple-tailed Imperial Pigeon, Black Lory, Black-sided Robin, Spot-winged Monarch, and Ivory-billed Coucal, Glossy-mantled Manucode, Common Paradise Kingfisher and etc.
The rainforest areas from Sorong to Sausapor are great destination for wildlife watching. Visitors who are interested in visiting these places can go as single traveler or in a small group from two, three, to four people to share the cost of paying transportation, accommodation, guides and villagers who work to support the tour.
EASY WALKING TOUR AND BIRDING IN MINAHASA HIGHLAND
I offer 3 to 5 days birding tour package for visitors who want to visit the towns of Tomohon, Sonder and Kawangkoan in The highland of Minahasa in the Province of North Sulawesi of Indonesia. Minahasa is a highly recommended destination for visitors who want to spend their holiday by doing walking tour, seeing beautiful natural landscape, watching birds and butterflies. There are a lot of birdwatching sites in Minahasa. The level of difficulty for the walking and wildlife watching tour is easy. So, it is suitable for anyone.
Sonder is a Small Town in the highland of Minahasa
Birding in the Hill Forest and Farmland of Sonder town
In Sonder's hill forest and farmland, visitors could watch such birds as Crimson Sunbird, White-faced Cuckoo Dove, Mountain White-eye, Sulawesi Cuckoo Dove, Black-faced Munia, Collared Kingfisher, Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker, Sulawesi Drongo, and a lot more. Early in the morning, the temperature is cold. Most of Sonder's hill area is still covered by fog. So, birding could be done later at around 07:00 until 10:00 or even 11:00. Going to the top of the hill could be carried out by motorcycle, car, or even by hiking up the long slope. The temperature is very cool early in the morning. Bringing a good pair of binoculars will greatly enhanced the birding experience.
Waterfall, flowers, bird and butterfly in Sonder of Minahasa regency
Roadside Birding
Another birding site that can be explored by visitors is the road that connects Sonder and Kiawa village. Visitors could watch such birds as Sooty-headed Bulbul, Zebra Dove, Brown-throated Sunbird, Finch-billed Myna, White-eyed Drongo, Black-naped Oriole, Sahul Sunbird, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot and a lot more. The road condition is good so birdwatchers will enjoy easy birding walk. Because there is a lot of flat ground, bringing tripod for spotting scope and camera will be good.
Birds in the farmland and forest of Sonder town in the highland of Minahasa
Birding in Paddy Field
For visitors who want to watch birds such as Purple Heron, Cinnamon Bittern, White-browed Crake, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Eastern Yellow Wagtail, White-breasted Woodswallow, Chestnut Munia, Scaly-breasted Munia, Rock Pigeon, White-nest Swiftlet, Barn Swallow, Glossy Swiftlet, and Barred Rail, the recommended sites will be the rice field area in the south and northeast of Sonder. The terraces of paddy field provide beautiful view of the Minahasan agricultural land.
White-breasted Woodswallow
Birding Inside Sonder Town
A few small villages form Sonder town. Villagers grow clove, durian, coconut and other tropical trees around the yards of their houses. These trees and shrub plants attract birds. So, Sonder town itself is an interesting birding site. Black-crowned White-eye, Gray-sided Flowerpecker, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Black-naped Oriole, Sooty-headed Bulbul, Chestnut Munia and Scaly-breasted Munia, Brush Cuckoo, and etc.
The small town of Sonder is located around 20 minutes drive from Tomohon town. Visitors need to fly from their countries to major cities in Indonesia such as Denpasar, Surabaya, Jakarta and Makassar. There are daily flights availabe between these cities and Manado city. They are served by Lion Air, Trans Nusa, Batik Air and Garuda. Direct flights from Singapore to Manado city is provided by Scoot Air. For Chinese tourists, they could fly from Guangzhou of China to Manado city served by China Southern Airlines. From Manado to Sonder town, visitors could go by car. It takes around one hour to reach Sonder.
