Wildlife Watching, Birding and Photography Tours in Sorong city, Malagufuk of Klasouw valley of Sorong regency, Klabili and Sausapor in Tambrauw, Waigeo and Salawati in Raja Ampat of West Papua as well as Sonder, Tomohon, Mount Mahawu, Manado, Tangkoko Nature Reserve 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.
Pages
- Trekking Tour to the Top of Arfak Mountains
- Birding in Arfak Mountains
- Birding in West Papua - A Trip Report
- Birding and Wildlife Tour in Tangkoko Nature Reserve
- About Me/ How to Contact Me
- Sorong City Tours
- Explore Sorong City and Its Surroundings
- Private Tour in Sorong City
- Birding near Sorong City
- Short Birding Tour in Sorong City
- Birding at the Outskirts of Sorong City
- Sorong City Sightseeing and Birdwatching Tour
- Nature Tour Near Sorong City
- Birdwatching in Minahasa Highland
- Jungle Tour Near Sorong City
- Birding in North Sulawesi
- Birding in Sonder of Minahasa Regency
- Birdwatching Tour in the Farmland and Forest of Minahasa Highland
- Manado City Tour: Birdwatching and Sightseeing
- Birding in Raja Ampat Islands
- Raja Ampat Snorkeling Tour
- Birds in North Sulawesi
- Birdwatching in Sonder of Minahasa Highland of Indonesia
Friday, December 11, 2015
Tambrauw Mountains - a Recommended Destination for Rainforest Tour
The mountain range of Tambrauw can be reached by 4WD car from Sorong city. Its tropical rainforest is the natural habitat of a lot of species of animals including Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, Blyth's hornbill and Goliath Cockatoo. I promote it as a new destination this year for visitors who are interested in exploring the rich bio-diversity of Papua's jungle.
Camping Gear
Usually tourists who come in groups between 4 and 6 people spend between 4 and 5 days in Tambrauw regency. If you are interested in traveling to West Papua and want to take jungle tour, please, make sure that you bring all the necessary gear including dome tent, rolling mattrass or sleeping bag, raincoat, flash light, binoculars for watching wild animals and digital camera with telephoto lens and extra batteries.
Water Shoes
Most of the walks into deeper area of the jungle will be done along the banks of the river. Visitors will have to cross a river many times. That's why it is important to have a good pair of water shoes. You could buy the shoes at a local shoe store in your town or order them directly based on the following recommendation.
How to get there?
Fly from your country to Jakarta ( the capital of Indonesia)
Fly to Sorong city
I will meet you at the airport or at the hotel where you stay and organize your trip to Tambrauw mountains.
I suggest that the participants of the tour should be 3 or more people to share the cost of the tour.
Booking
I will be happy to arrange the tour, calculate the cost and prepare the itinerary for you. Please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or you could call me, send text/ whatsapp message to my number: +6281332245180 for more information.
Monday, November 16, 2015
Rainforest Tour in Syugrar River of Tambrauw Regency
Hiking, Birding and Wildlife Watching in Tambrauw Mountains |
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Lesser Bird of Paradise |
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Sulphur-crested Cockatoo |
Also read:
Birdwatching and Snorkeling in Raja Ampat
Raja Ampat Snorkeling
Snorkeling Vacation in Raja Ampat archipelago
Friday, November 13, 2015
Rainforest Tour along Syugrar River of Tambrauw Regency
We built our first camps at the side of Syuan river but the next morning we had to move to Syugrar river to avoid the strong current of Syuan. We wanted to walk deeper into the jungle to see the rainforest ecosystem.
We spent 3 days/ 2 nights trekking, camping, swimming and wildlife watching along Syugrar river. For the Polish tourists, it was a unique experience because they had never seen tropical rainforest before.
If you are also interested in taking a rainforest tour in Tambrauw mountains, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com.
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Jungle Tour in Sorong Regency
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Hiking in Sorong forest of West Papua |
As a tourist guide, I have arranged trips for tourists who are interested in exploring the tropical rainforest of Klasow valley. Most of them stay for 3 days/ 2 nights or 4 days/ 3 nights.
