Rainforest Tour in Manokwari Lowland

Rainforest Birding Tour

Mesirrokow forest - Manokwari Lowland Area

We are now entering dry season in Manokwari. It is a good time for visitors who are interested in taking rainforest tour in lowland area. There is a good forest in lowland area of Manokwari. Its name is Mesirrokow. A lot of species of birds, butterflies, marsupials and mammals live in this forest. Birds such as Blyth's Hornbill, Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Yellow-faced Myna, Eclectus Parrot, and Little Egret can be seen when we walk along the banks of a river that flows through Mesirrokow forest.

Sulphur Crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita)

At night we could explore the tall grass that grow along the riverside to find Papuan Frogmouth, Large-tailed Nightjar. If breadfruit trees have got a lot of fruits, we could find cuscus possum and fruit bats. Mesirrokow forest is a nice place for nature lovers who want to enjoy the beauty of tropical rainforest. They can enjoy swimming, hiking, camping, birding and wildlife watching for a few days there.
I have organized numerous rainforest hiking and camping tours for tourists who want to spend several days of their vacation period in the jungle of Manokwari to watch Brahminy Kite, Willie Wagtail, Little-ringed Plover, Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot, Variable Goshawk, Magnificent Riflebird, Western-crowned Pigeon.
Bringing a good pair of binoculars and spotting scope is important for watching birds and wild animals that sit on the branches of distant trees on both sides of the river. This is an easy birding trip and rainforest tour which is suitable for everybody who does not want to go trekking up very steep slopes of mountains in Manokwari.
Wild Flowers

Monochoria vaginalis flower

There are a lot of flowers that I see in the lowland forest of Manokwari from Glory Vine (Faradaya splendida) that grows near the river to Terrestrial Orchids (Spathoglottis plicata) and New Guinea Tulip (Spathodea campanulata). My favorite flower is the Blue-Purple Pondweed (Monochoria vaginalis). It looks beautiful but it is considered as invasive noxious weed in certain countries. In Mesirrokow forest, this aquatic flower plant is not a threat to the surrounding environment. Its population is very small. Compared to Common Water Hycinth (Eichhornia crascippes), the flower of Monochoria vaginalis is smaller.
From my personal observations, the Glory Vine flower emits very fragrant scent. It is very potential to be cultivated for essential oil production.
Camping

Camping in Lowland Forest of Manokwari

As a tour guide, we have prepared some places as campsites. As a tourist guide, I provide camping tents, cooking and eating utensils for visitors who want to stay in the forest for 3 to 5 days. So, visitors do not need to bring those heavy things in their luggage when flying to Manokwari.

Things to bring
A good pair of binoculars, camera and spotting scope
Flashlight/ torch
Insect repellent/ sunblock lotion
Ziploc bags for cell phone, and passports and other electronic goods

Cost of the tour: This depends on the number of participants and how long they want to stay in the rainforest.

How to get there: 

• Fly from your country to Denpasar Bali or Jakarta city of Indonesia
• Fly from Denpasar city or Jakarta city to Manokwari
• I will meet you at the airport and organize your tour to lowland forest of Manokwari

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

Rainforest Birding Tour in Arfak Mountains and Lowland of Manokwari

Riverwalk in Mesirrokow forest

Manokwari has been an important birdwatching destination for domestic and international visitors. They come to watch birds that live in the jungle of Arfak mountains and lowland region such as Papuan hornbill, Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, Hooded Butcherbird, Yellow Faced Myna, Lesser Birds of Paradise, Common Paradise Kingfishers and a lot more.
There are two places in the forest that I offer as camping and birding grounds.

