Raja Ampat Birding

Red Bird of Paradise

I have just returned from an early morning birding walk in the forest of Waigeo island. I guided two American tourists Paige and Bruce. We left Raja Ampat Dive Resort at 04.50 for a coast in the southern area of Waigeo by a small motorized boat. After that we continued our trip on foot to the lek of Red Bird of Paradise (Paradisaea rubra). It was still dark and we were walking under the trees of Raja Ampat's rainforest. We used some flashlights. A long the path, we saw millipede and toad. It took around 1 hour 30 minutes for us to reach our birding ground. The sun began to appear in the east providing more light for us.

Male Red Bird of Paradise was performing courtship dance

We heard the sounds of thunders above us. Soon the rain started to fall. Because we were determined to watch the paradise birds, we decided to stay at the birding platform. After waiting for around 30 minutes we could see the male birds of paradise jumped to the dry branches and danced up and down the near vertical branches of a tree in front of us. Sometimes they only sat on the horizontal branches or flew to palm trees in the surrounding area.
The rain fell again for another 30 minutes and the birds stopped dancing. Because they did not leave their tree, we did not leave our benches either. Soon after the rain stopped, two female Red Bird of Paradise showed up. The male ones jumped to their "poles" and began performing their courtship dance again. The cloudy weather made it dificult for me to capture this important moment by camera. I was able to take some pictures of the paradise birds. Some were quite sharp but the rest were blurry.

Palm Cockatoo

After watching birds of paradise, we walked down the slope again to the beach. We saw Moluccan King Parrot, Beautiful Fruit Dove, Claret-breasted Fruit Dove, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Mimic Meliphaga, Hooded Butcherbird, and Blyth's Hornbill. We heard the sounds of Common Paradise Kingfisher but we did not see the birds.
When we set our foot again on the beach of Raja Ampat Dive Resort, we saw some leftovers of catappa fruits falling on to the ground in front of us. When we looked up, there was a Goliath Palm Cockatoo in the tree. He walked on the branch of the tree trying to find delicious fruits for his breakfast.
If you are interested in taking a birding tour in Raja Ampat, and Sorong regency of West Papua, please, contact me by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com

 -written by Charles Roring

Also read:
Birds in Raja Ampat
Birdwatching in Raja Ampat Karst

Birding in North Sulawesi

Female Olive-backed Sunbird

I recently visited the highland and lowland of North Sulawesi from Kotamobagu to Minahasa and then to Tangkoko. This province has got beautiful landscape that attracts a lot of tourists every year. Early this month I was traveling in this region with several tourists from Republic of China also called Taiwan. We visited several places including Tomohon, Sonder, Amurang, and Tangkoko. Most of our activities were focused on birding and wildlife watching. We enjoyed birding in Mount Mahawu, Lake Linow, Temboan and the rainforest of Mount Dua Sudara Nature Reserve (famously called Tangkoko). Each tour participant whom I guided brought his or her own binoculars and camera with telephoto lens. So, taking pictures of birds in tall trees or far in a pond was an easy thing to do for each of them.

Grey-cheeked Green Pigeon

There were a lot of birds that we saw such as Maleo, Knobbed Hornbill, Pale Blue Monarch (Hypotimis puella), Grossbeak Starling (Scissirostrum dubium), Chestnut Munia (Lonchura atricapilla), Scaly-breasted Munia (Lonchura punctulata), Olive-backed Sunbird, Yellow-billed Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus calyorhynchus), Purple-winged Roller, Green-backed Kingfisher, Gross-beak Starling, Golden-mantled Racket Tail, Slender-billed Cuckoo Dove, Slender-billed Crow, Barred Rail, Lilac-cheeked Kingfisher, Great-billed Kingfisher, Scaly-breasted Kingfisher, Sooty-headed Bulbul, Black-naped Oriol,  Ashy Woodpecker, Collared Kingfisher, Sunda Teal, Black-winged Stilt, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Sulawesi Scops Owl, Ochre-bellied Boobok, and a lot more.
We also saw a lot of butterflies, and dragonflies. In addition to birds and insects, we saw squirrels, Celebes-crested Macaque monkeys, Snake and Cuscus Possum in the forest.
Cultural Tour

