Raja Ampat
Birding
5 Days & 4 Nights Trip
Birding in
Waigeo & Blue River
Waigeo Island is the biggest island of Raja Ampat, a region world famous for diving and marine biodiversity. The island was connected to the mainland of Western Papua until about 8000 years ago, so the biodiversity is a lot higher than what’s normal on more isolated islands. The friendly people live on the coast, while the inland is covered in pristine rain forest, full with exciting wildlife. The majority of tourists will be in the water, so you’ll have the forest mostly for yourself. You will be able to discover beautiful birds even in the backyard of your beachside resort and if you walk to the special hides that are prepared in the forest, some world class Birds of Paradise, Pitta’s and Pigeons are waiting for you. If you have time left, put on your snorkle to join the colorfull fishes and corals that are hidden under the surface. Waigeo is a true paradise for every nature lover.
Red Bird-of-Paradise: Absolutely stunning bird that is limited to Raja Ampat. Males gather together in traditional leks, where they impress the females with elongated feathers and vibrating colors. They are on bare perches high up in the tree, but with a hide that’s also high up, it’s possible to get good views and nice pictures of this birders’ favourite.
Wilson’s Bird-of-Paradise: Another incredible bird that you can’t find anywhere else on the world. By many birders it’s considered the most beautiful bird of the world. The bright blue cap, deep red back and blue curled tail feathers seem to be designed by a modern artist. With a bit of perseverance and luck you can see a male in full display.
Papuan Pitta: This beautifully coloured ground bird is a unexpected jewel at the bottom of the dark forest floor. Normally you have to be extremely lucky to see one, but in Waigeo we’ve got a hide prepared to attract them with deliceous worms, so we can have good views of them.
Waigeo Cuscus: Odd species of marsupial. with white fur and black spots. You can find them crawling through the trees in the forest and even in the gardens of the resorts. As it name says, it’s completely restricted to the Waigeo island.
Above the water you can further admire an enormous amount of butterflies, dragonflies, trees, flowers, ferns, beetles and other interesting living creatures. Under water you even have more biodiversity with 1000; species of fish, 75% of the world coral species and sharks, nudibranches and even manta rays.
Tour Itinerary :
Day 01. Sorong – Raja Ampat ( Sarpokreng Village )
Upon arrival at International Sorong Airport, proceed to catch your Ferry to Waisai, after arrive at Waisai, get your PIN ( Entrance ID ) and continue to Sarpokreng village. Upon arrival at Sarpokreng village, check in at your homestay and free afternoon, birding around the village and briefing. Dinner at your homestay.
Day 02. Birding in Sarpokreng ( Red BOP )
We will start walk out around 5/5:30am from your homestay to the Birding spot. The focused bird would be Red BOP but you will also have a chance to see some other birds like; Parrots, Lorikeets, Papuan Pitta, Blyth’s Hornbill, King Fisher, Dusky Megapode and many more. After morning birding, back to your homestay and have breakfast and wait for lunch. After lunch, we can do another birding up the old Airport and beyond. After all, back to your homestay, relaxing wait for dinner.
Day 03. Morning Birding – Blue River
We will do take another chance to do morning birding to the same spot for Red BOP or we can do the birding at different spot ( Flexible option ). Back for breakfast and packing and leave move to Blue river by car. After reach Wasarmbin village, we will use a long boat to cross to Blue River under mountains and Pristine rain forest at the river banks where you are going to stay and overnight stay. The rest of the day after lunch, we will do birding along side the rivers and around the forest. After all, on the way back we can jump into the famous of Blue River for swimming and retrun to your homestay. Dinner at your homestay. If you would like to do the night excrusion then we will do around and beyong to your homestay.
Note : Here you will have a chance to see Red BOP just infront of your homestay and around but also the Wilson;s BOP.
Day 04. Birding in Blue River ( Wilson’s BOP )
To see Wilson’s BOP, we will leave from homestay enter the pristine rainforest around 5am in the morning. It takes 1 hour moreless walk to reach the Wilson’s BOP spot. We will make sure, we will be at the Wilson’s BOP hidden spot around 6am, set up your camera and finding a perfect position. After birdwatching, we will return to your homestay for breakfast. While waiting for lunch time, we will do birding around your homestay and after lunch, we will use a long boat to do birding around the island. after all, back to your homestay and wait for dinner.
Day 05. Blue River – Sorong
Before, we return to Waisai, we will do another morning birding around your homestay and here, you will have a chance to see and watch the Red BOP display around your homestay. When the breakfast is ready, you will have breakfast, packing and return to Waisai to catch the Ferry to Sorong. Lunch will be served at down town in Waisai. Upon arrival in Sorong, proceed to your hotel and free afternoon, relaxing wait for dinner. dinner at the local resto.
Ends of BirdingTrips !