Birding in Tambrauw and Sorong (5 Days/ 4 Nights)

I have just completed a tour in Klabili village of Tambrauw regency and in the birding sites at the outskirts of Sorong city and Aimas town. I guided a couple from the Netherlands. We spent 3 days/ 2 nights in Klabili and 2 days/ 2 nights in Sorong to watch birds. During our stay in Klabili, we explored the rainforest of the village where we saw various species of rainforest birds including Papuan Pitta, Eastern Hooded Pitta, Blyth's Hornbill, Palm Cockatoo, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Beautiful Fruit-dove, Pink-spotted Fruit-dove, Wompoo Fruit-dove, Zoe Imperial Pigeon, Yellow-faced Myna, King Bird of Paradise, Sahul Sunbird, Black-capped Lory, Red-cheeked Parrot, Frilled Monarch, Streaked-headed Honeyeater, Brahminy Kite, Long-tailed Honey-buzzard, and New Guinea Vulturine Parrot (Pesquet Parrot -ebird)etc. 

Eastern-hooded Pitta

We also did some night walks in Klabili where we saw Papuan Frogmouth and Flying fox.

At the outskirts of Aimas town in Sorong regency, we saw Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Hooded Butcherbird, Black Butcherbird, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Brown Oriole, Helmeted Friarbird, and Metallic Starling. We also explored coastal area in the north coast of Sorong. There, we saw Common Sandpiper, Pacific Reef Heron, Brahminy Kite, Torresian Crow, Beach Kingfisher. We also saw, perhaps, a Blue Rock Thrush, on top of a rocky islet. Well, it is not a common bird in this region. 

Birdwatching in the north coast of Sorong regency

We also visited Love Hill of Sorong where we saw Yellow-faced Myna, and Black Butcherbird. In mangrove area at the outskirts of Aimas town, we saw White-bellied Cuckooshrike, Brown-backed Honeyeater, Glossy-mantled Manucode, Collared Imperial Pigeon, Orange-fronted Imperial Pigeon, Common Sandpiper, Pacific Golden Plover and Little Heron. There were Scaly-breasted Munia and Spotted Dove which, probably, were escaped caged birds. 

Rainforest at the suburb of Sorong city; Brahminy Kite, Beach Kingfisher

To watch birds, I use 2 pairs of 10×50 binoculars. I carried one and the other pair was mounted on the tripod. This allows everyone to watch birds that were sitting on distant branches of trees. 

Wompoo Fruit-dove

Also read: 

• Sorong city Birding Tour
• Morning Birding Tour in Sorong city

Birding Tour in North Sulawesi: Tangkoko, Lake Tondano, Mount Mahawu & Sonder Forest

Some Birds in Sonder of Minahasa Highland

North Sulawesi is one of the best places in Indonesia for birdwatching. In a short distance, you can visit rainforest, lakes, farmland, and mountain forest. A birding tour that includes:

• Tangkoko Nature Reserve
• Lake Tondano
• Mount Mahawu
• Sonder Forest

This trip gives you the chance to see many special birds that only live in Sulawesi.

Birds in North Sulawesi

Tangkoko Nature Reserve

Tangkoko is a famous rainforest area in North Sulawesi. It is one of the best places to see Sulawesi’s unique birds. The forest is close to the coast and has many different habitats.

Some birds you may see here include:

* Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfisher

* Green-backed Kingfisher

* Sulawesi Hornbill

* Lilac Kingfisher

* Sulawesi Pitta

Gursky's Spectral Tarsier

The best time to watch birds in Tangkoko is early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when birds are most active. In addition to birds tour participants could also see mammals, reptiles and insects. Attractive mammals include Celebes-crested Macaque, Spectral Tarsier, and Sulawesi Bear Cuscus. 

Rusty-backed Thrush

Lake Tondano

Lake Tondano offers a different birding experience. It is a large lake surrounded by villages, rice fields, and open land. This area is good for seeing waterbirds and birds that live in open spaces.

You may see:

* Wandering Whistling Duck

* Purple Heron

* White-browed Crake

* Yellow Bittern

* Collared Kingfisher

The lake area is also a good place to see birds flying over the water and feeding in the fields.

Collared Kingfisher

Mount Mahawu

Mount Mahawu is a small volcano with cool mountain forest. There is a walking path around the crater, making it easy to explore. The higher elevation means you can see different birds than in the lowland forest.

