Sunday, August 14, 2022

Birdwatching and Wildlife Watching in Susnguakti Forest of Manokwari

Susnguakti is the name of a forest in lower montane region of Arfak mountains. It is a great site for nature lovers to go hiking and watching birds of paradise and wild animals. It can be reached from Manokwari city by car. 

Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor)
A couple of Lesser Birds of Paradise in Susnguakto forest of Arfak mountains
Manokwari regency - West Papua province - Indonesia

Birds that can be watched in this forest include Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor), King Bird of Paradise (Cicinnurus regius) and Magnificent Riflebird (Ptiloris magnificus), Red-bellied Pitta, Hooded Pitta, Black-billed Cuckoo Dove, Brown Cuckoo Dove, Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Western Ornate Fruit Dove, Hooded Butcherbird, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Rufous-bellied Kookburra, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Frilled Monarch, Golden Cuckooshrike, Papuan Spangled Drongo, Fairy Lorikeet, Coconut Lorikeet, Black-capped Lory, Papuan Frogmouth, Blyth's Hornbill, and etc. 

Typical Itinerary

Day 1 

  • Meeting with tour participants in Manokwari city
  • Transfer to Susnguakti by car (1 hour)
  • Hiking to basecamp (1 hour)
  • Watching Lesser Birds of Paradise (first attempt)
  • Night walk


Day 2 

  • Wake up at 05:00, make preparation, have tea or coffee, walk to birding site of Lesser Birds of Paradise.
  • Continue to the site of King Bird of Paradise
  • Explore the forest to see various kinds of birds, insects (beetles, butterflies), reptiles as well as unique tropical plants.
  • Night walk to fins possum and nocturnal animals.

Day 3

  • Wake up early in the morning to watch Magnificent Riflebird which is another species of birds of paradise. 
  • Explore forest to see more plants and animals
  • After lunch, we will pack our things and walk down the mountains.  We will return to Manokwari city.
The walking tour in this forest of Arfak mountains can be extended for several more days to include tour to higher elevation forest to watch more birds of paradise and other animals of West Papua.

natural attractions in Susnguakti forest of Arfak mountains
Natural Attractions of Susnguakti Forest

In addition to birds the forest of Susnguakti is the habitat of snakes, butterflies and beetles. 

Activities

Visitors can follow trails during the days and nights to see plants and animals of the forest. During night walks, local villagers can immitate the calls of a female cuscus possum to attract the male ones. When a male possum comes down from a tree, visitors can take pictures. During the day, visitors can go to the nearby stream to enjoy the cool water that comes out of the stones of the forest. 

cuscus possum is a nocturnal animal.
Cuscus Possum is a nocturnal animal in the rainforest of West Papua

Insect Watching

There are butterflies, beetles, grasshopper, cicada, fireflies, and other unique insects in the forest. Visitors can see them when staying for a few days in the jungle camp of Susnguakti forest. Colourful butterflies of Arfak mountains can be seen in this forest. 

insect watching tour in Indonesia
Butterflies can be watched and photographed in Susnguakti forest

Accommodation

As of today, most of the visitors who go to Susnguakti forest will stay in a basecamp as described in the following pictures.

rainforest tour in Arfak mountains of Manokwari
A simple basecamp in the forest of Susnguakti for visitors to stay for a few days to watch birds of paradise and other wildlife.

Dome tents in Susnguakti forest of Manokwari regency
Dome tents for tourists in Susnguakti forest

How to get to Manokwari city

International visitors need to fly to one of the major cities in Indonesia such as Jakarta, Denpasar, Surabaya, Makassar, or Manado. After that they can continue their trip to Manokwari city. I can meet you at the airport or at the hotel where you stay and organize your trip to Susnguakti forest.

flight route to Manokwari city
Flight Routes from major cities in Indonesia to Manokwari city

To book your trip to Susnguakti forest, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.

I could also organize a trip for you to Sorong, Tambrauw, Raja Ampat, Kaimana or even to Java and Bali, Sulawesi and Halmahera of Indonesia.

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