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.
I have just completed a birding tour with an Australian photographer in Klabili village of Tambrauw regency and Waigeo island of Raja Ampat. We spent nearly a week to do the tour. Birds of paradise were our main target but we also saw a lot of species of birds including Hooded Pitta, Papuan Pitta, Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Blue Black Kingfisher, Beach Kingfisher, Sacred Kingfisher, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Moluccan King Parrot, Papuan Eclectus, Mimic Honeyeater, Raja Ampat Pitohui, Pale-billed Scrubwren, Spice Imperial Pigeon, Great Cuckoo-dove, Claret-breasted Fruit-dove, Black Butcherbird, and etc.
Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher
The tour participant also enjoyed snorkeling at the house reef of the beach resort where we stayed. In the resort area, we watched and photographed a lot of birds too. There were Palm Cockatoo, Coconut Lorikeet, Papuan Frogmouth, Glossy-mantled Manucode, Red Bird of Paradise, Brown Oriole, Helmeted Friarbird, Beach Kingfisher, Sacred Kingfisher, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Striated Heron, Willie Wagtail, White-breasted Woodswallow, Pacific Swallow, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Brahminy Kite, Osprey, and etc.
Raja Ampat in July, actually, is in wave season. However, I see that the wave is not so big. Tourists could still enjoy swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving. Perhaps, in August, the wind will be stronger. I hope that the weather in Waigeo will be just fine so that more visitors could still enjoy their holiday there.
I am now in a fast passenger ferry that is going to Waigeo island of Raja Ampat. We spent a few days in Sausapor, Klabili and Malagufuk to watch and photograph birds. We saw Lesser Birds of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, and Glossy-mantled Manucode. We also saw Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Superb Fruit Dove, Tawny-breasted Honeyeater, Rusty Mouse Warbler, Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot, Pacific Baza, Hooded Pitta, Papuan Pitta, and etc.
In Sausapor town, we stayed in Sansapore Pacific Park Beach Resort. It was a comfortable accommodation for visitors who love birdwatching, swimming, snorkeling and wave surfing.
Red Bird of Paradise
Our next targets will be Wilson's Bird of Paradise and Red Bird of Paradise as well as other birds such as Beach Kingfisher, Hooded Butcherbird, Brown Oriole, Helmetted Friarbird, Red-cheeked Parrot, Coconut Lorikeet, Eclectus Parrot, Great-billed Parrot, Spice Imperial Pigeon, and a lot more.
Wilson's Bird of Paradise
Birding in Minahasa Highland
Before birding in West Papua, we spent 3 days/ 2 nights in Minahasa highland where we watched Warbling White-eye, Black-crowned White-eye, Crimson Sunbird, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker, Yellow-billed Malkoha, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Sulawesi-crested Myna, White-rumped Triller, Green Imperial Pigeon and Sulawesi Scops Owl.
Pale Blue Monarch
Black-naped Oriole
Gray-sided Flowerpecker
We also visited rice field areas of Sonder where we watched Javan Pond Heron, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, White-browed Crake, Zebra Dove, Collared Kingfisher, Chestnut Munia, and Scaly-breasted Munia. We tried to watch Isabelline Bush-hen by playing his sounds, unfortunately, she was not interested to come out of her hiding place in the bush.
Crimson Sunbird in Sonder's Forest of Minahasa Highland
We completed our birding trip in Minahasa highland by visiting Kengkang waterfall in Tincep village which was the habitat of Gray-rumped Treeswift, White-rumped Triller, Sulawesi-crested Myna, White-eyed Drongo, and Green Imperial Pigeon. The strong sound of the waterfall made it difficult for us to hear the sounds of birds. So, we had to fuly rely on binoculars to look for birds that were sitting on the branches of trees. I also used my spotting scope to watch birds in distant trees. The mist from the waterfall fill the surrounding atmosphere slightly reducing the image quality of birds that we saw through the telescope.
Forest and farmland in Minahasa highland
After birding in Minahasa highland, we continued our trip to Sorong city where we did birding in Tambrauw, Klasow valley and Waigeo island of Raja Ampat.
Accommodation
During our birding trip in Minahasa highland, we stayed in Hotel Villa Emitta of Tomohon town which is approximately 1 hour by car from Sam Ratulangi Airport in Manado city.