Farmland in Minahasa Highland

As a tourist guide, I can combine birding tour with special culture tour for visitors who are also interested in seeing Minahasan people in their daily life. We could visit farmland and see how villagers work in their garden, work in ricefield and fishpond. We could also see the traditional market and see agricultural produce and other products which local people sell and buy.  A trip to see farmers who make traditional liquor from palm sap or palm sugar can be organized too.
If you are interested in visiting North Sulawesi and want me to be your guide, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180

Also read:

• Birding in Minahasa
• Sonder

Birding and Snorkeling Tours in Raja Ampat islands

Red Bird of Paradise

As a tourist guide I organize birding and snorkeling tour adventure for tourists who want to visit Raja Ampat islands. The duration of the tour is between 3 to 5 days depending on the length of the holiday that tourists have. The tour can be organized based on the following itinerary:
Day 1
Arriving in Sorong town
Transfer by boat to Waisai town of Raja Ampat
Arriving in Waisai, transfer to homestay. (A stay in a Beach resort can be organized depending on the request of customers)
Take a rest
We could start birding around the homestay to find Pacific Swallow, Torresian Crow, Lesser Frigatebird, and etc.
Day 2

Coral Reef in Waigeo

Early morning trip to watch Wilson's Bird of Paradise after that visitors could return to homestay to take a rest. Birding around the area of the homestay. There are birds such as Blyth's hornbill, Eclectus Parrot, Yellow-faced Myna, Beach Kingfisher, Willie Wagtail, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, and etc.
Lunch time. Rest
At 15.00, another birding trip can be done to watch Red Bird of Paradise. After that visitors could return to homestay. Tour participants can enjoy snorkeling or freediving at the beach in front of the homestay. Reef fish such as Striped Surgeonfish, Convict Surgeonfish, Anemonefish, and Parrotfish can be seen in the water.
Day 3
We will go to the beach. There, we can slowly walk along the area to watch Beach Kingfisher, Sacred Kingfisher, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Brahminy Kite, Violet-necked Lory or Great-billed Parrot. In the afternoon, after lunch, we could check-out from the hotel and then transfer to ferry harbor before leaving for Sorong city.
End of the Tour
The above itinerary should be seen as a referens only. However, it can be customized according to the needs of tour participants. For booking, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com

Adventure Tour in the Islands of Raja Ampat

Last week, I went to Raja Ampat to work as a guide for a group of birding tourists. We enjoyed birding in Waigeo and Merpati island. We saw a lot of birds including the Great-billed Parrot, Arafura fantail, Lemon-bellied White Eye, Red Bird of Paradise, Wilson's Bird of Paradise, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Beach Kingfisher, Sacred Kingfisher. On an extra trip to Sorong, we watched Orange-fronted Fruit Dove, King Birds of Paradise, Frilled Monarch, Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher.
I often go to Raja Ampat islands to organize tours both for solo traveling visitor or for a group of tourists. During the trips in this archipelago, I combine various activities such as hiking and birding, snorkeling and freediving, island hopping and sightseeing tours. To enhance the adventure experience, I suggest that every visitor brings his or her own binoculars, birding/ telephoto lens camera, underwater/ action camera, as well as snorkeling gear.

Raja Ampat karst

My favorite snorkeling and freediving sites are Isanak beach and Mamiaef in the east of Waigeo, Yenbuba strait, Sawondarek jetty, West Mansuar, Kri island, Fam, Five Rocks and Friwen. There are also a lot of coral reef sites around Gam islands that are very good.

The duration of the trip is usually 3 days to 5 days. I usually bring field guide books such as Birds of New Guinea written by Thane K. Pratt and Bruce Beehler; and Reef Fish Identification Tropical Pacific by Gerald Allen and his friends. These books are important for identifying fish and birds that we will see during the tours in Raja Ampat islands.

I know that there are tourists who go to Raja Ampat just to enjoy the scenery and see the beauty of the marine life without feeling the need to identify wildlife. For me, I am fine with that kind of trip. 

Most of my tours are supported by local villagers whose homestay we use as an affordable accommodation. When we go on a tour to karst islets, we will use an outrigger motorized wooden boat. This small marine vehicle will allow us to visit remote islets that are locate inside Kabui bay. If the weather is good, I could organize trip to islands located in the south west of Kri and Mansuar to enjoy swimming and birding.

