Birding Tour in Manokwari

Birding Destination

Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor)

Manokwari regency has been famous as the most important birdwatching destination in New Guinea island. As the largest tropical island in the world, New Guinea is divided into 2 territory. The eastern region is the independent state of Papua New Guinea and the western one is the territory of Indonesia called West Papua. There are 2 provinces in West Papua, i.e. Papua (with the capital of Jayapura) and Papua Barat (with Manokwari as its capital).
As a birding tour destination, Manokwari has got several areas that are suitable for birdwatching:
The Lowland Forest
This is the forest area which is the natural habitat of Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, Blyth's hornbill, Western Crowned Pigeon, Rainbow Lorikeet, Pesquet Parrot (which is very difficult to find), Friarbird, Beautiful Fruit Dove and the famous Lesser Birds of Paradise. Azure Kingfisher, King Birds of Paradise, Paradise Riflebird, Spangled Drongo, Eclectus Parrot and a lot more.

Arfak Mountains
Higher Montane Forest of Arfak Mountains has become a world class birding destination. Here, visitors are able to watch Western Parotia, Magnificent Birds of Paradise, Vogelkop Bowerbird and Cinnamon Ground Dove.

Cinnamon Ground Dove

The Lower Montane Forest of the mountains has got birds whose species are similar to the ones in low flat land area.
As a tourist guide, I could arrange a trekking tour in the jungle of Manokwari regency. During the tour, visitors will be able to stay in the jungle for several days to watch not only birds but also other wild animals such as cuscus possum and colorful butterflies.
Birding Gear
Most birdwatchers need a pair of binoculars to see birds. To enhance birding experience, I will also bring a spotting scope and a field guide entitled Birds of New Guinea written by Bruce Beehler and his friends. A D-SLR camera with telephoto lens will be a useful device particularly for taking pictures of birds in distant branch of a tree. Today, Nikon has manufactured a bridge camera with the highest optical zoom 83x. Its type is Nikon Coolpix P900. Because the birding activity will be done in tropical jungle, I will bring dome tents.

Snorkeling Tour
In addition to jungle tour, I can also organize a snorkeling tour for you if you want to see coral reef and tropical fish that live in Manokwari waters. Based on my personal observation, there are a lot of of species of fish that can be seen. Some of them are striped surgeon fish, trevally, damselfish, moorish idol, parrotfish, grouper, and anemonefish.

How to get there?

• Fly from your country to Jakarta city (the capital of Indonesia)
• Fly from Jakarta to Manokwari by domestic airlines such as Garuda, Express Air, Sriwijaya Air 
• I could meet you in Manokwari city and organize your birding trip in the jungle.

Contact:
Please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com if you are interested in trekking and birdwatching in Manokwari.