The main gate to travel to Minahasa highland is Manado city. It can be reached by planes of Garuda, Batik Air, Lion Air and TransNusa from major cities in Indonesia such as Jakarta, Surabaya, Denpasar, Makassar and Sorong.
Flight Route from major cities in Indonesia to Manado city
Booking
If you are interested in taking a birding tour in North Sulawesi and Raja Ampat, and want me to organize your tour, please, contact me by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com
From the night of 15 to 19 July 2023, I guided 4 Spanish birders and Ilham (an Indonesian birding guide from Halmahera). We explored the forest of Klabili and Sausapor and Sorong Mangrove in search of rare birds. For paradise birds, they have seen them in Waigeo, Arfak range and Nimbokrang.
Spanish Birdwatchers in Tambrauw regency
We saw Papuan Hawk Owl, Papuan Pitta, Green-naped Pheasant Pigeon, Forest Bittern, Emperor Fairywren and Trumpet Manucode (also a paradise bird), New Guinea Vulturine Parrot, Red-necked Crake, Papuan Dwarf Kingfisher, Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Thick-billed Ground Pigeon, Orange-fronted Fruit Dove, Blue Black Kingfisher, Collared Imperial Pigeon, and etc. Unfortunately, we did not see Hooded Pitta. The following picture was taken from my other trip.
Hooded Pitta in Tambrauw regency
We also saw a lot of common birds such as Large Fig Parrot, Double-eyed Fig Parrot, Golden Myna, Black Sunbird, Sahul Sunbird, Zoe Imperial Pigeon, Black Lory, Coconut Lorikeet, Palm Cockatoo, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Dwarf Koel, Channel-billed Cuckoo, and etc. We minimize the use of laser pointer to avoid disturbing the birds.
They were very happy because they could watch rare birds that were in their target list to see.
If you are interested in birding and want me to organize your trip, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.
I have just returned from a 4 day-3 night birdwatching and sightseeing tour covering two beautiful places in Papua Barat Daya Province of Indonesa. They were Sausapor town and Klabili village of Tambrauw regency. We started from Sorong city on Day 1. I guided a couple from the Netherlands.
Eastern Hooded Pitta in Tambrauw regency
We went there by a chartered 4WD car. It took around 4 hours to reach Sausapor town. After checking into our rooms, we continued our activity by doing general birding at the outskirt of Sausapor town. There are several interesting birdwatching sites in Sausapor that we visited. We stayed at Sansapore Pacific Park. It is a beach resort. At the outskirt of Sausapor town, we saw a lot of species of birds including Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Palm Cockatoo, Blyth's Hornbill, Brown Oriole, Red-cheeked Parrot, Helmetted Friarbird, Sacred Kingfisher, Hooded Butcherbird, Coconut Lorikeet, Black-capped Lory, Frilled Monarch, Rainbow Bee-eater, Yellow-faced Myna, Glossy-mantled Manucode, Willy Wagtail, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, and a lot more.
Some flowers at the frontyard of Sansapore Pacific Park Resort
Because the resort had its own beach with coral reef, visitors could enjoy snorkeling. There are colorful flowers that grow in the resort including Red Hibiscus, Zinnia, Beach Hibiscus, Passion Flower, and Dendrobium Orchid. The flowers attracted various species of butterflies including Ulysses, Cruiser, Great Eggfly and Taenaris butterflies. Sansapore Pacific Park Beach Resort is a recommended base for butterfly watching trips in Sausapor town of Tambrauw regency.
White-bellied Sea Eagle at the outskirt of Sausapor town
On the third day, we continued our trip to Klabili village. There, they watched more interesting birds including: Hooded Pitta, Papuan Pitta, Lesser Birds of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise, Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Torresian Crow, Palm Cockatoo, Hooded Pitta, Western-crowned Pigeon, Oriental Dollarbird, and etc.
While sitting at the verandah of Klabili homestay, we saw a female cassowary entered the frontyard.
An immature Cassowary in Klabili village
Nightwalk was also organized during the tour. The forest in Sausapor and Klabili is the natural habitat of monitor lizard, snakes, bandicoot, cuscus, and nocturnal birds.
When we arrived in Sorong city, we had a short visit to Mangrove forest to find Orange-breasted Fig Parrot, Orange-fronted Fig Parrot and other birds.
After the tour, they continued their trip to Raja Ampat.
If you are interested in taking a sightseeing and birdwatching tour in Tambrauw regency of West Papua and want me to organize your tour, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com.