Beautiful Fruit Dove

Lowland Forest of Mesirrokow River
This is an ideal site for tourists or birdwatchers who cannot go hiking in steep slopes of Arfak mountains. Local people call the area the Mesirrokow river-forest. There are no guesthouses in the jungle. Tents, mattrasses, cooking and eating utensils will be provided by local guides for tourists who want to stay here for a few days for watching Eclectus Parrots (Eclectus roratus), Palm Cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus), Willie Wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys), Large-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus macrurus) and a lot of other birds. In addition to birding, visitors can enjoy swimming and fishing in the river too.
Colorful wild flowers that grow in both sides of the river attract butterflies, bees to collect their nectar. Tourists spend between 3 to 4 days camping and watching wild animals.

Camping at Mesirrokow river-forest

Susnguakti forest Forest of Arfak Mountains
This lower montane forest is located in the east area of Arfak mountains and has been a favorite site for watching cuscus possum, lesser birds of paradise and glowing mushrooms. There are no hotels or gueshouses in the middle of the jungle. Tourists will stay in tents are are built by local villagers.
The jungle of Susnguakti is the natural habitat of wild pigs, deer, dwarf cassowary, and a lot of species of birds. It is suitable for visitors who are really nature lovers.

Booking
Please, contact me by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com or send text/ whatsapp message to my number: +6281332245180 if you are interested in taking rainforest tour with me in Manokwari forest.

Birdwatching Hiking and Camping in Manokwari

Camping at the bank of Mesirrokow river

I have organized and run birding tours in Manokwari for years now. Early this year, I introduced a new birding area called Mesirrokow. It is a lowland forest area in north-west region of Manokwari regency. There are a lot of birds that can be seen in the forest of Mesirrokow river area such as Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, Palm Cockatoo, Large-tailed Nightjar, Black capped Lory, Papuan Blyth's hornbill, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Yellow-billed Kingfisher and a lot more.
In addition to watching birds, visitors who take the birding tour to the area can also see colorful butterflies, beetles, grasshoppers, and other insects. Wild boars, wallaby, deer, snakes, and soa-soa monitor make the forest of Mesirrokow river as their natural habitat.

Birdwatching Activity
Visitors can enjoy birding along the sides of the river by using binoculars and spotting scopes. In the mornings, Yellow-faced Myna, Eclectus Parrot, Willie Wagtail, and Hooded Butcherbird like to sit on the branches of trees.
Walking deeper into the jungle, visitors can watch more birds including Lowland Peltop, Dollarbird, Brahminy Kite, and Little-ringed Plover.

Birding Gear
Birdwatchers usually bring a good pair of 10x42 roof prism binoculars, a spotting scope with tripod or a D-SLR camera with telephoto lens. I have got binoculars which visitors could use to enhnace their birding experience in Manokwari

Camping and Hiking
There are no guesthouses in Mesirrokow forest. As a tourist guide, I provide tents, sleeping bags, cooking equipment and eating utensils for tourists who want to spend several days birding and camping in the forest.
As we walk further into the river-forest area, we will dismantle our tents and rebuild them in our new birding site. Visitors could also enjoy swimming, and fishing along the river.

Large-tailed Nightjar

Duration of the Birding and Camping Tour
On the average, visitors spend between 3 days/ 2 nights and 5 days/ 4 nights camping in the area. After the tour, visitors could extend their trip in Manokwari to a few more days by birding in Arfak mountains or snorkeling in some islands in Dorey bay.

Booking
If you are interested in hiking, camping and birding in Mesirrokow forest or other places in Manokwari, please, contact me by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com or send text/ whatsapp message to: peace4wp@gmail.com

Riverwalk and Camping Tour in Manokwari Forest

I have organized numerous riverwalk and camping tours in the forest of Manokwari for several years now. During the tours, visitors will be able to see the beautiful scenery of tropical rainforest, watch lowland tropical birds such as Papuan hornbills, Sulphur Crested Cockatoos, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Yellow-faced Myna, Palm Cockatoo, Nightjar, Papuan Flowerpecker and a lot more.
In addition to birdwatching, while walking along the banks of the river or swimming in the fresh water river, visitors will be able to see colorful butterflies such as New Guinea Clipper, Cruiser butterfly, Blue Mountain Swallowtail and Birdwing Butterfly from the genus of Ornithoptera.
In addition to freshwater fish, birds, butterflies and large green trees, visitors can also see tropical flowers such as Eichornia, Small Passion Flowers and New Guinea Tulip (Spathodea campanulata) and terrestrial orchids.
As a tour guide, I provide tents, cooking and eating gear, lighting equipment, binoculars and spotting scope that are needed during the tour.
Visitors are suggested to wear water shoes and apply anti insect lotion if they want to participate in the tour.