Some possible birds include:

• Scaly-breasted Kingfisher
• Sulawesi Scops Owl
• Sulawesi Myzomela
• Mountain White-eye
• Sulawesi Cuckoo-Dove

On clear days, you can also enjoy beautiful views of the crater and surrounding landscape.

Crater of Mount Mahawu

Lake Linow

This is a volcanic lake that is always visited by tourists. We could see a lot of species of birds both along its shore and in the water. There are Sunda Teal, Javan Pond Heron, Whiskered Tern, Little Egret, Woodsandpiper, Barn Swallow, White-breasted Waterhen and etc.

Sonder Forest

Sonder Forest is a quieter and less crowded birding spot. It has mountain forest with tall trees and thick vegetation. This makes it a good place to find shy birds.

You may find:

• Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker
• Sulawesi Drongo
• Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker
• Black-naped Fruit-dove
• Black-crowned White-eye
• Crimson Sunbird
• Yellow-sided Flowerpecker
• Mountain Tailorbird
• Black Sunbird

Because fewer people visit Sonder, it is peaceful and great for slow birdwatching and photography.

Yellow-sided Flowerpecker

Why Visit All These Places?

Each location offers a different type of habitat:

* Rainforest

* Lake and rice-field wetlands

* Farmland

* Mountain forest

* Water-falls

By visiting all four places, you increase your chances of seeing many different bird species, especially those found only in Sulawesi.

Barred Rail

Best Time to Go

You can go birdwatching in North Sulawesi at any time of year. However, the dry season usually makes forest trails easier to walk. Early mornings and late afternoons are the best times to see birds.

A Great Birding Experience

A birding tour to Tangkoko, Lake Tondano, Mount Mahawu, and Sonder Forest is a wonderful way to explore nature in North Sulawesi. With beautiful scenery and many special birds, this trip is perfect for bird lovers and nature enthusiasts.

Flight routes to Manado city

How to get there?

You need to fly to Manado city. It is the capital of North Sulawesi province in Indonesia. We could meet you at the airport and then organize your tour to birding sites mentioned in this blog post.

Accommodations

There are homestays, guesthouses and hotels that you could stay in during your birding/ wildlife watching tour in this part of North Sulawesi province. We could organize it for you.

If you are interested in taking day birding tour to the above places and want me to organize your trip, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or through whatsapp by pressing this contact link.

Birds and Paddy Fields in Sonder

Also read:

• Birding Across Tangkoko Nature Reserve, Mount Mahawu, Sonder Forest and Manado city
• Birding and Wildlife Tour in Tangkoko and Minahasa Highland

Birding in Waigeo of Raja Ampat and Klasow valley of Sorong Regency

Waigeo island is the most recommended destination for visitors who want to enjoy birding in Raja Ampat. The main targets of observation are Red Bird of Paradise and Wilson's Bird of Paradise. A lot of species of tropical birds can be watched in Raja Ampat especially Waigeo and its surrounding islands. They include Claret-breasted Fruit-dove, Palm Cockatoo, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Red-cheeked Parrot, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Pied Imperial Pigeon, Beautiful Fruit-dove, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Collared Kingfisher, Beach Kingfisher, Spangled Drongo, Papuan Frogmouth, Marbled Frogmouth, and etc.

The trip in Raja Ampat is usually combined with snorkeling and sightseeing trips in Kabui bay, Friwen, Yenbuba Strait, Arborek island and Piaynemo karst. Visitors who are interested in snorkeling should bring their own snorkeling masks, snorkels and pipes. Underwater cameras are also needed for taking pictures of marine life during the snorkeling excursions in Raja Ampat. 

Red Bird of Paradise

Snorkeling photo from Arborek

Snorkeling Photo from Waigeo

Coral reef in Raja Ampat

I often guide tourists on birding or wildlife watching trip to Malagufuk, Sorong's ridge forest and Waigeo island in Raja Ampat. The duration of the trip is usually around 1 to 2 weeks covering lowland, hill and sea or coastal avifauna. During the tour, we could see various species of tropical birds from parrots and fruit doves to kingfishers and paradise birds. 