I have just completed a birding tour for two Australian birdwatchers in Sausapor town, Klabili village of Tambrauw regency, and Sorong city. We spent 4 days/ 3 nights exploring tropical rainforest of the region where we saw a lot of species of birds. Some of them include Lesser Birds of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Black Lory, Palm Cockatoo, Hooded Pitta and South Papuan Pitta.
Foreign visitors were watching birds in Tambrauw
Birds in Tambrauw regency
In Sausapor town, we went deeper into the forest by using 4WD car. There, we saw Blyth's Hornbill, Black-capped Lory, Red-cheeked Parrot, Helmetted Friarbird, Brown Oriole, Lesser Birds of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, Mimic Meliphaga, Golden Myna, Yellow-faced Myna, Rusty Pitohui, White-bellied Cuckooshrike, Hooded Butcherbird, Orange-bellied Fruit Dove, Torresian Crow, Lesser Black Coucal, Singing Starling, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Spangled Drongo, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, and a lot more. The recommended forests around Sausapor were the one along the Sausapor - Werur road and the one in hydroelectric powerplant.
Birdwatching in Tambrauw regency of the Province of Papua Barat Daya
We stayed 2 nights at Sansapore Pacific Park Beach Resort which is a beach accommodation that is suitable for visitors who like snorkeling and wildlife watching in the forest.
Hooded Pitta
South Papuan Pitta
In Klabili village, we saw Papuan Babbler, Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, New Guinea Vulturine Parrot (Merlin app. calls it Pesquet's Parrot), Shining Flycatcher, Papuan Pitta, Hooded Pitta, Papuan Frogmouth, Marbled Frogmouth, Pinon's Imperial Pigeon, Black Lory, Coconut Lorikeet, Palm Cockatoo, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Eclectus Parrot, Large Fig Parrot, and Frilled Monarch. The forest in Klabili consisted of two parts, the lowland forest and the lower montane forest which are the habitat of Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot, Western-crowned Pigeon, Papua Dwarf Kingfisher, Sooty Thicket Fantail, Moluccan King-Parrot and etc.
We stayed one night at the homestay that belongs to a villager. It was a basic accommodation but comfortable enough for birdwatching visitors who explore the forest in remote area.
Some birds on Mangrove forest of Sorong
Sorong City has got some interesting places for birdwatching. We went to Mangrove forest where we saw Brown-backed Honeyeater, Blue-fronted Fig Parrot, Striated Heron, Sahul Sunbird, Willie Wagtail, and Orange-fronted Fruit Dove.
Birding and Sightseeing in Sorong City
In my previous trip to a forest in Sorong regency, I guided two British ladies. We explored the forest in the mornings, afternoons and at nights. We saw a lot of species of birds including Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Purple-tailed Imperial Pigeon, Black Lory, Black-sided Robin, Spot-winged Monarch, and Ivory-billed Coucal, Glossy-mantled Manucode, Common Paradise Kingfisher and etc.
The rainforest areas from Sorong to Sausapor are great destination for wildlife watching. Visitors who are interested in visiting these places can go as single traveler or in a small group from two, three, to four people to share the cost of paying transportation, accommodation, guides and villagers who work to support the tour.
EASY WALKING TOUR AND BIRDING IN MINAHASA HIGHLAND
I offer 3 to 5 days birding tour package for visitors who want to visit the towns of Tomohon, Sonder and Kawangkoan in The highland of Minahasa in the Province of North Sulawesi of Indonesia. Minahasa is a highly recommended destination for visitors who want to spend their holiday by doing walking tour, seeing beautiful natural landscape, watching birds and butterflies. There are a lot of birdwatching sites in Minahasa. The level of difficulty for the walking and wildlife watching tour is easy. So, it is suitable for anyone.
Sonder is a Small Town in the highland of Minahasa
Birding in the Hill Forest and Farmland of Sonder town
In Sonder's hill forest and farmland, visitors could watch such birds as Crimson Sunbird, White-faced Cuckoo Dove, Mountain White-eye, Sulawesi Cuckoo Dove, Black-faced Munia, Collared Kingfisher, Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker, Sulawesi Drongo, and a lot more. Early in the morning, the temperature is cold. Most of Sonder's hill area is still covered by fog. So, birding could be done later at around 07:00 until 10:00 or even 11:00. Going to the top of the hill could be carried out by motorcycle, car, or even by hiking up the long slope. The temperature is very cool early in the morning. Bringing a good pair of binoculars will greatly enhanced the birding experience.