Courtship Dance of a male Red Bird of Paradise

Red Bird of Paradise is the vocal point of the birding activity in Waigeo island. The watch them we need to go hiking in the mornings and in the afternoons. More birds activity can be seen during those time periods. However, there are also other beautiful birds that we could watch such as the Eclectus Parrot, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, or Palm Cockatoo.

Most of the trip can be customized according to the needs of visitors. Please, contact me (Charles Roring) by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.

Birding and Snorkeling in Raja Ampat Karst

Red Bird of Paradise in Raja Ampat

I have just completed another birding, snorkeling, and sightseeing tour for a Dutch visitor in Raja Ampat karst islets. The way we did birding was quite different from my other birding trips in Klabolo forest, Arfak mountains and Syugrar river.
In Raja Ampat, we had a special day where we just sat in a motorized outrigger boat and did a birding tour throughout the karst formation of the archipelago. It was a fascinating trip because we were able to see a lot of species of birds without having to walk up and down the steep slopes of Waigeo or Batanta islands. Some of the birds that we saw were: Spice Imperial Pigeon, Rainbow Bee-eater, Eastern Reef Egret, Brahminy Kite, Black-capped Lory, Eclectus Parrot, Lesser Frigatebird, Pacific Swallow, Striated Heron, Palm Cockatoo, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, White-bellied Seaeagle, and etc.

Spice Imperial Pigeon

Most of the birding visitors who go to Raja Ampat want to watch Red Bird of Paradise and Wilson's Bird of Paradise.
To watch them, we had to wake up early in the morning and did hiking to the lek of the Red Bird of Paradise for around 45 minutes. We watched them from 06.30 to 09.00. I used a pair of Visionking 10×42 mm binoculars. I also brought a 20 -60×60 mm spotting scope to watch birds in distant trees. Camera with telephoto lens such as D-SLR camera with 600 mm lens, bridge camera Nikon Coolpix B700 or Fujifilm HS50EXR could enhance the birding experience of every visitor who wants to take picture of the paradise birds. For identification of the birds, I brought a field-guide book Birds of New Guinea written by Thane K. Pratt and Bruce Beehler.
Birding in the karst region of Raja Ampat by boat is something that I consider unique. It was a nice experience for most of the participants of the birding tours that I have organized and guided in the last few months.

White-breasted Woodswallow

I am also an avid snorkeler and freediver. So, after guiding birders in hundreds of coral islets, I like to spend my relax time by taking pictures of marine life of Raja Ampat. I don't use a professional underwater camera. My photographic device was only an action camera Brica Pro5 Alpha Edition. With this small tool, I could take pictures of coral reef and colorful fish. At depths of 2 to 7 meters, I saw Striped Surgeonfish, Convict Surgeonfish, Diagonal Sweetlips, Parrotfish, Wrasse, Grouper, Anemonefish, and Blacktip Shark. July is not the best season for snorkeling and freediving in Raja Ampat. But there are places in the islands where the waters are calm and suitable for marine tour.

Marine Life in Raja Ampat

For visitors who can't swim but want to enjoy snorkeling, they can do that easily by wearing a lifejacket and a snorkeling set (mask, snorkel and water shoes). I suggest that every visitor bring his or her own snorkeling and birding equipment (binoculars, field guidebook, laser pointer, and sound recording)
If you are interested in taking a birding, snorekeling tour to the karst of Raja Ampat and want me to be your guide, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.co  or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.

Birding in Raja Ampat's Miracle Islets

Birding by boat in Miracle islets

I have just returned from Raja Ampat islands in the western most region of West Papua. I went there to guide a few American visitors on a birding, snorkeling and sightseeing tour for 3 days. This tour was different from my previous trips because I added a new birding site in the itinerary. I call its name Miracle islets.
Accompanied by local villagers, I and three visitors went to the islets by a motorized boat to enjoy sightseeing of the beautiful marine landscape and to watch various species of birds that live in there. It was approximately 03.00 p.m when we entered the Miracle islets.  Most of them looked like mushrooms with trees growing out from their steep slopes and vertical walls. The waters were calm but the visibility was zero. We could not see the bottom of the sea.