Blyth's Hornbill

In Malagufuk, I usually spend between 3 to 4 days. We do birding in the mornings, late afternoons and at nights. Birds that we watch include Lesser Birds of Paradise, Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise, Magnificent Riflebird, King Bird of Paradise, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Azure Kingfisher, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Beautiful Fruit Dove, Wompoo Fruit Dove, Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Purple-tailed Imperial Pigeon, Red-cheeked Parrot, Palm Cockatoo, Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot, Coconut Lorikeet, and a lot more. 

After exploring the rainforest of Malagufuk, we usually continue our adventure by birding in coastal mangrove forest of Sorong city. There, we could look for Orange-fronted Fruit Dove, Blue-fronted Fig Parrot, White-bellied Cuckooshrike, Collared Imperial Pigeon, Sahul Sunbird, Willie Wagtail, Olive-crowned Flowerpecker, Sacred Kingfisher and etc. Sorong city is the main transit point for visitors who want to travel to Raja Ampat. 

Common Paradise Kingfisher

• Birding near Sorong city
• Birding in Kasulala Forest
• Short Birding Tour in Sorong city
• Birding in Klabili and Malagufuk

Birding and Wildlife Watching Tour in Tangkoko Nature Reserve and Minahasa Highland

Tangkoko Nature Reserve is a favorite destination in North Sulawesi Province of Indonesia for birdwatching or wildlife watching activities. The tropical rainforest of area is the habitat of Yellow-billed Malkoha, Blue-backed Parrot, Ashy Woodpecker, Green-backed Kingfisher, Lilac Kingfisher, Ruddy Kingfisher, Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfisher and White-necked Myna, and Red-backed Thrush, Ochre-bellied Boobook and etc. 

At the edge of the forest, especially on Temboan hill, visitors could see Knobbed Hornbill, Sulawesi Hornbill, Green Imperial Pigeon, Black-naped Fruit-dove, Minahasa Racquet-tail, Gray-rumped Treeswift, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Gray-cheeked Green Pigeon and etc. 

For visitors who are interested in mammals, they could see Celebes-crested Macaque, Sulawesi Bear Cuscus, Gursky's Spectral Tarsier, and Celebes Dwarf Squirrel. 

Gursky's Spectral Tarsier

The trip in Tangkoko National Park usually includes a boat ride excursion to Naun river to find Great-billed Kingfisher, Purple Heron, Great-billed Heron, Pacific Reef Heron, Lesser Frigatebird, Greater Frigatebird, White-rumped Cuckooshrike, Pacific Swallow and etc. 

The duration of the birdwatching and wildlife watching tour in Tangkoko is usually 4 days/ 3 nights and can be combined with another birding tour to Minahasa Highland. 

There are several birding sites in Minahasa Highland such as Mount Mahawu, Lake Linow, Sonder's Farm Forest, Lalek Farm Forest, Talikuran Rice Field, and Kengkang Waterfalls. Visitors could spend 4 days/ 3 nights in this region. 

Some birds in Minahasa Peninsula

A lot of species, including the endemic ones, could be watched in Minahasa Highland. There are Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher, Turquoise Flycatcher, Citrine Canary Flycatcher, Sulawesi Pitta, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Pygmy Hanging Parrot, Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove, Sulawesi Bush Warbler, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Gray-sided Flowerpecker, Gray-cheeked Green Pigeon, Zebra Dove, White-breasted Woodswallow, Chestnut Munia, Scaly-breasted Munia, Black-faced Munia, and etc. 

There are regular flights between Sorong city and Manado city of North Sulawesi served by TransNusa and Lion Air. Visitors who are interested in taking a tour in North Sulawesi first and then in Raja Ampat could fly to Singapore and then continue their trip to Manado city by Scoot Air. There is direct flight between Guangzhou China and Manado city of Indonesia served by TransNusa and China Southern Airlines. Visitors who are already in Indonesia could fly from any big cities to Sam Ratulangi International Airport of Manado city. 

Flight Routes to Manado City

Accommodation

There are hotels and homestays in Tomohon town, and lodges for visitors near Tangkoko Nature Reserve. 

If you are interested in taking a birding, sightseeing and snorkeling tour in West Papua as well as wildlife tour in North Sulawesi, and want me to organize your tour and guide you, please, contact me by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com. 