Waterfall, flowers, bird and butterfly in Sonder of Minahasa regency
Roadside Birding
Another birding site that can be explored by visitors is the road that connects Sonder and Kiawa village. Visitors could watch such birds as Sooty-headed Bulbul, Zebra Dove, Brown-throated Sunbird, Finch-billed Myna, White-eyed Drongo, Black-naped Oriole, Sahul Sunbird, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot and a lot more. The road condition is good so birdwatchers will enjoy easy birding walk. Because there is a lot of flat ground, bringing tripod for spotting scope and camera will be good.
Birds in the farmland and forest of Sonder town in the highland of Minahasa
Birding in Paddy Field
For visitors who want to watch birds such as Purple Heron, Cinnamon Bittern, White-browed Crake, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Eastern Yellow Wagtail, White-breasted Woodswallow, Chestnut Munia, Scaly-breasted Munia, Rock Pigeon, White-nest Swiftlet, Barn Swallow, Glossy Swiftlet, and Barred Rail, the recommended sites will be the rice field area in the south and northeast of Sonder. The terraces of paddy field provide beautiful view of the Minahasan agricultural land.
White-breasted Woodswallow
Birding Inside Sonder Town
A few small villages form Sonder town. Villagers grow clove, durian, coconut and other tropical trees around the yards of their houses. These trees and shrub plants attract birds. So, Sonder town itself is an interesting birding site. Black-crowned White-eye, Gray-sided Flowerpecker, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Black-naped Oriole, Sooty-headed Bulbul, Chestnut Munia and Scaly-breasted Munia, Brush Cuckoo, and etc.
The small town of Sonder is located around 20 minutes drive from Tomohon town. Visitors need to fly from their countries to major cities in Indonesia such as Denpasar, Surabaya, Jakarta and Makassar. There are daily flights availabe between these cities and Manado city. They are served by Lion Air, Trans Nusa, Batik Air and Garuda. Direct flights from Singapore to Manado city is provided by Scoot Air. For Chinese tourists, they could fly from Guangzhou of China to Manado city served by China Southern Airlines. From Manado to Sonder town, visitors could go by car. It takes around one hour to reach Sonder.
Flight Routes to Manado city
In the past, Sonder was famous for its clove commodity. Every harvest season, farmers dried their clove bud at the frontyards of their houses. Now, the town dwellers in Sonder town do not fully depend on one commodity. They grow vanilla, paddy, and vegetables, run pig and poultry farms. They have diversified their agricultural produce.
Accommodation
There are hotels in Tomohon town of Minahasa region which visitors can book online through booking.com or traveloka.com. We could also arrange your accommodation if you take this birding tour from us.
If you are interested in taking the tour, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.
I have just completed a private birding tour for a visitor from India. He arrived in Sorong by Citilink's plane. I met him at the airport and organized his transfer to Sansapore Pacific Park Beach Resort in Sausapor town of Tambrauw regency. It took around 3 hours to reach the destination.
Birding in Tambrauw and Sorong
We stayed at the wooden bungalows of the resort. The front, side and backyard areas of the resort are filled by various kind of trees, and flower plants. These plants attract insects and sometimes birds.
Meadow Argus Butterfly
Taenaris butterfly
The beach faced Pacific Ocean. There was huge coral reef area which was the habitat of a lot of species of marine creatures. Sansapore Pacific Park Beach Resort was a great place for snorkeling and insect or butterfly watching. There were cruiser, common green birdwing, silky owl, great eggfly and ulysses butterflies. Visitors needed at least three to four days to watch butterflies and to enjoy snorkeling.
Palm Cockatoo
After checking into the resort, we took a rest for around two hours and then began our birding tour to a forest a little outside Sausapor town. We spent around three and a half hours there. We saw Lesser Birds of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, Coconut Lorikeet, Hooded Butcherbird, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, and etc.
Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher
We continued our trip to Klabili village where we saw King Bird of Paradise, Palm Cockatoo, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher and Yellow-billed Kingfisher.
While we were about to do birding walk that morning at the village, a fish vendor came by a motorcycle with a basket attached on his back seat. There were various kinds of reef fish that he offers. Unfortunately, we were on a trip to the forest. We could not buy the fish. However, the villagers asked us to take some photos with the fish and the vender. Well, we were happy to do what they had requested. Here is the fish photo.