Wilson's Bird of Paradise

We were welcomed by a Streated Heron that was sitting on a small rock and Eastern Osprey soaring in the sky. He flew away as we moved closer into the interior waters of the islets. We saw Beach Kingfisher flying fast to a small tree and then landed on its higher branch.
I also saw a pigeon whose wings looked green. He had got a knob on his bill. The tops of the islets were noisy with the sounds of lorikeet. I could not identify them because they were to far from me. There were Olive-backed Sunbird, Little Frigatebird, Brahminy Kite, Crested Tern, Pacific Swallow, Rainbow Bee-eater, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Black-capped Lory, Singing Starling, Red-cheeked Parrot, and Great-billed Parrot. I saw a hooded butherbird sitting on the top of a small island very far from us. Using my Fujifilm HS50EXR, I shot the bird. The picture was not so sharp but it was good enough for identification.
We were surprized by the birding experience in these small islets. It was more than our expectation.

Hooded Butcherbird in Miracle islets of Raja Ampat

Unfortunately, the weather changed so fast. The thick clouds were gathering so fast. We felt that it was going to rain soon. So, we decided to return to our guesthouse. The next two days, we continued our birding trips in the forest of Waigeo where we watched Wilson's Bird of Paradise and Red Bird of Paradise. Eclectus Parrots, Torresian Crow, Hook-billed Kingfisher, Little Kingfisher, and Great Cuckoo Dove were active in the mornings after we left the beach by boat.
During the days, I and the visitors enjoyed snorkeling to see various colorful fish and coral reef. Some that I recognize were Striped Surgeonfish, Damselfish, Grouper, Moorish Idol, Butterflyfish. There were blue Sea Stars too.
This journey to Raja Ampat was part of a 2-week birding tour in West Papua covering Arfak mountains, Klasow valley, Sorong, and Raja Ampat.
If you are interested in taking a birding tour in Raja Ampat and other places in West Papua province of the Republic of Indonesia and want me to be your guide, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180. I will be happy to organize your trip and guide you to this beautiful archipelago.

Birding Excursion in Sorong Ridge Forest

Australian lady birding in rainforest of Sorong regency

I had another birding excursion with two Australian visitors in Sorong Ridge Forest a few days ago. They contacted me when they were still in Saporkren of Raja Ampat. I answered their emails and agreed with them on one day tour to Ridge Forest of Sorong city to find such birds as Oriental Dollarbird, Rainbow Bee-eater, Orange-bellied Fruit Dove, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Blyth's Hornbill, Black Sunbird, Olive Crowned Sunbird (also called Yellow-bellied Sunbird), Double-eyed Fig Parrot, Singing Starling, Eclectus Parrot.
To enhance the birding experience of the tour participants, I brought a Kinglux 20-60×60 spotting scope and a field guide book: Birds of New Guinea written by Thane K. Pratt and Bruce Beehler. As we walked deeper into the forest, we saw more birds including Yellow-faced Myna, Brahminy Kite, and Black-browed Triller.

Oriental Dollarbird (Birding in Ridge Forest of Sorong city)

In the middle of the day, we reached a river located below ridge of the forest. We stopped there for a while to have hot tea and coffee. I and my friend made a fire to boil water in a cattle that he brought from his house. While we were drinking tea, rain started to fall. Fortunately it did not last long and we were able to walk back again to the main road. We still did some birding along the trails and saw Grey-headed Goshawk, and a couple of Fairy Lorikeet (Charmosyna pulchella). I used my Visionking 10×42 binocular to find the birds whereas the Australian lady used her Pentax one.
We also saw an Eupholus beetle, some species of butterflies, melastoma shrubs and beautiful mountain forest of Sorong regency.

Female Black Sunbird

This birding excursion in Sorong Ridge Forest is highly recommended for visitors who were on their trips to Raja Ampat. They could take this tour before or after their scuba diving and snorkeling tours. I suggest that they take the tour in a group of at least three, four or more participants to share the cost.
Sorong city is an important gate to Raja Ampat. There are daily regular flights between Sorong and several major cities in Indonesia such as Jakarta, Surabaya, Ambon, Makassar and Manado. Batik, Garuda, Sriwijaya, Nam Air, Travira and Wings Air provide affordable flights to Sorong. As a tourist guide, I could organize birding and snorkeling tours for visitors who want to visit Sorong city, Raja Ampat and even Arfak range of Manokwari.
Please, contact me (Charles Roring) by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to my number: +6281332245180.

