Waigeo Birding

Birding destination Waigeo Barat Nature Reserve
Tour Summary
Day 1 Waigeo arrival – Resort
Day 2 Morning and afternoon birding
Day 3 Morning and Afternoon birding
Day 4 Morning birding and at 8 am transfer to the Harbour. End

Sample Itinerary
Day 1 Sorong - Waigeo
We sail at 2 PM for 2 hours by express boat to Waigeo/Waisai island. Upon arrival on Waigeo Island, you will be directly transferred to the resort and stay there for 3 nights. From the harbor to the resort takes around 30 30-minute drive or 15 minutes by car. In the afternoon, we can go birding around the village.

Day 2 Wilson’s Bird of Paradise in Waigeo
The island of Waigeo holds several species absent from the mainland, and these will form our focus here. Our primary target is to find the quite astounding Wilson’s Bird-of-paradise, a bird frequently cited as one of the most beautiful in the world. Using specially constructed hides, we will be able to photograph the birds as they visit their display grounds, completely oblivious to our admiring eyes. With good fortune, we will see the male in full action – calling and displaying vigorously to any females who enter his display arena. The bird is active from 5.45 to 8 AM, and then we will continue to search for other bird’s endemics along the roadside. Lunch will be at the resort. Late afternoon, we will do the roadside.

Day 3 Red Bird of Paradise in Waigeo
Breakfast at 4.30 AM and departure at 5 AM, drive about 30 minutes, and we need 15 minutes to walk to the hide. The bird is active from 6 to 7.30 AM

Day 4 Waigeo Birding– Sorong
We still have the morning to search for other birds endemic along the roadside, and at 9 am, we sail to Sorong, the End of our service

Keybirds in Waigeo

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.

Specialities

Other special bird species are: Dusky Megapode (forest, common), Blyth’s Hornbill (forest and gardens, common), Waigeo Shrikethrush (island endemic, forest and gardens, fairly common).

More nature

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.

Practical Info:

Minimum amount of days: 2 (3 nights).
Advised amount of days: 4 (5 nights).
Maximum amount of days: you can stay here for ever ;-).
Price level: $ pp/pd.
Needed level of fitness: Average, some hiking to the hides, comfortable accommodation.

Logistics:

Nearest airport: Sorong, connections to Jakarta, Manado and Nimbokrang.
Transport Sorong-Waideo: Ferry (2 hours).
Transport on the island: Private car and sometimes private boats.

Accommodation:

Korpak Villa & Resort Raja Ampat: Comfortable resort on the beach with a jungle garden with nice bird species

Combinations and extensions:

Good destinations to combine with Waigeo: Sorong, Malagufuk, Nimbokrang, Arfak, Sulawesi.

Waigeo is the ideal place to start or finish your trip and have a couple of days extra for relaxing or diving/snorkling.

Included:

Accommodations during the trip, Meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), Mineral water, Car transport for the group to all sites in the itinerary, Express public boat Sorong-Waigeo-Sorong, English Speaking Bird Guide, Entrances to Parks and Reserves, Local guides, Hide fee, Landowner fee (Hak Wilayah fee), and local park ranger.

Excluded:

All personal expenses that are not mentioned on the items above, domestic flight tickets, Camera/luggage porters in the jungle, Alcoholic beverages, Travel Insurance, Excursions not included in the tour itinerary, Extras in hotels such as laundry service, minibar, room service, telephone calls, Tips to drivers, local guides, and land owner, Personal items; medical fees; other items or services not specifically mentioned as being included, Any expenditures incurred due to flight cancellation/delays or other causes beyond our control.