A pose with villagers, a fish vendor and his fish as well as some photos from the tour
During the last morning of the tour, we went birding in Mangrove area of Sorong city. We saw Orange-fronted Fruit Dove and Brown-backed Honeyeater, Sahul Sunbird, Nankeen Night Heron, Striated Heron, Common Sandpiper and etc.
If you are interested in taking a private butterfly watching, or snorkeling tour in West Papua, and want me to organize your trip and guide you, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.
In the past few months I have been guiding tourists on wildlife watching tours in Sorong, Tambrauw and Arfak mountains as well as other parts of Indonesia such as Sumatra, Bali and Java. Our experience in Tambrauw was unique because tour participants could see both marine and rainforest environment.
One of the destinations which we visited was Weyos beach. It was located in north-east region of Tambrauw. In early August 2023, I organized a trip for 8 French visitors. We went to Sausapor by 4WD car. It took around 3 hours to reach the town.
Wildlife in Tambrauw forest
Accommodation
We stayed at Sansapore Pacific Park which was a great place to enjoy sightseeing, sunset watching, swimming and snorkeling, recreational fishing, butterflywatching and birdwatching. The rainforest at the outskirt of Tambrauw regency was a good place for birding.
Sansapore Pacific Park Beach Resort
It was a beautiful beach accommodation. However we did not stay long at the beach resort. The next morning, we continued our trip to Weyos beach by 3 small motor boats. It took approximately 3 hours to reach the beach. Arriving at the beach, we put our belongings in a shelter. There were dome tents, mattrasses and pillows that I had prepared for the guests. For the next 3 days of our adventure at Weyos beach, we went swimming and snorkeling, watched birds along the sides of Wenyef river and visited that nesting site of leatherback turtles at night. There we saw baby turtles (hatchlings) coming out of the sand and crawling into the sea.
Weyos beach in Tambrauw regency
Local villagers went to the sea to catch fish. So, everyday, we could eat grilled fish.
The lek of Lesser Birds of Paradise was located on the slope of a hill around 20 minutes walk from our shelter. To watch the birds, we woke up at 05:00 and then made some preparations. At 05:30, we started walking to the site of the paradise birds. Most of the tour participants watched the paradise birds of the first time. It was a magical experience for them. They felt so happy after watching the courtship dance performance of the paradise birds. In the last day of our tour at Weyos beach, we posed for some photographs with local villagers. After saying goodbye to them, we left the beach by motorized boat to Sausapor town and then to Sorong city in the afternoon by 4wd cars again. All the tour participants were very happy with the trip.
Birdwatching in Tambrauw
I hope that in the near future, more tourists will be interested in visiting Tambrauw regency.
If you are interested in traveling to Tambrauw regency to enjoy your holiday, please, contact me by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.
BIRDING IN SONDER OF MINAHASA HIGHLAND
Sonder is a subdistrict town in Minahasa highland of North Sulawesi province of Indonesia. It is a highly recommended destination for visitors who love birding, and sightseeing.
Sulawesi island itself is located in the transitional region between Asia and Australia. Wallace line is an imaginery line that separates wildlife of Asia and Australia. Sulawesi. The fauna of Sulawesi is influenced by the Avifauna di the Australian region. The forest and farmland of Sonder is the habitat of a lot of species of birds including:
Sulawesi Scops Owl
Sulawesi Scops Owl, Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove, White-faced Cuckoo-dove, Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Sulawesi Malkoha, Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker, Crimson Sunbird, Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker, Turquoise Flycatcher, Warbling White-eye, Black-crowned White-eye, Sulawesi Drongo, and a lot more.
Visitors need at least 7 days to explore the forest in highland and lowland of North Sulawesi to watch most of its avifauna.
Booking
For birding program and cost of the tour, please, contact: peace4wp@gmail.com or whatsapp: +6281332245180.
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 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.
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.
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
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.
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
Mount Sakofsiah and Ases Valley are two important birding sites in Vogelkop region of West Papua. They are located next to Fef - the capital of Tambrauw regency. I used to go there several times to enjoy birdwatching and wildlife watching. The last time I went there was when I guided a couple of American tourists. We spent around 4 days in the forest to watch parrots, kingfishers, fruit doves and a lot of other tropical birds of West Papua. One of the most important species that could be seen in the area was the New Guinea Vulturine Parrot.