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Western Crowned Pigeon (Goura cristata) in the jungle of Klasow valley |
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Large Fig Parrot in the jungle of Klasow valley |
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Lesser Bird of Paradise |
- Sorong city Sightseeing and Birding Attractions
- Birding and Sightseeing in Sorong and Raja Ampat
- Birding near Sorong city
- Sorong Birding and Raja Ampat Snorkeling
- Short Birding Tour in Sorong City
- Orchid in Raja Ampat
Birdwatching in the Minahasa Highlands: A Hidden Gem for Nature Lovers
Nestled in the heart of North Sulawesi, Indonesia, the Minahasa Highlands are a paradise not just for scenic mountain lovers but also for birdwatchers seeking to encounter rare and endemic species. From lush montane forests to tranquil crater lakes and farmlands, this region offers a spectacular array of bird habitats—and an unforgettable birding experience.
Why Choose Minahasa Highlands for Birdwatching?
The Minahasa Highlands are part of Sulawesi, an island famed for its high rate of endemism. Over 330 bird species have been recorded here, nearly a third of which are found nowhere else on Earth. The cooler mountain air and beautiful landscapes also make it one of the most comfortable and scenic birding regions in Indonesia.
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Sulawesi Hanging Parrot |
Best Birding Sites in the Highlands
1. Sonder and Tounelet Forest
Located about an hour’s drive from Manado, the town of Sonder is surrounded by forest edges, hills, and farmland. In the early mornings, birdwatchers can spot species such as:
Sulawesi Hanging Parrot
Pale Blue Monarch
Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker
Mountain White-eye
Black-crowned White-eye
Crimson Sunbird
Sooty-headed Bulbul
Black-naped Oriole
Evening birding walks may reward visitors with views of the elusive Sulawesi Scops Owl and other nocturnal birds.
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Mountain White-eye |
2. Mount Mahawu
A dormant volcano near Tomohon, Mount Mahawu is covered with montane forest that hosts:
Crimson Sunbird
Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher
Turquoise Flycatcher
Sulawesi Drongo
Sulawesi Leaf Warbler
White-faced Cuckoo-dove
Superb Fruit Dove
This area is ideal for more experienced birders aiming to spot highland endemics.
3. Lake Linow near Lahendong
These crater lakes offer a different birding experience, featuring open water and marshy habitats. Visitors may encounter:
Wandering Whistling Duck
Gray Teal
Barred Rail
Purple Heron
Little Egret
Gray-rumped Treeswift
The lakeside scenery also makes this a great location for photography and relaxing birdwatching.
4. Farmland and Rice Fields
The agricultural zones around Sonder and Tomohon provide a contrasting habitat, attracting:
Collared Kingfisher
White-breasted Woodswallow
Cattle Egret
Eastern Yellow Wagtail
Chestnut Munia
Scaly-breasted Munia
White-browed Crake
Cinnamon Bittern
These areas are best explored early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
Unique Endemic Species to Watch For
Minahasa Masked Owl
Matinan Blue Flycatcher
Satanic Nightjar
Sulawesi Myzomela
Hair-crested Drongo (White-eyed form)
Minahasa Hooded Pitta
These special species are on every birder’s Sulawesi wishlist and highlight the conservation importance of the region.
When to Visit
The dry season (May to September) is the best time for birdwatching, with clear skies and easier access to forest trails. However, birding is enjoyable year-round, especially in the early morning (06:00–09:30) and late afternoon (15:00–18:00) when bird activity peaks.
Practical Tips
🛫 Arrive via Sam Ratulangi International Airport in Manado.
🚗 Stay in Tomohon or Sonder, which offer both comfortable hotels and local homestays.
🔠Bring binoculars (8×42 or 10×42), a camera with a telephoto lens, and a torch for night walks.
🧠Hire a local birding guide to improve your chances of spotting rare species and navigating forest trails.
Beyond Birds: Butterflies and Scenery
Birding in Minahasa often comes with delightful surprises—colorful butterflies such as the Common Birdwing or Sulawesi Tree Nymph flutter through the gardens and forest trails. And while you search for birds, you’ll be treated to views of steaming volcanoes, vibrant flower farms, and unique Minahasan culture.
Final Thoughts
The Minahasa Highlands are one of Indonesia’s most underrated birding destinations. Whether you’re a seasoned ornithologist or a beginner with binoculars, this region promises stunning avian diversity, peaceful natural beauty, and genuine cultural warmth. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore this birdwatching treasure.