Related Posts:

• Birding and Wildlife Tour in Tangkoko and Minahasa Highland
• Tangkoko Nature Reserve: A Wildlife Haven in North Sulawesi
• Birding in Minahasa of North Sulawesi
• Birdwatching and Photography Tour in Minahasa Highland

Paradise Riflebird Call

Magnificent Riflebird is a species of bird of paradise that lives in tropical rainforest of Tanah Papua (in English, it is called New Guinea). It can be found in lowland and lower montane forests. The call of the bird can be heard in almost all day. Here is a video of the paradise bird that I recorded using Canon D-SLR camera that was equipped with 600 mm telephoto lens. Although the bird can be heard calling nearly all day, it is quite difficult to find him due to its dark feather. 

The dancing site of this paradise bird can be a hanging vine or a branch of a tree that is in horizontal position. 

Magnificent Riflebird in Manokwari

Birdwatching Sites - There are a lot of places in West Papua where visitors can go to watch the Magnificent Riflebird. Some of them that I know include:

• Klatomok Village in Sorong regency. Visitors who fly to Sorong city in order to take a holiday in Raja Ampat can also take a rainforest tour to Klatomok village by a 4WD car to find this bird and a lot of other tropical bird in the forest. The forest in Klatomok is also the habitat of wallaby, wild pigs, deer, echidna, soa-soa lizard, snake, cuscus possum and etc.
• Tambrauw - This regency has got hundreds of birding sites which visitors can explore to find not only the riflebird but also a long list of birds and other wild animals that are endemic to rainforest of West Papua. 
• Susnguakti forest of Manokwari, and 
• Aisandami Village of Wondama regency. 

Silhouette of the Paradise Riflebird

Magnificent Riflebird (Ptiloris magnificus)

Other interesting tropical birds that can be watched include Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Western-crowned Pigeon, Orange-bellied Fruiy Dove, Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Glossy-mantled Manucode, King Bird of Paradise, Palm Cockatoo, Eclectus Parrot, Large Fig Parrot, Double-eyed Fig Parrot, and a lot more. 

BIRDING IN MINAHASA

Minahasa is a region in the Province of North Sulawesi, the Republic of Indonesia. It is a good destination for birding visitors. There are a lot of birds which visitors can watch while walking along the forest edge, farmland and paddy fields of Minahasa. There are a number of sites which tourists can explore to watch birds. Some of them are listed below:

Black-naped Oriole

• Tounelet Slope. This is a very small forest in Subdistrict Sonder of Minahasa regency that can be reached by car for around 1.5.hours. Siloam hospital and Birding Minahasa (a birding tour organizer) are located in the vicinity. Birds that can be watched here include: Sooty-headed Bulbul, Sahul Sunbird, Brown-throated Sunbird, Black-crowned White-eye, Sulawesi Swiftlet, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Chestnut Munia, Scaly-breasted Munia, Gray-sided Flowerpecker, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Black-naped Oriole, Eurasian Treesparrow, Brush Cuckoo, Pale Blue Monarch, White-nest Swiftlet, Sulawesi Swiftlet Pacific Swift, Uniform Swiftlet, Purple Needletail, and etc. 
• High elevation forest of Sonder is the habitat some interesting species such as  Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher, Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove, Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker, Sulawesi Myzomela, Crimson Sunbird, Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker, Warbling White-eye, Black-faced Munia, White-faced Cuckoo Dove, and etc. 
• Farmland and Paddy Fields of Sonder is the habitat of more interesting birds such as Zebra Dove, White-eyed Drongo, Finch-billed Myna, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Purple Heron, Cinnamon Bittern, Sunda Teal, Collared Kingfisher, Yellow-billed Malkoha, White-breasted Woodswallow, and etc.
• More birds can be watched when we visit Mount Mahawu. Red-eared Fruit Dove, Citrine Canary Flycatcher, Sulphur-bellied Whistler, Mountain Tailorbird, Isabelline Bush-hen, Vinous-breasted Sparrowhawk, Eyebrowed Thrush, Maroon-chinned Fruit Dove, Spotted Dove, Sulawesi Leaf Warbler and etc.
• The Nature Reserve of Tangkoko is a must see destination for lowland birds such as Grey-cheeked Green Pigeon, Silver-tipped Fruit Dove, Green Imperial Pigeon, Knobbed Hornbill, Sulawesi Hornbill, Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfisher,Green-backed Kingfisher, Ashy Woodpecker, Lilac-cheeked Kingfisher, Spot-tailed Goshawk, and etc. 