Flight Routes to Manado city
In the past, Sonder was famous for its clove commodity. Every harvest season, farmers dried their clove bud at the frontyards of their houses. Now, the town dwellers in Sonder town do not fully depend on one commodity. They grow vanilla, paddy, and vegetables, run pig and poultry farms. They have diversified their agricultural produce.
Accommodation
There are hotels in Tomohon town of Minahasa region which visitors can book online through booking.com or traveloka.com. We could also arrange your accommodation if you take this birding tour from us.
If you are interested in taking the tour, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.
For the past few months I have been running birdwatching, and wildlife-watching tours from Sorong city to Sausapor town, Klabili village and Waigeo island of Tambrauw regency with a duration of around 7 to 8 days. This tour is suitable for visitors who are traveling in group of 2 to 4 people so that they could share the cost of transportation, accommodation and guiding service.
Birding in Tambrauw regency of West Papua
Sausapor is a coastal town that faces the blue water of Pacific Ocean. I takes around 4 hours by 4WD car from Sorong city to Sausapor. There is a nice beach resort there. Its name is Sansapore Pacific Park. The frontyard and backyard of the resort is a great place for watching seabirds as well as coastal birds such as Common Sandpiper, Lesser Frigatebird, Little-ringed Plover, Oriental Pratincole, Eclectus Parrot, Coconut Lorikeet, Palm Cockatoo, Blyth's Hornbill, Mimic Meliphaga, and a lot more. I and my clients usually spend two nights at Sansapore Pacific Park. Early in the morning at around 04:00, we wake up to make preparation and have tea or coffee as well as some biscuits and then do birding to find Lesser Birds of Paradise and King Bird of Paradise, Glossy-mantled Manucode, as well as White-bellied Cuckooshrike, Sahul Sunbird, Olive-crowned Flowerpecker, Magnificent Riflebird, Hooded Butcherbird, Black Butcherbird, Black-capped Lory, Pinon's Imperial Pigeon, Zoe's Imperial Pigeon, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Double-eyed Fig Parrot, Helmetted Friarbird, Rainbow Bee-eater, Brown Oriole, Golden Myna and a lot more.
There is coral reef at the beach, so, in addition to birding, visitors can enjoy snorkeling to see various species of fish and other marine creatures such as sea star, parrotfish, wrasse, butterflyfish, anemonefish, and a lot more.
Sansapore Pacific Park Beach Resort
Sansapore Pacific Park has got flowers that attract butterflies such as Common-Green Birdwing, Great Eggfly, cruiser butterfly, Ulysses butterfly and etc.
Frilled Monarch, Wompoo Fruit Dove, Lowland Peltop, Purple-tailed Imperial Pigeon
Klabili Village - After spending 2 nights in Sausapor, I and my clients who take this rainforest tour continue our trip to Klabili village. Our target birds to watch here include Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise, Papuan Frogmouth, Marbled Frogmouth, Hooded Pitta, Papuan Pitta, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Azure Kingfisher, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Blue-black Kingfisher, Western-crowned Pigeon, Lowland Peltop, Large Fig Parrot, Long-tailed Honey-buzzard, Brahminy Kite, Variable Goshawk, Yellow-faced Myna, Black-sided Robin, Spot-winged Monarch, Moluccan King Parrot, Slender-billed Cuckoo-dove, Emperor Fairywren, Sooty Thicket Fantail, Northern Fantail and etc. I usually spend 2 days/1 night in Klabili village. However, the duration of stay can be extended to 3 days/2 nights depending on the request if my clients.
Sorong City - This is now the capital of the newly formed Province of Papua Barat Daya (meaning Southwest Papua). Mangrove forest is the usual destination for birders who want to see Orange-breasted Fig Parrot - now called Blue-fronted Fig Parrot- (Cyclopsittagulielmitertii), Orange-fronted Fruit Dove (Ptilinopusaurantiifrons). The forest is also the habitat of White-bellied Cuckooshrike, Sahul Sunbird, Olive-backed Sunbird, Azure Kingfisher, Sacred Kingfisher, Shining Flycatcher, and Willie Wagtail, and etc.