Destination Manokwari
If you want to visit this forest, you need to fly to Manokwari city.

• First, you need to fly from your country to Jakarta, Bali or Manado.
• After that you can take domestic flight to Manokwari city. There are regular daily flight services provided by such airlines as Garuda, Sriwijaya, and Xpress Air.

Manokwari is a historical town. It was the first site in the whole New Guinea where Christianity for the first time was introduced by European missionaries to the indigenous Papuan people in the nearby Mansinam island on 5 February 1855. It was also an important destination for British scientist Alfred Russel Wallace in 1858 when he conducted research on natural history.
Manokwari was the headquarters for Imperial Japanese Army in late 1943 and 1944 when they were fighting against US allied forces during Pacific War. The Japanese deployed approximately 50,000 troops led by Lieutenant Fusataro Teshima from 2nd Army. They are deployed along the coast and islands in this region. We could still see old World War II bomb shelters in some parts of the city.

Booking
If you are interested in taking this riverwalk and camping tour in Manokwari, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or whatsapp: +6281332245180 for customized itinerary and cost.

Watching Cockatoo in Lowland Forest of Manokwari

There is a forest area in Manokwari that is the natural habitat of several species of cockatoos. Its name is Mesirrokow located in the west of the city. It is a nice place for nature lovers who want to spend several days hiking, camping and wildlife watching in the river-forest area. From my previous riverwalk and camping tour in the region, I saw Sulphur Crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita). The whole body of this bird was white with yellow crest on top of its head. In the mornings and in the afternoon, cockatoos gathered in small groups and sat on the branches of tall trees near our tents. They made loud screeching sounds that filled the atmosphere of the surrounding forest while they were sitting or flying among the green trees.

In addition to those white cockatoos, I also saw Eclectus Parrots (Eclectus rotatus), Palm Cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus), Western Black-capped Lory and Rainbow Lorikeet.

Large Papuan hornbill can be seen flying in the sky both in the mornings and in the afternoon.
Cockatoos are not the only birds that live in the forest of Mesirrokow. There are other birds too such as nightjar, pigeons, flowerpecker, butcherbird, and hawk. 

Visitors who want to watch birds in Mesirrokow river-forest need to bring a good pair of binoculars, and/ or spotting scope. They are very important for watching birds or other wild animals without having too close to them. 

Sulphur Crested Cockatoo eats fruits such as papaya, and bananas. In certain areas, abundant population of cockatoos may create problems among farmers. These beautiful birds may be considered as pest because they often attack fruit crops that are planted by local farmers.
As a tour guide, I offer rainforest hiking and camping tour to this jungle. Participants of the tour do not need to bring tents, and sleeping bags or cooking and eating equipment. I can provide them all including two binoculars and 1 spotting scope for watching birds and other wild animals.
Participants of the tour are advised to wear water shoes, and apply anti-insect lotion on their exposed skin.
If you are interested in watching cockatoos and other lowland birds in Manokwari, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to +6281332245180.