Gray-sided Flowerpecker

Black-faced Munia

If you want a guide to organize your birding trip in Minahasa, please, contact me by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com

Also read:

• Birding in Minahasa
• Manado City Birdwatching and Sightseeing Tour
• Birding in North Sulawesi
• Birding in Sonder of Minahasa
• Birdwatching in Sulawesi
• Birdwatching and butterflywatching in Sonder
• https://wildlifeminahasa.blogspot.com

Birding in North Sulawesi

Last year I guided a tourist from the Netherlands on a birding, wildlife watching, and sightseeing tour in North Sulawesi. This is a province in Indonesia. We spent around two weeks exploring the rainforest of the region. 

The first place that we visited was a waterfall in the suburban area of Manado city. We walked on the concrete path that was quite slippery to the waterfall and admired its beauty. After that we walked slowly back to the main road while watching birds. Blue-tailed Bee-eater was the one that we saw flying around the open space near the cliff of  the waterfall. 

Birding in North Sulawesi

As we walk along the roadside, we began to see more interesting birds such as Oriental Dollardbird, Green Imperial Pigeon, and Black-naped Fuit Dove. We also saw Sulawesi Spangled Drongo, Sulawesi Crow, Collared-Kingfisher, Little Egret, and Cattle Egret. There were a small group of crake that were walking up a slope across from us. They were quite far. I could not see in details about their feather. They could be Buff-banded Rail or Slaty-legged Crake. The Dutch lady wanted to visit Bunaken. So, I organized a trip to the island. 

Black-faced Munia

Returning to Manado city, we continued our trip to Doloduo by public bus where we stayed in Tante Mien's homestay. It was far from Manado and took a few hours to reach it.

We walked along the roadsides, around the rice field and saw a lot of Domestic Pigeon, Red-collared Dove, Sahul Sunbird, Chestnut/ Black-headed Munia, Pacific Swallow near a water dam. There were some Black-faced Munia moving inside the branches of a shrub plant. I carefully aimed my camera at those birds and shot one of them. 

Rusty-backed Thrush

We continued our trip to Tangkoko Nature Reserve and spent a few days watching birds in the region. I was able to take pictures of Sulawesi Hornbill, Ashy Woodpecker, Ruddy Kingfisher, Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfisher, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Finch-billed Myna (Scissirostrum dubium), White-eyed Spangled Drongo, Spotted Dove, Zebra Dove, White-rumped Triller, Grey-cheeked Green Pigeon, Knobbed Hornbill and a lot more. In Tangkoko's forest, we saw mammals such as Celebes Crested Macaque and Spectral Tarsier. The trip to Tangkoko was a prolific birding experience.

Black-naped Oriole, Pygmy Hanging Parrot, Pale Blue Monarch, Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove

The highland of Minahasa was in our list of places to visit. By another public bus, we went to Tomohon and stayed in a hotel for a few nights. We went hiking to the crater of Mount Mahawu, enjoyed tea and watching birds in Lake Linow of Tomohon and visited extreme traditional market near the bus station. People sell and buy dogs, snake, fruit bats, mouse as meat. 

Traditional Market in Subdistrict Town of Sonder

At the last leg of the tour, we visited Pal beach in North Minahasa regency. The scenery was beautiful. Unfortunately, I did not bring my snorkeling mask, and fins. So, I could not explore its coral reef.

A White Sandy Beach in North Sulawesi

I still had a separate birding walk in District Sonder where I saw Sulawesi Scops Owl (Otus manadensis), Turquoise Warbling-flycatcher (Eumyas panayensis), Sooty-headed Bulbul, Grey-sided Flowerpecker, Pale Blue Monarch, Sulawesi Malkoha, Black-naped Oriole (Oriolus chinensis), Black-crowned White-eye, Barred Rail (Gallirallus torquatus), female Crimson Sunbird (Aethopyga siparaja), Sulawesi Hanging Parrot (Loriculus stigmatus), and a lot more.

At the airport, before flying back to her country, she and I saw Sulawesi Cuckoo Dove. 

Are you interested in taking a birdwatching tour in North Sulawesi?

