Friday, April 15, 2022

Wildlife Watching Tour to West Papua

West Papua province of Indonesia is a beautiful destination for visitors who are interested in seeing the ecosystem of coral reef and rainforest. There is a beach in this region where visitors can enjoy swimming, snorkeling as well as wildlife watching. Its name is Weyos beach. A lot of animals and plants can be seen here. 

wildlife watching tour in Tambrauw
Wildlife Watching Tour in West Papua

Between April and September, visitors can walk a long the beach to find turtles that land on it to lay eggs. Leatherback, Hawksbill, Olive Ridley and Green turtles usually lay their eggs at this beach. They are protected by government. Visitors who stay at this beach can watch birds, reptiles and mammals in this coastal forest. Lesser Birds of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise and Magnificent Riflebird, Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Wompoo Fruit Dove, Yellow-faced Myna, Eclectus Parrot, Palm Cockatoo, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Black-capped Lory, as well as Brahminy Kite, Western-crowned Pigeon could be watched in this area.

birds in the forest of Tambrauw mountains
Tropical birds in the forest of Tambrauw
The exploration of the forest of Weyos beach can also be carried out at night to see deer, monitor lizard, snake, and cuscus possum and wallaby. 

To do the wildlife watching, visitors need binoculars, camera and head torch or flash light. Because this forest is located far from cities, logistical preparation will be needed before carrying out this trip. This includes preparation of boat, tents, sleeping bag, and purchase of food in the city.

Visitor who want to enjoy swimming and snorkeling at Weyos beach can bring snorkeling device (mask, snorkel, and swim fins) and a good underwater camera like Nikon W-300, or Olympus TG-6.

tropical fish in Tambrauw beach
Marine Life in the North Coast of West Papua

Flight Route

To visit Weyos beach, international visitors need to fly from their country to Jakarta or Denpasar or Surabaya or Manado. These are cities in Indonesia. 

After that the flight can be continued to Sorong city by domestic airlines such as Garuda, Batik Air, Sriwijaya Air or Lion Air. 

flight route to Sorong city
Flight route to Sorong city

From Sorong city, the trip to Weyos beach and be continued by 4wd car and then by boat. If the trip from Sorong city is conducted early in the morning, visitors will arrive at Weyos beach in late afternoon. 

I suggest that visitors traveling in a group of at least three to four peoplenor even six to share the cost. However, a solo traveler is welcomed if he or she can cover the cost of the trip to this secluded beach.

secluded beach in West Papua
Weyos - a secluded Beach in West Papua

If you are interested in taking a tour to this beach, and want me to be your guide, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com

Tuesday, April 12, 2022

Birding in Klasow valley's Forest of Sorong Regency

Sorong city is the main gate for visitors who are traveling to Raja Ampat islands. Most airlines in Indonesia have got scheduled flights to this city. They will land at Domine Eduard Osok airport and then continue their trip to Waisai by ferry boat. In Raja Ampat, they will enjoy various kinds of activities related to marine tourism. 

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita)
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

For visitors who are interested in wildlife, Klasow valley will be an interesting destination. There is a village in the valley that has become a good base for visitors who like to watch tropical birds. Its name is Klatomok village

Birding site in West Papua province of Indonesia
Klatomok Village

birdwatcher in Klasow valley
A visitor in Klatomok village of Klasow valley

Western-crowned Pigeon (Goura cristata)
Western-crowned Pigeon

It is a village that is located on the side of a road that runs through the valley. This small village is surrounded by tropical forest that is the natural habitat of a lot of species of birds including Western-crowned Pigeon, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Orange-bellied Fruit Dove, Great Cuckoo Dove, Slender-billed Cuckoo Dove, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Sacred Kingfisher, Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Hooded Butcherbird, Black Butcherbird, Northern Cassowary, Forest Bittern, King Bird of Paradise, Magnificent Riflebird, Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise, and etc. 

Magnificent Riflebird (Ptiloris magnificus)
Magnificent Riflebird

The wildlifewatching activity can be carried out not only during the day time but also at night time. The night walk in the jungle is usually conducted after dinner. Animals that visitors may find include wallaby, possum, birds that sleep on the lower branches of trees, bandicoot, snake, Papua forest dragon, deer, and etc. Visitors will need to bring torch or flash light for this night time activity.

King Bird of Paradise (Cicinnurus regius)
King Bird of Paradise

Accommodation and Food

Visitors who go to Klatomok village in Klasow valley to enjoy birdwatching and wildlife watching can stay in the houses of the villagers whose picture is shown above. It is a basic accommodation with room and toilet. 

Before traveling to this village, food and drink materials such as bread, eggs, coffee, milk, cheese, tea, sugar can be bought from supermarket in Sorong city. 

The usual duratin of the birding tour is 3 to 4 days, it can be continued to Tambrauw mountains, Arfak mountains, Wondama Bay or even to Raja Ampat islands. 

Contact

If you are interested in taking a wildlife watching/ birdwatching trip in West Papua (particularly Sorong regency, Tambrauw regency, Manokwari - Arfak mountains, Wondama bay) and want a guide to organize your trip and accompany you during the tour, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by whatsapp to: +6281332245180. 

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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