Snorkeling in Raja Ampat and Birding in Sorong

Marine Life in Raja Ampat islands

I often organize snorkeling and birding tour in Raja Ampat and Sorong forest. Visitors who come to West Papua like to enjoy swimming and snorkeling as well as hiking and birding in the forest. Raja Ampat is a must see destination for visitors who wants to see pristine coral reef, with various species of fish such as Butterflyfish, Anemonefish, Moorish Idol, Boxfish, Grouper, and etc. To enjoy snorkeling, visitors need to bring their own snorkel, masks, and fins. A good underwater camera will greatly enhance the swimming and snorkeling experience. Because coral reef is fragile, visitors must maintain their buoyancy to be always on the surface of the sea. Experienced swimmers often practice free diving to see fish and other marine creatures closer. However, for beginning snorkelers, I highly suggest that they use life-jackets that are usually available in every homestay.

Rainbow Bee-eater

I usually organize the tours into 3 days/ 2 nights hiking and camping in Sorong forest + 3 days hiking and snorkeling in Raja Ampat islands. For Sorong ridge forest, the target birds are Helmetted Friarbird, Olive-backed Sunbird, Coconut Lorikeet, Brahminy Kite, Rainbow Bee-eater and Yellow-faced Myna. For Raja Ampat forest, visitors can watch Red Bird of Paradise, Eclectus Parrot, Torresian Crow, Hooded Butcherbird, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Spangled Drongo, Beach Kingfisher, and Willie Wagtail. There are several devices that visitors need to bring in order to enjoy birding in Raja Ampat and Sorong. The ones that I highly recommend are binoculars, spotting scope, head torch, sport-shoes or hiking boots. A field guide book: Birds of New Guinea written by Thane K Pratt and Bruce Beehler will greatly enhance the birding knowledge and identification skill of birdwatchers.

In addition to birds, visitors who go hiking and birding in Raja Ampat and Sorong forests will also see various kinds of tropical vegetation such as large iron-wood tree, jackfruit, or even wild terrestrial orchid flowers.
To share the cost of traveling, I suggest that visitors come in a group of 2 to 4 people.

Getting to Sorong and Raja Ampat

To go to Sorong city and Raja Ampat, you need to fly from your country to Jakarta city - the capital of Indonesia. Depending on where you live, you can take such airlines as Air Asia, KLM, or Lufthansa.

When you arrive in Jakarta, you can take a domestic flight to Sorong city. Several Indonesian airlines provide regular flight service to Sorong. Some of them are Garuda, Batik, Sriwijaya, Nam Air and Lion.

I will meet you at the airport and organize your trip both to the ridge forest of Sorong and to Raja Ampat islands.

Booking

 If you are interested in taking the tours that I offer, please, contact me by whatsapp: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com
Also read:
Snorkeling Raja Ampat
What is Raja Ampat
Raja Ampat Snorkeling and Birding Tour

Birding in Sorong and Raja Ampat of Indonesia

Kingfisher

I offer birding tours for visitors who are interested in watching tropical birds both in the forests of Raja Ampat and Sorong. The duration of the tour can be customized into a few days up to more than one week.

Birds that can be watched during the tour include Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Olive-backed Sunbird, Rainbow Bee-eater, Olive-crowned Flowerpecker, Amboyna Cuckoo-Dove, Wompoo Fruit-Dove, Beautiful Fruit-Dove, Pink-spotted Fruit-Dove, Western Black-capped Lory, Rainbow Lorikeet, Eclectus Parrot, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Red-cheeked Parrot and Palm Cockatoo, Large Fig Parrot, Black Parrot, Dollarbird, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Magnificent Riflebird, King Bird of Paradise, Glossy-mantled Manucode, Lesser Birds of Paradise, Red Bird of Paradise, Wilson's Bird of Paradise, Hooded Butcherbird, Spangled Drongo, Beach Kingfisher, Torresian Crow, Hook-billed Kingfisher, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Crested-Tern, Papuan Hornbill, Willie Wagtail, etc.

Things to prepare:

• Binoculars such as Swarovski EL 8.5× 42 or any binoculars that are good enough to produce clear images og birds in distant trees.
• Camera with telephoto lens. A bridge camera such such Canon SX60HS, and Nikon P900 are very powerful photographic device for taking picture of birds. If you have got spotting scope, you could bring it too.
• Watershoes or hiking boots, t-shirts and pants that are suitable for hiking and watching birds in the forest.