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🦉 Have you visited Minahasa Highlands for birdwatching? Share your experience in the comments below!
📧 Need help organizing a birding trip here? Contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.—I’ll be glad to help you plan routes, accommodations, and connect you with local guides.
Also read:
- Flower Tour in Minahasa Highland
- Birding and Wildlife Watching Tour in Tangkoko and Minahasa Highland
- Birdwatching in Sonder of Minahasa Highland
- Tropical Birds in Sonder of Minahasa Highland
- Birding Walk in the Farmland and Paddy Fields of Sonder Town
- Birdwatching in the Farmland of Sonder of Minahasa Highland
- Birding in Tangkoko Nature Reserve
- Birds in North Sulawesi
- Birdwatching Tour in the Farmland and Forest of Minahasa Highland
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
Wave Surfing Expedition in Manokwari
Abasi Surfing is going to conduct surf expedition along the north and south coastline of Manokwari from 15 to 21 December 2015. There are a lot of unexplored surf spots in the region. We now open the registration for everybody who is interested in participating in this expedition.
Please, bring your own surfboards and make sure that you arrive in Manokwari city before 15 December.
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Surf Expedition in Manokwari |
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Surf Expedition in West Papua's capital of Manokwari |
- Fly from your country to Jakarta.
- And then, take a domestic flight to Manokwari city. Indonesian airlines such as Sriwijaya Air, Garuda, Lion Air and Express Air have got regular flights to Manokwari. There are passenger liners from PELNI that regularly sail between Jakarta and Manokwari (Please, check pelni.co.id for schedule and ticket price)
- We will meet you at the airport or ship harbor.
Cost: 4 million rupiahs (approximately 260 Euros). The cost includes transportation between Manokwari and the surf spots, accommodation and food.
For registration and further info, please, contact: abasiklubsurfing@gmail.com.
Saturday, October 24, 2015
Trekking and Camping at the Banks of Syuan River
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Hiking in the jungle of Tambrauw regency |
Syuan had a lot of spots that were good for swimming. The water was crystal clear and cool. The atmosphere was filled with fresh air. While walking or sitting at the side of the river, We could hear the sounds of birds, and insects that were mixed with the sounds of flowing water. They were a nice natural music that could refresh our mind.
Tents were built by the river |
- Birdwatching in Sonder of Minahasa Highland of Indonesia
- Birding in Sonder of Minahasa
- Birding in the Paddy Fields of Subdistrict Sonder
- Birdwatching in the Farmland of Sonder Town
- Walking Tour, Birdwatching and Butterflywatching in District Sonder of Minahasa Highland
- Birds in North Sulawesi
- Birdwatching Tour in the Farmland and Forest of Minahasa Highland
- Manado City Tour: Birdwatching and Sightseeing
- Birding in North Sulawesi
- Birdwatching in Sulawesi
- Birdwatching in Minahasa Highland
- Collared Kingfisher
- Birding in Minahasa of North Sulawesi
- Birding in Higher Elevation Forest of Minahasa
- https://wildlifeminahasa.blogspot.com
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Itinerary for the Rainforest Tour in Tambrauw Mountains of West Papua
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Camping site at Cuan rive |
Activities: trekking, camping, riverwalk, swimming, wildlife/ birdwatching
Reservation is still open
Group Size Limit: 4 people
Price: ...
Itinerary
Day 1
We will meet you in Sorong city and transfer you to Tambrauw regency by 4WD car. It takes around 4 hours by car from from Sorong city to Sausapor town. We will inform local authorities and the local police about our rainforest tour activity and then continue our trip to the stop point in the forest edge of Tambrauw mountains and 30 minutes of walking along the bank of Syuan river to reach our first base camp. The rainforest which we will explore is located in the bird's head (vogelkop) region of West Papua. Overnight stay in the jungle tents.
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Soa-soa Lizard in Tambrauw Forest |
Trekking/ jungle walk, riverwalk, night walk, wildlife and birdwatching, swimming, camping
Day 3
Trekking/ jungle walk, riverwalk, wildlife and birdwatching, swimming, camping
Day 4
We still have time to enjoy the scenery of the river and rainforest. After breakfast, we will dismantle our tents and leave the forest.
