West Papua
Birding DestinationsWest Papua is the Indonesian part of the mystereous enormous island that’s home to the most beautiful and weird creatures on earth.
In the vast unspoilt forests live the incredible Birds-of-Paradise, on the wish list of every birder and nature lover. But also an enormous amount of endemic kingfishers, bowerbirds, fruit-doves, frogmouths, parrots and honey-eaters are awaiting you.
The infrastructure and security has improved a lot, so visiting the area is no longer a exhausting and risky expedition (altough not an easy ride either). Visiting West Papua is a once in a lifetime experience and on the wish list of every serious and not so serious birder.
Birding destinations in West Papua
Nimbokrang
Nimbokrang Nimbokrang is a transmigration settlement only 2 hours drive away from Jayapura in West Sentani. It's a good base for exploring the bird-rich lowland alluvial forest of the Cyclops Mountains. The forest directly around Nimbokrang has been clearded for...
Arfak
Arfak Arfak is by many birders known as the best birding location in West Papua. Because it's situated in the mountains, the species here are almost completely different from other places that are located in lowlands and foothills. Birds don't come easy here in the...
Malagufuk
Malagufuk Malagufuk is a small village inland in lowland forest and it has become famous with bird watchers. It's both easy to reach (only 1.5 hour by car from Sorong) and very remote (3.5 hours of walking from the car to the village). The small community has put up a...
Fak Fak
Fak fak Fak fak is a small town on the coast in one of the least visited areas of West Papua. All human life is concentrated on the coast, so the vast forests inland are mostly unspoilt. From Fak fak it's relatively easy to visit excellent lowland and foothill forests...
WAIGEO
Waigeo 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...