How to get to Sorong?

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

• For international flights, you can fly from your country to Jakarta - the capital of Indonesia. 
• For domestic flights, you can continue your trip by flying to Sorong city. Daily regular flights are provided by such airlines as Garuda, Sriwijaya, Batik, Nam, and Lion Air.

Booking

Please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or use whatsapp: +6281332245180

Olive-backed Sunbird

This is the picture of Olive-backed Sunbird (Cynniris jugularis) which I saw when I was guiding a lady on a snorkeling and birding tour in Waigeo island of Raja Ampat. The sundbird has got yellow color on its belly with blue feather on its throat. I shot it using my old camera Fujifilm HS50EXR.  We also watched Red Bird of Paradise, Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, Kingfisher, Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Papuan Blyth's hornbill and a lot of other birds that live in the forest and coastal area of Raja Ampat.

For snorkeling, we went to seome uninhabited islands that were not too far from the main Waigeo island. It was really a nice experience because we could see beautiful nature, colorful birds and swim at secluded white sandy beach of Raja Ampat.
If you are interested in taking an adventure tour in Raja Ampat or other areas in West Papua, please, contact me by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp: +6281332245180.

Birding and Riverwalk Tour in Manokwari Lowland

Birding Tour in Manokwari

As an important destination of birdwatching in West Papua, Manokwari has got several sites for birdwatching. One of them is Mesirrokow forest. It is a lowland area in the west of the regency and suitable for tourists who want to see tropical jungle and watch such birds as Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, Hornbill, Rainbow Lorikeet, Dollarbird, Rainbow Bee-eater, Variable Goshawk, Willie Wagtail, Little-ringed Plover, Eclectus Parrot, and a lot more.

Birding in Mesirrokow forest is relatively easy because most of the activities will be done along the riverside. As visitors walk along the banks, they will be able to watch birds that sit on the branches of big trees or fly over the rivers.

Camping

Sulphur Crested Cockatoo

I provide tents, sleeping bags, cooking and eating utensils, for tourists who want to take the birding and riverwalk tour with me. We will stay in several different campsites during the trip. The longer we stay, the deeper will be the forest that we are going to explore. 

Birding Optics

Birdwatching tourists usually bring binoculars, spotting scope, and telephoto camera such as Nikon Coolpix P900 or Canon SX60HS. Professional photographers usually bring D-SLR camera with telephoto lens and tripod that are heavy. As a tourist guide, I provide a pair of binoculars for visitors who want to see birds in the jungle if they do not have such devices.

What to bring
Most of our activities will be carried out along the river. Here are some articles that visitors should bring or wear: water shoes, flash light/ torch, bathing suit if you want to swim in the river, anti insect-mosquito lotion, sunscreen lotion, clothing that is suitable for tropical weather.
Flights to Manokwari

Birdwatching in Manokwari

Domestic Airlines that fly to Manokwari from Jakarta include Garuda, Xpress Air, Sriwijaya Air, Wings Air and Batik Air and Nam Air.

• Fly from your country to Jakarta or Denpasar in Indonesia
• After that fly to Manokwari city 
• I will meet you at the airport or hotel in Manokwari and organize your trip into the jungle. 

Field Guide Book

Birds of New Guinea written by Thane K. Pratt and Bruce Beehler is the most recommended book for visitors who want to go birding in West Papua.

Please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or whatsapp message to +6281332245180 if you are interested in taking this tour.

Birding in Sorong Regency

Male Lesser Birds of Paradise

Sorong regency has got a nice birding site that is located in Klasow valley. The tropical rainforest that exists in the region is the natural habitat of a lot of species of birds such as Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Beautiful Fruit Dove, Great Cuckoo Dove, Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Golden Myna, Large Fig Parrot, Red-cheeked Parrot, Moustached Treeswift, Helmetted Friarbird, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, King Bird of Paradise, Lesser Bird of Paradise, Magnificent Riflebird, Northern Cassowary and a lot more.
Visitors usually spend between 3 to 5 days in the jungle of Sorong regency to see these unique New Guinea birds that live in lowland forest of the island. Tourists who go to the valley can stay in a wooden house that was constructed by local people.
As a tourist guide, I organize birding tours for visitors who come from various countries including the United Kingdom, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Indonesia, Sweden, Switzerland, Australia and other countries from North America.