A short tour around Sausapor town and its surrounding area
Transfer to Sorong city
How to get there?
- Fly from your country to Jakarta (the capital of Indonesia)
- Fly from Jakarta to Sorong city. Domestic airlines such as Garuda, Sriwijaya, Express Air, and Nam Air have got regular flights to Sorong.
- I will meet you in Sorong city and organize your trip to the rainforest.
Lowland forest of Tambrauw regency
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Rainforest along the side area of Cuan river |
Tambrauw regency is located between Sorong and Manokwari. To go trekking in the rainforest of Tambrauw, we need to charter a 4WD car from Sorong city. It takes approximately 4 hours from Sorong city to Sausapor town (the temporary capital of Tambrauw). After registering our names in the local police station, we can continue our trip to Cuan river where we will be able to stay for a few days in the jungle.
Wildlife
Binoculars and bridge camera such as Nikon Coolpix P900 will be useful for birdwatching and wildlife watching.
To enhance your birding experience, we will bring spotting scope, field guide book entitled, "Birds of New Guinea" written by Bruce Beehler and his friends.
We will also provide camping gear such as tents, cooking and eating utensils, and torch.
Please, book now
If you are interested in taking this rainforest tour in Tambrauw regency, please, contact me by e-mail: peace4wp@gmail.com or whatsapp: +6281332245180. I will compose an itinerary and calculate the cost of your tours that are suitable with your travel schedule.
Please, support our efforts in preserving the bio-diversity of tropical rainforest in Papua
Friday, August 14, 2015
Rainforest Camping Tour in Tambrauw Mountains
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Blyth's hornbill (Rhyticeros plicatus). This vector artwork was created by Charles Roring |
Duration: 5 days/ 4 nights
Availability: All year round
Cost: Please, send e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com for prices and customized itineraries
I have just returned from a camping tour in the lowland rainforest of Tambrauw mountains. I guided a tourist from Luxemburg who wanted to stay in the jungle for several nights. We built three tents at the bank of Syuan river and did some walks in the forest to see birds, butterfly and various vegetation of the tropical jungle. At night, the sounds of insects, and other nocturnal animals became our natural music that we enjoyed, together with the flow of the water in Suan river.
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Our Tents at the bank of Cuan River in Tambrauw Mountains of West Papua |
The rainforest on both sides of Syuan river was the natural habitat of such tropical birds as Blyth's hornbill, sulphur crested cockatoo, egrets, Goliath cockatoo, black capped lory and paradise birds. Near our second camp was a deeper water. We liked to spend time there to swim and enjoyed the surrounding view of the forest. In the afternoon when all birds began to return to their nests, we saw two sulphur crested cockatoo at the tree close to our "swimming pool." They were so beautiful. Birding in Syuan river was very easy. We just need to walk along the sides of the river and observe the sky and the trees. To take picture, we used bridge camera with super telephoto lens such as Sony Cybershot H400 and Fujifilm Finepix H50EXR.
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Sulphur Crested Cockatoo in the tree near Cuan river of Tambrauw regency |
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White terrestrial orchid flowers that were very fragrant |
There are a lot of things which tourists can see or experience while exploring the rich bio-diversity of rainforest. The trip to this region is suitable for nature lovers.
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Eupholus schoenherri beetle in the forest of Tambrauw regency |
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
Wildlife Tour in Ases of Tambrauw Mountains
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Road in Tambrauw Mountains of West Papua |
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ASES is the most recommended destination for visitors who want to take a wildlife tour in the rainforest of Tambrauw mountains. |
Day 1 Arrive in Sorong, Buying food and other logistical needs
Day 2 Transfer from Sorong to Fef by chartered 4WD car
Day 3 Trekking, Camping and Wildlife watching
Day 4 Trekking, Camping and Wildlife watching
Day 5 Trekking, and Wildlife watching, walking back to Fef
Day 6 Transfer from Fef to Sorong by chartered 4WD car
Day 7 Transfer to Airport
Cost: Please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com for further information about Wildlife Tour in Ases of Tambrauw regency and other areas in West Papua.
