Monday, October 29, 2018

Hiking and Wildlife Watching in Susnguakti Forest

Cuscus Possum
Arfak mountains have been a very popular destination among visitors who want to watch wild animals. One of the places in the range is Susnguakti forest. It is a nice place for those who like to spend a few nights exploring the plants and animals of tropical rainforest.
Usually, visitors spend between 3 to 4 days in the forest to watch Lesser Birds of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, Common Paradise Kingfisher, and Magnificent Riflebird. These birds of paradise can be watched in the mornings and in the afternoons. For that purpose, a pair of binoculars and spotting scope will significantly enhance the birdwatching experience of every visitor.
Paradise Birds
In addition to birdwatching, at nights, visitors can enjoy night walks to find cuscus possum. After dinner, I and local villager usually organize a night walk for visitors in the forest. Stopping at certain spots where there are hanging vines, local villagers will immitate the sound of female cuscus to attract male cuscus possum. If there are cuscus possum in the vicinity, they will come closer.
The tropical rainforest of Susnguakti is the natural habitat of a lot of species of butterflies, and other insects too.

Very Basic Accommodation
There is no guesthouse or hotel in Susnguakti forest. I and local villagers built basecamps for tourists. There is no toilet either. Visitors can use a small river to wash. Our basecamp is located deep in the forest. There are three huts, eating and cooking utensils as well as mattrasses and pillows. Visitors have to walk up steep slopes to reach the basecamp. So, they need to be physically fit to do this trip.
Simple Base Camp in Susnguakti Forest for Tourists
How to get to Susnguakti forest
  • Fly from your country to Jakarta - the capital of West Papua province
  • After that, please, take a domestic flight to Manokwari city. Airlines such as Garuda, Sriwijaya, Lion Air-Wings Air, Batik Air provide regular flight services to this city.
  • I could meet you at the airport or at the hotel where you stay and then organize your trip to Susnguakti forest of Arfak mountains.
Please, book your hiking, camping, and wildlife watching tour in Susnguakti forest by contacting me (Charles Roring) through this email: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp: +6281332245180.

Merchandise

Please, support this blog by buying art drawings and illustrations of wild animals and plants in the form of prints on various products as follows:

Watercolour Sketch of Bird

Watercolour Sketch of Bird
Fruit Dove from Tropical Rainforest

Vector Art Drawing in Inkscape

Vector Art Drawing in Inkscape
Swimming with Whaleshark

Vector art illustration in Inkscape

Vector art illustration in Inkscape
Baby leatherback turtle was reaching for the sea

Drawing of Paradise Bird

Drawing of Paradise Bird
Lesser Birds of Paradise art print on classic T-shirt

Digital Drawing in Autodesk Sketchbook

Digital Drawing in Autodesk Sketchbook
A Couple of Red Bird of Paradise