Flight Routes to Manado City

There are daily flights from major city in Indonesia to Manado city served by such airlines as Garuda, Citilink, Batik Air and Lion Air. There is direct flight between Singapore and Manado city served by Scoot Air. From Guangzhou to Manado city, the flight is served by China Southern Airlines.

Flight routes from major cities in Indonesia to Manado

Land route from Manado city to Tomohon and Sonder that are surrounded by birding sites

If you are interested in visiting the province of North Sulawesi in Indonesia, and want me to organize your trip and guide you, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: -6281332245180.

Also read:

• Red-knobbed Hornbill
• Farm Tour in Minahasa
• Sightseeing, Snorkeling and Marine Tours
• Birding and Wildlife Watching Tour in Tangkoko Nature Reserve
• Birding in Tangkoko
• Birding in Sonder of Minahasa
• Walking Tour, Birdwatching and Butterflywatching in District Sonder of Minahasa Highland
• Birds in North Sulawesi
• Birdwatching Tour in the Farmland and Forest of Minahasa Highland
• Manado City Tour: Birdwatching and Sightseeing
• Birding in North Sulawesi
• Birdwatching in Minahasa Highland
• Collared Kingfisher
• Birding in Minahasa of North Sulawesi
• Birding in Higher Elevation Forest of Minahasa
• https://exploreminahasa.com

Rainforest Tour in Malagufuk village of Sorong Regency

There is a huge area of lowland rainforest in Klasow valley approximately 1 hour 30 minutes by 4WD pick-up car to the east from Sorong city. There are tens of villages in the valley. Some of them were Malagufuk, Klatomok, Klabili. Various species of tropical trees such as ficus, African tulip, matoa and merbau can be found in the region.

Rainforest in Malagufuk

It is also the natural habitat of Lesser Birds of Paradise, Blyth's Hornbill, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Kingfishers and Casuari birds. There are also deers, wallaby and wild pigs that live in the jungle.

Ficus tree in the rainforest of
Klasow Valley - Sorong regency

Because much of the land is flat, visitors will be able to enjoy an easy nature walk find while exploring the forest.

Use digital camera with telephoto lens or such bridge camera as Nikon Coolpix P900 to take pictures of Blyth's hornbill, cockatoos, butterflies, terrestrial orchids, cuscus possum, snake, riverscape and wild vines that are seen during the jungle walk.

Blyth's hornbill in the rainforest of
Klasow valley - Sorong regency

How to get there?

• If you are still in your country, fly to Jakarta
• Then continue your trip to Sorong city by a domestic flight. Check the websites of Garuda Air, Sriwijaya Air, Express Air, and Lion Air for flight schedule between Jakarta and Sorong city.
• At least, one week before flying to Sorong, please contact me Charles Roring by calling or sending text message to my cell phone number +6281332245180. I will arrange a 4WD pick up truck, prepare the logistics, and contacting local villagers for your trip in Klasow valley.

Cost

Every tour in the rainforest is unique. The cost depends on the number of participants, the number of days visitors want to stay in the jungle and the distance visitors want to cover while walking in the jungle. We can customize the tour based on the duration of stay and the number of participants of the forest tour.

We can calculate the cost including chartered 4WD car, food, cook, local guides, chartered boat, snorkeling mask, camping gear, cooking and eating utensils, rechargeable lamps and etc. Please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com for further information about the cost and itinerary of the tour.

What you need to prepare

Because you are going to have a tour in the rainforest, do not expect to stay in a comfortable hotel. You will stay in homestay or basic accommodation guesthouse.. Bring a thin sleeping back that will cover your body from insect bites. Buy a bottle of insect repellent lotion and apply it on your skin. 

Terrestrial orchids in the forest of Klasow valley - Sorong regency

The villagers of Malaumkarta, Klabili, and Malagufuk are still in the very early stage of developing their eco-tourism. So, visitors are advised to be more tolerant to their lack of skills and experience when serving you as visitors. We greatly hope that the villagers of Klatomok, and Malagufuk in the Klasow valley will stop logging activities and preserve their precious environment for future generation of Papua. You could do the rainforest tour in this valley alone or with your friends before or after visiting Raja Ampat.