Saturday, July 25, 2015
Birdwatching in Tambrauw regency
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Watching birds along the banks of a river is highly recommended |
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Sulphur Crested Cockatoo in the jungle of Tambrauw Mountains |
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Blyth's hornbill can easily be recognized by its fluttering sound when flying |
Look at the following Map. Tambrauw can easily be reached by 4WD car from Sorong city. For land tour, it is important to go by 4WD car because the terrains to Fef are very steep. The roads are unpaved. For those who are interested in snorkeling and other marine tourism activities, they can go by passenger boats from Sorong city to Sausapor. KM. Sunlia and KM. Ave Maria go back and forth to Sausapor three times a week with ticket price is between 100,000 and 150,000 rupiahs for economy class per passenger.
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Traditional village of Abun tribe in Tambrauw mountains |
Most of the mountains in Tambrauw are still covered with tropical rainforest. As of today the main challenge to reach the mountains is the cost of transportation which is very expensive.
Friday, July 10, 2015
Rainforest Tour in Tambrauw Mountains of West Papua
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Coral reef in the waters of Sausapor town |
Coral Reef
There were several coral reef areas in Tambrauw regency that were potential to be developed as tourist destinations. In this post, I presented the underwater picture of coral reef environment which was taken a few days ago near Sausapor town. For more articles related to coral reef, and marine tourism, please, visit my personal blog: charlesroring.blogspot.com.
Watching Leatherback Turtle
In the afternoon, we continued our trip to Batu Rumah where we did a short rainforest tour and a long overnight turtle watching trip at Jen Womom beach. Leatherback was the largest turtle in the world and its population was shrinking. Many of them die after eating transparent plastic shopping bags that are drifting in the ocean. They considered them as their food, i.e. jellyfish.
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Sujak River in Tambrauw Mountains of West Papua |
The last segment of the trip was done in the forest areas near Fef in the highland of Tambrauw mountains. Fef was located in a valley in the south of Tambrauw mountains. It is the capital of Tambrauw regency. Visitors who want to reach it had to go by 4WD car. The slopes were very steep and could not be climbed by ordinary city cars. The scenery of Tambrauw mountains was really magnificent.
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A traditional village in Tambrauw mountains |
Most of the areas of the mountains are covered by pristine rainforest. There are a lot of things that visitors can enjoy including sightseeing, trekking, camping, birding, swimming, and wildlife watching.
In addition to birds of paradise, visitors may see deers, wild pigs, cuscus possum, snake, soa-soa lizard, colorful butterflies, unique beetles, and exotic wild orchids.
Tambrauw is a place that I highly recommend to all tourists who are interested in exploring the rainforest ecosystem particularly its wildlife. All participants of the tour were impressed with the courtship dance of Lesser Birds of Paradise in the last morning of their rainforest tour in Tambrauw mountains.
Tour Package for June, July, August, and September 2016
Rainforest Tour Itinerary
Day 1. Arrive in Sorong city
Day 2. Transfer to Fef, overnight stay in the town
Day 3. Trekking to Ases valley
Day 4. Trekking, camping, birding and wildlife tour in Ases
Day 5. Trekking, camping, birding and wildlife tour in Ases
Day 6. Walking back to Fef, overnight stay in the town
Day 7. Return to Sorong city
Please, contact Charles Roring for the price by sending email to: peace4wp@gmail.com

Although the capital was Fef. But the town is being constructed. So, it is still not ready to function as the administrative center of the local government. Today, Sausapor is the temporary capital of Tambrauw regency.
If you are interested in traveling to Tambrauw mountains and need me to be your guide, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Night Hiking in the Jungle of Arfak mountains
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Cuscus possum in the jungle of Arfak mountains of Manokwari |
Yunus still made another call but no cuscus came. We finally arrived in our base camp. We boiled water and had some hot chocolate drinks. We went to bed at 02.20. All of us were happy with the night hiking trip that we had just done. written by Charles Roring
If you are interested in visiting Arfak mountains to see butterflies, cuscus and the forest environment and need me as your guide, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com.
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Hiking and Camping in Arfak mountains
As a tourist guide I have guided a lot of single traveler girl or lady on various hiking, camping, birdwatching, swimming, snorkeling, and motorcycle tours around Manokwari.
Here is the scenery of the place that I and Rachel visited a few days ago.