Mangrove Park of Sorong city
Waigeo Island of Raja Ampat - The next part of the tour is birding and wildlife watching in Waigeo island of Raja Ampat. We will cross the sea by fast ferry and then continue trip by car to a beach resort of the island. Waigeo is rich of avifauna. Some of the important targets are Red Bird of Paradise, Wilson's Bird of Paradise, Beach Kingfisher, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Glossy-mantled Manucode, Violet-necked Lory, Coconut Lorikeet, Great-billed Parrot, Spice Imperial Pigeon, Moustached Treeswift, and etc.
How to get to Sorong city?
Route 1: Please, fly from your country to Singapore. After that you could continue flying to Manado city by Scoot Air. There is daily flight between Manado city and Sorong city.
Route 2: Fly from your country to Denpasar Bali of Indonesia. After that, take a direct flight from Denpasar to Sorong city by Garuda Indonesia airlines.
Route 3: Fly from your country to Jakarta which is the capital of Indonesia. Continue your trip to Sorong city by one of the domestic airlines of Indonesia.
Flight Routes to Sorong City
If you are interested in visiting Sorong city, Tambrauw mountains and Raja Ampat for birdwatching, wildlife watching and snorkeling, and want me to organize your trip, please, contact me by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.
Private or Shared Tour in Sorong City. This program is suitable for single traveler or group of people, easy walking.
Tour 1: Doom Island and Sorong Hill
Traveling to Doom Island. In the morning at around 09:00, we will go by public transportation to water taxi harbor, and cross the sea to Doom island. We will walk around the island to see local people in their daily life. During the Dutch time, Doom used to be the center of administration of Sorong. There are some old Dutch buildings and houses that still stand on the island that we could see. We will return at around 12:00.
After that, we will return to Sorong city and continue trip to a hill in Sorong city. We could see a Buddhist temple there. The scenery of some part of Sorong city is beautiful from the hill. Some birds could be watched in trees in the surrounding complex of the temple.
We could see Yellow-vented Bulbul, Eurasian Tree Sparrow, Willie Wagtail if we do birdwatching in these areas.
Walking, Sightseeing and Birdwatching Tour in Sorong City
Tour 2: Mangrove, Protected Forest, and Traditional Market
At 06:00, we will go to Mangrove forest by public transportation to walk around the boardwalk, to see the mangrove environment and to watch birds. We can see birds such as White-bellied Cuckooshrike, Olive-backed Sunbird, Brown-backed Honeyeater
We will return to the city at 09:00, a visit to local traditional market can be done to enable you to see what local people produce, sell and buy in their daily life. At around 12:00, we finish the tour. Back to your hotel for you to take a rest.
We can also visit the Cathedral Church of Christ the King whose architectural design is inspired by the bower of Vogelkop Bowerbird.
Cathedral Chuch of Christ the King in Sorong City that is inspired by bower structure of Vogelkop Bowerbird
At around 15:00, we can go by public transportation to protected forest of Sorong city to see the bird clinic and orchid garden and to see the the forest canopy from a tower.
Tour 3: Hiking, Sightseeing, and Birding in Sorong Ridge Forest and Love Hill
A visit to Sorong ridge forest in the morning to walk along a road between forest, and to watch birds as well as do sightseeing (start by a chartered car at 05:00 - finish at around 11:00).
We could see various species of birds such as Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Palm Cockatoo, Brown Oriole, Lesser Black Coucal, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Golden Cuckooshrike, Black-browed Triller, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra and etc.
Sorong City's Ridge Forest
Back to Sorong city to take a rest.
At 15:00 local time, we continue our tour to Bambu Kuning Hill to do sightseeing and birdwatching.
Tour 4: A visit to Protected Forest and Saint Mary Hill
In the morning at around 08:00, we will go by public transportation to protected forest to see nature, birds, orchids. Return to your hotel at around 10:00.
In the afternoon at 15:00, we go by public transporation to do hiking up the slope to Saint Mary Hill. There, we can see the view of Sorong city. We could watch some birds there too. At around 18:00, we return to your hotel.
