Although Raja Ampat known as the most diverse marine habitat, the area around Waigeo and Gam Island is covered in floral communities including Mangrove Forests, Beach Forest, Lowland Forest and Sub Mountain Forest. This broad variety of habitat offers respite for a wide range of animals such as birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, butterflies and plants. Many of these species are very rare or endemic to this area. As you can see the bird watching in Raja Ampat will be an exciting activity that you should not miss.
Raja Ampat is a birder’s paradise. Flocks of colorful parrots is a distinctive sight when you first arrive to the island. And after the first night’s deep sleep, you will be awakened by a chorus of tropical sounds. You will observe eagles above the resort or during your boat journeys. These are common, daily experiences. However, there is a lot more to birdwatching than that in Raja Ampat. Raja Ampat islands are home to three endemics; Wilson’s Bird of Paradise, Waigeo Brush Turkey and the famous, crimson plumed Red Bird of Paradise. Other birding highlights include Western Crowned Pigeon, Pheasant Pigeon, Palm Cockatoo, Great-billed Parrot and Moluccan Red Lory.
Wilson’s bird of paradise is rather small. Males can reach a length of 16 centimeters. The male is a red and black bird of paradise, with a yellow mantle on its neck, light green mouth, rich blue feet and two curved violet tail feathers. The head is naked blue, with a black double cross pattern on it. The female is a brownish bird with bare blue crown.
The rituals of seduction of these birds clear an area in the floor to create a ‘display court’. Then they perform an elaborate mating dance to impress a potential mate. The male usually exhibits the attractive breast shield and accompanies the mating dance with song and calls.
Although animals such as Spotted Cuscus, an array of colorful Butterflies and many forest birds can be seen, the main attraction is by far the Red Bird of Paradise as this is one of the only places in the world we can get to witness these truly amazing birds. We advise you to read up on some literature about them before doing this walk so as to maximize the enjoyment and magnitude of your walk.
These birds are very rare and they have their own special tree about 45 minutes from right at the back of our property. Upon reaching “base camp” you will soon be awarded by one of the most elegant and exotic displays in nature as there have been sightings of 4 male birds dancing and displaying to 1 or 2 females, vying for the chance to mate. These females are so choosy that it might take many visits by many evils before anything happens. After week upon week, day after day and countless hours some evils still never get the chance to mate!
Day 1: Arrival Sorong – Waisai (Raja Ampat) (D)
Arrival at Sorong Airport, meeting service and transfer to People Harbour of Sorong for your boat ride to Waisai. Boat schedule depart either on 9AM or 2PM. Arrive in Waisai, we will be driving approximately 30 minutes to our Resort.
Day 2: Raja Ampat Birding Tour (B.L.D)
Wakeup call on 4AM, then we will have early breakfast on 4:30 in the morning (early morning), around 05:00, we will bring you to visit the habitat of Wilson’s Bird of Paradise. To visit this habitat, you will do medium level trekking. Around 10:00 WIT, we will return to the resort. Lunch will be prepared at Resort. After lunch, around 3:00 PM, you will birding along the main path of Waigeo Island. Late afternoon, back to resort for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Raja Ampat Birding Tour (B.L.D)
Another early wakeup call on 4AM, then take your brekfast. On 5AM, we will be walking from the resort to the walking trail above the resort to see the Red Bird of Paradise. The walking approximately about 30 minutes with 10′-15′ climbing elevation. Around 10 AM, back to resort for rest and lunch. After lunch, we will be doing birding near the unused airport area. Late afternoon, back to resort for overnight.
(Optional) If you want to do a Birding Tour at night, you can see the habitat of frogmouths (Papuan Frogmouth and Marble Frogmouth), Papuan Bobook, and Hook-billed Kingfisher.
Day 4: Raja Ampat Birding Tour (B.L.D)
After breakfast, we will go out early morning and will be dropped off by a truck to the birds watching spots. It takes one hour to be around birding spots. The target of the trip is to go to see the Wilson Bird of Paradise. But also we will see the Red Bird of paradise are playing on the trees and singing around. On the way back you will also see some endemics and migrant birds. We will be back to the homestay in the day for lunch. After lunch we will drive to the another birds watching spot near by Waisai City. After watching birds and then we will drive back your accommodation for dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Waisai – Sorong Airport (B)
Breakfast at Resort. On 8 AM, we will be departing by boat to the Harbour of Waisai where we will take the fast boat back to People Harbour of Sorong. Arrive in Sorong, transfer to Airport for your flight for next destination.
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First you may check out some of the above sample Itinerary above and if you’re interested then we ask you to take a few minutes of your time to fill in the Reservation Form. From this form we learn about your preferences and will be able to arrange your very individual holiday. The schedule and the price of the whole trip will be sent to you by e-mail promptly. Study it very carefully and tell us if you want some changes to be made. We can help design the trips for you according to your age, capability, point of interests and any trips that meet your requirement with our flexible conditions.
Note: The above Itinerary can be combined with our Sulawesi Birding Tour if you have longer time to spend in Indonesia.
SULAWESI ISLAND
JAVA ISLAND
BORNEO ISLAND
WEST & EAST NUSA TENGGARA
MALUKU ISLAND
SUMATERA ISLAND
WEST PAPUA / IRIAN JAYA