New Guinea Vulturine Parrot in Ases Valley
The bird has been widely extirpated by local people who hunt them to get its bright red feather. They use the feather for making traditional costumes which they use during traditional ceremonies.
In Tambrauw regency the New Guinea Vulturine Parrot is protected. The local government of Tambrauw has declared their territory as the regency of conservation.
American Tourists in Mount Sakofsiah
Logging of trees for commercial purposes, the conversion of forest into mono-culture plantation and the hunting of wild animals are strictly prohibited.
Tourism has been promoted as an important income generation scheme for local people.
Birdwatching and wildlife watching have become popular activities among visitors who go to Tambrauw especially to Mount Sakofsiah and Ases Valley. We enjoyed swimming in the river, did night walks, and went hiking in the mountains during our stay in Mount Sakofsiah and Ases valley.
When I and the American tourists as well as the local villagers explore the forest, we saw a lot of birds including Magnificent Riflebird, Lesser Bird of Paradise, Red-flanked Lorikeet, Great Cuckoo Dove, Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Palm Cockatoo, Coconut Lorikeet, Blyth's Hornbill, Black-browed Triller, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Sacred Kingfisher, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, cassowary, Golden Cuckooshrike, Oriental Dollarbird, Yellow-faced Myna, Golden Myna, Long-tailed Buzzard, New Guinea Harpy Eagle and a lot more.
Czech tourists in Ases river of Tambrauw regency
Deer, wallaby, cuscus possum, sugar glider, tree kangaroo, wild boar, snake also make the forest of Mount Sakofsiah and Ases valley as their natural habitat.
The landscape view of Mount Sakofsiah is very beautiful. I highly recommend this place as the most important destination for everyone who wants to see pristine rainforest ecosystem of West Papua.
I suggest that visitors go in a group of at least 2 to 4 people in order to share the cost of the tour.
The Covid-19 pandemic still occur throughout the world. This has forced Indonesian government stop the trips of all foreign tourists into the country. Government may allow foreign travellers again in next year in 2021.
If you are interested in traveling to Tambrauw mountains and want me to organize your tour, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.
The mountain range of Tambrauw is located between Manokwari and Sorong. It is covered by pristine tropical rainforest.
Moluccan King Parrot
It is a great destination for nature lovers and birdwatchers who want to watch a lot of beautiful tropical birds.
Some of them include: Lesser Birds of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, Magnificent Riflebird, Magnificent Bird of Paradise, New Guinea Vulturine Parrot, Palm Cockatoo, Western-crowned Pigeon, Long-tailed Buzzard, Yellow-faced Myna, Golden Myna, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, and a lot more.
Yellow-faced Myna (Mino dumontii)
New Guinea Vulturine Parrot
As a tourist guide, I have organized numerous birding tours to the region since 2010. Places that I like to visit with my clients include Kebar and Senopi, District capital of Miyah, Mount Sakofsiah and Ases valley, and coastal villages along the north coast of Tambrauw regency.
Best birding experience can be felt deep in the forest where there are no villages, lodges, or hotels. Dome and makeshif tents with air mattresses are used as our accommodation. I also bring cooking and eating utensils to serve tour participants during our birding trips in the jungle
Usually I bring my Canon 200D with 150-600 mm telephoto lens and laser pointer as well as records . I watch birds using a 20-60×60 mm spotting scope and identify them using field guide book Birds of New Guinea (written by Thane K. Pratt and Bruce Beehler). Mount Sakofsiah and Ases Valley as Vocal Points
During the tour, we will walk along the sides of river, roads or through the walking paths in the jungle to find birds. Places like Mount Sakofsiah and Ases Valley are very important destinations because New Guinea Harpy Eagle, and Dwarf Cassowary, New Guinea Vulturine Parrot, Red-flanked Lorikeet, and Mountain Peltop live there. When I guided some American tourists on several night walks in the forest, we saw sugar glider (perhaps the Petaurusbrevicepspapuanus), deer, monitor lizards and fresh water fish and big frogs too.
American tourists were watching birds in
Tambrauw regency of West Papua
How to get there?
First, you need to fly from your country to Jakarta (the capital of Indonesia).
Second, you need to continue your trip by flying to Manokwari city.
Third, we will meet you at the airport and organize your trip to Tambrauw.
Cost
The cost of the tour depends on the number of participants and the number of days you plan to stay. Please, contact me (Charles Roring) by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com if you are interested in traveling to Tambrauw.