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Coastal area of Arfak mountains |
Swimming
Eating Fresh Fried Fish
Magdalena, one of the villagers, went fishing before we came back to the house. She caught a snapper and proudly showed it to us that afternoon. Yunus cleaned and washed the fish and cut them in smaller pieces so that I could fry them. I also made stir fried kangkung vegetables and fried tempe. Rachel, the American girl from Connecticut who came alone all the way to West Papua, liked the simple meal that we had that day.
Camping
The unfinished wooden house where we stayed had been installed with corrugated metal roof. Its floor was made of iron wood planks. Only the walls that had not been constructed. For bathroom and toilet, we used the river. The guesthouse was far from the village. So, we had a private beach, private forest, and a simple but good accommodation. I brought a dome tent and a mattress. I set the tent up and put the mattress inside ready for Reachel to sleep in it. I also brought an army standard sleeping bag for her. At night she could sleep well without having to fear the swarming mosquitoes. The sea breeze keep the mosquitoes and sandflies away from the guesthouse. The sound of insects became our natural music during our time in the coastal and mountainous region of Arfak. We had a night walk in the jungle to find cuscus but could only see a bandicoot.
Hiking in the jungle of Arfak mountains
The next morning, we continued our trip into the forest. We had to carefully walk up the steep slope of Arfak mountains. Yunus (a local villager that we hired built a shelter for tourist near a small creek in the jungle. We arrived at the shelter on the afternoon. I quickly set the dome tent again before dark came.
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Cruiser butterfly (Vindula arsinoe)
Butterflies
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Our dinner that night was rice, spinach vegetables, fried tempe and scrambled eggs prepared by Magdalena. After dinner, we still had a short night walk in the jungle to find cuscus. Unfortunately, we were not so successful.
Feeling exhausted, we walked back to our camp and sleep earlier than the previous night. Again the sounds of insects and water flowing in the river became the natural music that surrounds us during our sleeping time.
Watching Lesser Birds of Paradise
I checked the clock on my cell phone. It was 05.00 a.m. Time to get ready. I woke Rachel up. Yunus had already boiled some water for us. We had some biscuits and coffee before leaving for the birding ground approximately 45 minutes walk from our campsite. It was still dark when we walked again. I turned on my head flash light. The male birds of paradise were calling their female birds when we arrived. It was difficult to see them because they were perching on the twigs in the canopy of the trees. Rachel could only see a male paradise bird with his beautiful yellow plumes in a few seconds. But she said it was ok, she really enjoyed the singing of the birds while sitting on the ground under the tree. It's a relaxing experience.
We still enjoyed some swimming at the beach near Warmarway village before going back to Manokwari city again.
If you are interested in exploring the natural beauty of the coastal and mountainous areas of West Papua and want to hire me as your guide, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or send text message to my cell phone: 006281332245180.
I can prepare a customized itinerary and cost that is suitable for you.
Thursday, May 21, 2015
Turtle Calling Ritual in Tambrauw Regency
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Leatherback turtle landed at Jen Womom beach of Tambrauw regency in West Papua to lay eggs |
To raise awareness about the importance of protecting turtles, local community leaders with the support of volunteers from WWF, Dept. of Maritime and Fishery Affairs and local government authorities of Tambrauw regency will conduct The Traditional Ritual for the Calling of Leatherback Turtles on 25 June 2015. The traditional ritual is open to everybody who is interested in watching the turtles at Jen Womom beach lay their eggs.
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Batu Kapal beach near Sausapor town of Tambrauw regency |
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Sausapor town is the capital of Tambrauw regency and Jen Womom beach is the site where leatherback turtles land to lay their eggs. |
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Location of Sausapor townrelative to the map of Indonesia |
- First fly from your country to Jakarta city.
- After getting Visa On Arrival, continue your trip to Sorong city by flying with Garuda, or Sriwijaya Air, or Express Air
- When you have arrived in Sorong city, continue your trip to Sausapor town by passenger boats KM. Sunlia and KM. Ave Maria (ticket price is 100,000 to 150,000 rupiahs for economy class rupiahs or approximately 8 to 12 US dollars per person). The boat leaves Sorong city (from Pelabuhan Rakyat) for Sausapor town on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Sausapor town is located in the northern coast of the bird's head region of West Papua.