Snorkeling Trip in Raja Ampat

In addition to rainforest tour in lowland forest of Sorong regency, visitors can combine it with a trip to Raja Ampat to enjoy snorkeling and birdwatching. The coral reef of Raja Ampat is the habitat of a lot of species of marine creatures. Visitors could enjoy swimming and snorkeling in various sites around Waigeo such as the Lesser Urai Island, Mioskon island, Arborek, Yenbuba Strait, Sawandarek, and Cape Kri. 

White sandy beach in Raja Ampat

To take photographs of marine life, visitors can bring GoPro action camera, or Nikon W300 and Olympus TG-7. Although most beach resorts provide snorkeling mask, and fins, visitors should bring their own snorkeling device that are fit on their face and feet.

Coral reef in Arborek

If you are interested in taking this rainforest tour in Sorong regency and still need my help in providing more info about costs or in arranging your trip, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com or send text message to my cell phone: +6281332245180

Rainforest Tour in Minahasa Peninsula of North Sulawesi

Minahasa Peninsula is a region in the Province of North Sulawesi of Indonesia that is also interesting for rainforest wildlife tourism. Its lowland and lower montane forest in Tangkoko Nature Reserve is the habitat of Sulawesi Bear Cuscus, Celebes-crested Macaque, Gursky's Spectral Tarsier, and etc. 

Sulawesi Bear Cuscus

Birdwatching is a favorite activity among visitors who go to Tangkoko. There, they could watch Green-backed Kingfisher, Lilac Kingfisher, Ruddy Kingfisher, Great-billed Kingfisher, Ashy Woodpecker, Purle-winged Roller, and etc. 

Green-backed Kingfisher

In the mountains, there are a lot of species of tropical birds that we could watch such as Scaly-breasted Kingfisher, Sulawesi Myzomela, Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Gray-sided Flowerpecker, Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker, Warbling White-eye, Black-crowned White-eye, Crimson Sunbird, Sahul Sunbird, Black Sunbird, Pale Blue Monarch, Pygmy Woodpecker, Citrine Canary Flycatcher, Sulawesi Bush Warbler, White-breasted Woodswallow, Pygmy Hanging Parrot, Yellow-billed Malkoha, and etc. 

Lakes and wet rice fields are the habitat of various kinds of water birds such as Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Barred Rail, Buff-banded Rail, Isabelline Bush-hen, White-browed Crake, White-breasted Waterhen, Javan Pond Heron, and etc. 

Most birdwatchers need binoculars. The recommended ones include Nikon Monarch, Swarovski, Swarovski 8×42 mm, 10×42 mm or 10×50 mm binoculars. 

Flight Routes

To visit Minahasa Peninsula, visitors need to fly from their countries to Manado city which is the capital of North Sulawesi Province of Indonesia. There are regular flights between Manado city and other big cities in Indonesia such as Jakarta, Surabaya, Denpasar, Makassar. They are served by Garuda, Citilink, Lion Air, Batik Air, SuperAirjet, and TransNusa. 

Flight Routes to Manado City

There are direct flights between Singapore and Manado city served by Scoot Air, as well as between Guangzhou of China and Manado city of Indonesia served by Transnusa, and China Southern Airlines. 

Accommodation

• For birding and wildlife watching in Tangkoko Nature Reserve, visitors could stay in one of the many homestays and lodges outside the park. 
• For the same activity in Minahasa highland such as Mount Mahawu, Lake Linow, and Sonder farm forest, visitors could stay in hotels or homestays in Tomohon town. 

Booking

If you are interested in taking a birding and wildlife watching tour in Minahasa Peninsula and want me to organize your trip, please, contact me by WhatsApp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com.

Also read:

• Birds in Malagufuk, Sorong and Raja Ampat
• Raja Ampat Snorkeling
• Snorkeling in Raja Ampat around Kabui Bay
• Birding in Tangkoko
• Birding and Wildlife Watching in Tangkoko and Minahasa Highland 
• Discover Bunaken National Park: Sightseeing, Snorkeling and Marine Tours
• Walking Tour, Birdwatching and Butterflywatching in District Sonder of Minahasa Highland

• Birdwatching in Minahasa Highland
• Manado City Birdwatching and Sightseeing Tour
• Birding in North Sulawesi
• Birding in Sonder of Minahasa
• Birdwatching and butterflywatching in Sonder