Hiking and Birdwatching in Mesirrokow river-forest of Manokwari

New Hiking and Birding Destination in Manokwari - Mesirrokow River

I have been promoting a new tourist destination in Manokwari for 2 weeks now. Its name is Mesirrokow river-forest located in the northwest region of the city, approximately 1 hour drive.
Mesirrokow river is a great place for hiking, sightseeing, birdwatching, swimming and camping. In other words it is a paradise for nature lovers. There is a huge forest area that has not been explored by foreign visitors.
Watching Birds
When I guided two Swiss visitors, I saw a lot of Sulphur Crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita), Papuan Blyth's Hornbill (Rhyticeros plicatus) flying in the sky or perching on the branches of green trees. A good pair of binoculars or a spotting scope will be useful when visiting the river-forest of Mesirrokow.

Sulphur Crested Cockatoo in Mesirrokow river of Manokwari

Camping
I spent 3 days/ 2 nights exploring the river. I used 3 dome tents and a large plastic tarpauline sheet to cover us from heavy rain and strong wind.
Taking Pictures
To take pictures of birds, the scenery of the river and wild flowers, I used my old Fujifilm HS50EXR. The followings are some of the pictures that I made during the trip.

Camping at the bank of Mesirrokow river

Yellow Love Petal Flower in Mesirrokow river of Manokwari

Book your river tour in Manokwari
I offer hiking, camping and birdwatching tour for nature lovers who want to enjoy adventure in Mesirrokow river. If you are interested, please, contact me by email: peace4wp@gmail.com

Bird Pictures from the Forest of Mesirrokow River

Sulphur Crested Cockatoo in Mesirrokow forest of Manokwari

Mesirrokow river located in the north-west area of Manokwari regency is a recommended site for watching lowland birds. I spent 3 days hiking and camping with 2 Swiss tourists several days ago. During the riverwalk, we saw a lot of birds including Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Western Black Capped Lory, Little Ringed Plover, Willie Wagtail, Nightjar, Eclectus Parrot, Palm Cockatoo, Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, and Papuan Hornbill.

Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus) in Manokwari forest

Photographing Birds
I used my old digital camera Fujifilm HS50EXR. The camera could take some nice pictures of birds that were perching on the branches of trees or flying in the sky. Today there are bridge cameras that have longer reach but most of them are not fast enough to focus on moving subjects. For this reason, I choose this Fujifilm HS50EXR.

Papuan Blyth's hornbill in Mesirrokow forest of Manokwari

The pictures that I created my not be the best pictures for publishing industry but it is good enough for anybody to identify the species of the animals. I mostly use the photographs in my blog and social media page as promotional posts for people who are interested in taking wildlife birding tools.
In addition to birds, I also saw butterflies, bettles, fireflies, flowers, fish, lizards, and wonderful scenery of Mesirrokow river.

Birding Device
I use two binoculars for birdwatching, one for me and another one for my guests. Most often, visitors bring their own binoculars.
If you plan to visit Mesirrokow river for birdwatching, I highly recommend that you also bring a spotting scope + tripod and adapter for smart-phone or camera. It will be a great device for watching birds and other animals.

How to visit Mesirrokow river

• Fly from your country to Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia.
• Fly to Manokwari city (there are daily flights provided by such airlines as Garuda, Xpress Air, Sriwijaya.
• I could meet you at the airport or hotel where you stay and organize your trip to the river.

Hiking Sightseeing and Birdwatching in Mesirrokow river of Manokwari

Booking a Birding Tour
Suppose that you plan to visit West Papua for birdwatching, don't forget to contact me by e-mail: peace4wp@gmail.com for booking a birding tour in Mesirrokow river of Manokwari regency.

After hiking, camping and birding in  Mesirrokow  river, you could continue your holiday by Taking a Snorkeling Holiday in Mansinam Island

Flowers in the River-Forest of Manokwari

Flowers in the Mesirrokow river-forest
While I was guiding two Swiss tourists along the banks of Mesirrokow river-forest, I saw some interesting flowers. Some of them were New Guinea tulip (also called spathodea), eichhornia and other species that I don't know their names. In my previous hiking trips in the same region, I saw Faradaya splendida glory vine flowers, Thunbergia grandiflora and Ipomoea morning glory. Flowers like to grow near the river because they need water to survive. Mesirrokow river is located in the northwest of Manokwari, approximately 50 kilometers from the city.