Birding Gear

Wompoo Fruit Dove

To go birding in Klasow valley, visitors need to bring binoculars and if possible, a good spotting scope with at least 20-60×60 magnification. Birds of New Guinea by Thane K. Pratt and Bruce Beehler is a highly recommended field guide book for tourists who want to watch birds in the valley and other places in this region.
Two Different Administrations
New Guinea as the largest tropical island in the world, administratively is devided into 2 territories. The first one is Papua New Guinea - which is an independent state and second one is West Papua - which as the territory of the Republic of Indonesia. There are two provinces in West Papua, i.e. Papua Province with Jayapura as its capital and Papua Barat with Manokwari as its capital. Sorong is part of Papua Barat province.

Nankeen Night Heron

How to reach Klasow valley in Sorong regency

• First, you need to fly from your country to Jakarta (the capital of Indonesia), 
• After that you could choose a domestic airline such as Sriwijaya Air, Garuda, Sriwijaya Air, Lion Air, Nam Air or Batik Air to fly to Sorong city
• I could meet you at Domine Eduard Osok (DEO) airport of Sorong city and organize your trip to Klasow valley.

Alternative flight route:

You could fly from your country to Singapore. After that you could use Silk Air to fly to Manado city in the North Sulawesi province of Indonesia and then continue your trip by Wings Air to Sorong city.

Itinerary

Day 1 Arriving in Sorong city, buying food supply from local market, transfer by 4wd car to Klasow valley in Sorong regency, birding and wildlife watching

Day 2 Birding and wildlife watching

Day 3 Birding and Wildlife watching

Day 4 Birding and Wildlife Watching, return to Sorong city

If you still want to continue your birding trip in other areas of West Papua, I could organize your birding tours to Raja Ampat and Manokwari or even to Numfor island

Booking

Please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by sending whatsapp text message to: +6281332245180

Birding and Wildlife Watching Tour in Lowland Rainforest of Manokwari

Blyth's Hornbill (Rhyticeros plicatus)

Lowland Rainforest of Manokwari
There is a beautiful birding site in northwest area of Manokwari regency. The lowland tropical rainforest that covers the region is the natural habitat of a lot of species of birds including Willie Wagtail, Little-ringed Plover, Little Egret, Yellow-faced Myna, Golden Myna, Dollarbird, Eclectus Parrot, Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, Palm Cockatoo, Papuan Blyth's Hornbill, Moluccan King Parrot, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Great Cuckoo Dove, Beautiful Fruit Dove, Brahminy Kite, Rainbow Bee-eater and a lot more.
I have organized numerous birding and wildlife watching tours to this forest for visitors who come from Europe, Australia, North America and China.
Birding Along the River

Birding in Lowland Forest of Manokwari

The easiest way to enjoy birding in this lowland area is by walking along the banks of the river. The ground is mostly flat and suitable for women or birdwatchers who want an easy birding walk.
On the average, the birding tour lasts between 3 to 5 days.
The longer the number of days we stay in the jungle, the deeper will be our walk into the forest.
It is not only birds that visitors can see in the lowland forest of Manokwari but also other animals such as butterflies, beetles, cicada, freshwater fish. Fruitbats like to eat breadfruits whose trees grow along both sides of the river.
Birding Gear

Blyth's hornbill

Visitors are highly recommended to bring their own binoculars 10x42 or 12x50 mm and spotting scope 20-60x60. A field guide book such as "Birds of New Guinea" written by Thane K. Pratt and Bruce Beehler will needed to identify birds that we see in trees.  Taking pictures of birds are highly encouraged. A bridge camera Canon SX60 HS or Nikon Coolpix P900 is an affordable choice for taking pictures of birds in distant trees.
Camping

Campsite 1 Manokwari lowland forest

As a tourist guide, I provide camping gear, cooking and eating utensils for visitors who are interested in taking this birding tour. So, they don't need to carry these heavy things in their luggage. We may stay in only one campsite during the whole time of the tour but mostly we move our tents deeper into the jungle every day and return to main road in the last day of the tour. Local villagers will work as porters and cooks. Because, this tour is conducted in the jungle, the food that we eat will be the simple ones.