- Make sure that you arrive in Sausapor town before 25 June 2015 so that you will get free transport to Jen Womom beach during the festival.
- Accommodation is free (just go to the office of WWF in Sausapor town and meet Ronny Tethool or Anis Sundoi and say that you get the info from Charles Roring's blog on the internet).
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Batu Kapal beach near Sausapor town during sunset time |
Tropical Rainforest Ecosystem
Birdwatching in Viem
Viem is a local term for a site located deep in the jungle of Tambrauw mountains where warm salty water comes out of the ground. Every morning and before sunset, various species of birds land on the ground to drink until they get drunk. Birds are not the only animals that can be seen in the Viem. When I visited several Viems in Aiwatar hill of District Senopi, I saw a lot of deers, kangaroo and wild cows in the vicinity. I highly recommend the site for all avid birdwatchers who want to see the wealth of New Guinea's avifauna
FYI: During World War II, US forces landed on Sansapor and its nearby coastal area and islands as part of their campaign in fighting the Japanese forces in the Pacific. Today, the town's spelling has experienced slight change from Sansapor to Sausapor.
Saturday, April 18, 2015
Recommended Trekking and Birding Sites in Arfak Mountains
I often receive emails from tourists and researchers who want to go to Arfak mountains of Manokwari. They ask for a good trekking and birding site. From my personal experience, I highly recommend such villages as Mupi Gunung, Warmarway, and Kwau. These villages have got large rainforest areas that are suitable for anybody who is interested in exploring the biodiversity of Arfak range.
Birds of Paradise
There are tens of species of birds of paradise that visitors can see in the jungle. Some of them are western parotia, lesser birds of paradise, black sickle bill, king birds of paradise, and the magnificent birds of paradise.
Tropical birds
In addition to paradise birds, other species that can be watched include sulphur crested cockatoo, pasquet parrots, pinon imperial pigeon, blyth's hornbill, pygmy parrots, vogelkop bowerbirds and flame bowerbirds.
Marsupial Animals
West Papua and Australia are the natural habitat of various species of marsupial animals. Some that visitors can see in Arfak mountains are tree kangaroo, cuscus, and bandicoot.
Recommended Trekking Site in Bird's head region
There are several locations of trekking sites in Vogelkop or bird's head region. Some of them are as follows:
- Aiwatar hill of District Senopi in Tambrauw mountains (whic is also the best birdwatching site I have ever seen in my life);
- Rainforest of Warmarway village in the eastern region of Arfak mountains,
- Klasow valley in Sorong regency (where you can see wallaby, cuscus, birds of paradise)
- Mupi Gunung hamlet whose trails are very steep and are only suitable for visitors who are physically fit.
Preparations
Visitors need to make certain preparations prior to their trip to Arfak range. Here are some of them:
- Bring only clothes you really need. These include some T-shirts, long trousers, underwear, running shoes or trekking boots.
- Bring mosquito net, and some insect repellent lotion.
- Extra batteries, telephoto lens for your photographic activities.
- Buy food in Manokwari city.
If you want to visit it and need my guiding service, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Visiting Koroway Tribe
Early this month, I made an exploratory trip to the land of Koroway tribe in South Papua. I went there because I heard that this tribe built houses high above the ground. I took nearly two weeks to do the trip. I was really happy to see the river scenery where the indigenous Papuan people rowing their boats while standing. The southern region of Papua was flat land. Most of the land consisted of swamps, rivers and dense tropical rainforest.
I had the chance to visit several hamlets of Koroway tribe and met the indigenous people who lived in their traditional wooden houses deep in the jungle.
In order to survive, they built their houses on high poles so that enemies, snakes, mosquitoes would not easily reach them. They hunt wild pigs, caught fish in the river, and extracted flour from sago trees. They also worked in their garden. They grew taro, banana and vegetable plants. They were very simple people but I saw that they were happy with their modest lifestyle. They wore traditional clothing that was very minimum or almost naked. Forest was their home, their playground and their fortress. They knew their forest very well and could tell when the right time to hunt for pigs or cut sago trees.
I stayed in their traditional houses for several nights and had the chance to eat grilled pork, and sago worm. The taste of sago worm was delicious. Everybody who plans to go to West Papua should consider visiting the Koroway tribe.