New Guinea Tulip (Spathodea campanulata) at the bank of Mesirrokow river

Glory Vine (Faradaya splendida)

Hiking and Birdwatching
In addition to flowers, the forest edges along the Mesirrokow river of Manokwari was an ideal site for hiking and birdwatching. With 2 good pairs of binoculars, we were able to see a lot of Papuan Blyth's hornbills, and Sulphur Crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita). Mesirrokow river was also a place where I was able to see and take picture of Large-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus mucrurus). I also took some good pictures of Willie Wagtail and Little Ringed Plover.

Large-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus macrurus) 

With my Fujifilm HS50EXR, I could shoot Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus) that was hovering in the sky above the trees in search of fish and other prey.

Willie Wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys) at the river forest of Mesirrokow of Manokwari

Camping
I spent 3 days/ 2 nights camping and hiking in the banks of Mesirrokow river to see its beautiful scenery and explore the wealth of its bio-diversity.

Booking a rainforest tour
If you want to take a hiking and camping tour in Mesirrokow river of Manokwari regency, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by e-mail: peace4wp@gmail.com or by text/ whatsapp message to: +6281332245180.

Hiking along the bank of Mesirrokow river of Manokwari

Hiking and Camping in Mesirrokow Forest of Manokwari

I have just returned from the jungle of Mesirrokow in the northwest of Manokwari. The lowland river forest in the area is an ideal place for hiking, camping and birdwatching. During the 3-day/ 2-night tour, I saw such birds as Sulphur Crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita), Brahmimy Kite (Haliastur indus), Large-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus mucrurus), Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius), Grey Crow (Corvus tristis), Willie Wagtail (Rhypidura leucophrys), Papuan hornbill (Rhyiceros plicatus).

Camping in the river-forest of Mesirrokow of Manokwari

I also saw soa-soa lizard that was running away from us when he heard our foot-steps. Perhaps, he was drinking water from the river. There were also footprints of deers and wild-pigs that we saw on the sand banks of the rivers.
Most of the area on both sides of the river was flat. It was an ideal place for nature lovers who want to explore the tropical rainforest of West Papua.
In addition to birds, and butterflies, the river environment in Mesirrokow forest has got some colorful aquatic flowers, perhaps from the genus of eichhornia and New Guinea passion flowers that look small but beautiful.

Riverwalk in Mesirrokow forest of Manokwari

Hiking, Camping, and Birdwatching Tour
As a tour guide, I could organize 3 to 5 days tour in the river-forest of Mesirrokow. Visitors will stay at the tents that will be built on the sand banks of the river. Riverwalk, birdwatching, swimming or fishing are some of the works which tourists can do in the river.
For birdwatching, Mesirrokow river is an ideal site for watching lowland birds. There are plenty of Papuan hornbill, and Sulphur Crested Cockatoo along the forest edges. A good pair of binoculars or spotting scope is needed to watch birds that perch on distant trees or fly in the sky.
Nature lovers can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the forest if they walk deeper into the jungle.

How to visit Mesirrokow River Forest?

• Just fly from your country to Jakarta (the capital of Indonesia)
• Continue your air trip to Manokwari. Flight services are provided by Garuda, Sriwijaya, Express Air to Manokwari.
• I could meet you at Manokwari airport or a hotel and organize tour to the jungle.

What you need to bring

• Water shoes and flip-flops
• Anti-insect lotion and sun block
• Flashlight/ torch
• Spotting scope/ binoculars
• Birds of New Guinea by Thane K Pratt and Bruce Beehler (as your birding reference)
• Ziploc bags for your passport and electronic devices (camera, cell phone, etc.)

Booking

Please, contact me (Charles Roring) by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com

Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius) at the bank of Mesirrokow river - Manokwari