Biak Numfour Overview
Biak Island for the most localized endemism of any island in the West Papua (New Guinea) Region. Situated Between the Bird’s Head and the northern cape of the main body of western New Guinea, Geelvink (Cendrawasih) Bay features the oceanic Biak and Numfor islands.
Biak and Numfor islands are remarkable for their many endemic species such as Numfor Paradise Kingfisher, Biak Paradise Kingfisher, Biak Monarch, Biak Coucal, Elegant Imperial-Pigeon, Geelvink Pygmy-Parrot, Black-winged Lory, Biak Gerygone, Biak Whistler, Ochre-collared Monarch, Biak Flycatcher, Smoky Robin, Biak White-eye, Long-tailed Starling, and Moluccan Starling. Other species like Red-legged Brushturkey, Wattled Brushturkey, New Guinea Scrubfowl, Spotted Dove, New Guinea Bronzewing, Great Cuckoo-Dove, Pheasant Pigeon, Victoria Crowned-Pigeon, Pink-spotted Fruit-Dove, Zoe’s Imperial-Pigeon, Brush Cuckoo, Papuan Frogmouth, Papuan Nightjar, Papuan Spinetailed Swift and many more settled down in Biak Islands.
The bird region also includes Yapen Island, a land-bridge island with no endemic species but many endemic subspecies.
Price starts from:
USD / person (min 5-6 persons)
Included
4 Nights at the luxury hotel with 3 delicious meals a day, Private Car with fuel and good driver, experienced local bird guide, Entrance fee, Land Owner fee
Biak Numfour Birding 5D4N
Start and End Point: Biak Frans Kaisepo Airport
Day 1: Biak Arrival and Afternoon Birding
Arrive at Biak Frans Kaisepo Airport, meet service, and then transfer to Swissbel Hotel for check-in, and then prepare for Birding. Lunchtime, back to town, directly to a local restaurant. After lunch, transfer to the hotel to take a rest. Afternoon birding starts at 15.00 until 17.30, move elsewhere for Scops Owl. Late afternoon, head back into town and take an hour to have dinner at a local restaurant. After dinner, return to the hotel for stay and overnight. Meals: Lunch & Dinner (Local Restaurant)
Day 02 – 03: Full Days Birding
Early Morning at 05.00 am with a local guide by car to Bird Spot. Take a few minutes for breakfast and then continue for the trip. 2 Days for Biak Hooded Pitta, Biak Paradise Kingfisher, Biak Black Flycatcher, Biak Black Monarch & Golden Monarch…etc. Lunch and dinner at a local restaurant. Late afternoon, back to town. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast (On the spot) Lunch & Dinner (Local Restaurant)
Day 4: Biak Departure
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Biak Airport to catch your flight to the next destination.
Meals: Breakfast (Hotel)
The itinerary above is flexible depending on the local conditions such as weather, wave and the itinerary can be extended to Numfour Island with an extra cost.
Price Included: Transfer in / out: Airport – Hotel – Airport, Accommodation 3 Nites at SwissBel Hotel (Superior Room), Charter Coach during birding at Biak, Meals as indicated on the itinerary (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner), Mineral water during the trip, Entrance Fee and parking, Local Guide / Local Escort
Keybirds in Tangkoko
Sulawesi Lilac Kingfisher:
Unique forest Kingfisher, not easy to find, but if done (by our local guides) quite good to approach and often rewarding the clients with perfect views and photos. Male and female often sitting near each other, making it possible to see the subtle differences.
Sulawesi Dwarf-Kingfisher:
Tiny but splashy colored forest kingfisher. It has the size of a Tit, but once in sight the bright orange, purple and blue colors make it a favorite for many bird watchers.
Green-backed Kingfisher:
Endemic large and spectacular forest Kingfisher. Pairs often together resting on horizontal branches in the forest and with a bit of luck giving you perfect views and wonderful pictues.
White-necked Myna:
Peculiar endemic Myna with a very long tail and a big white breast-band. In the canopy of the forest and nearly impossible to see if you’re inside the forest. That’s why we go to a special place near the road with views of the forest edge, to scope these birds while they are gathering in dead branches in the early morning or late afternoon.
Knobbed Hornbill:
Absolutely spectacular huge Hornbill with black wings, a huge red-and-yellow casqued bill and bright blue throat colors. It’s endemic to the whole of Sulawesi, but Tangkoko is for sure one of the best places to see it.
Specialities
Other special bird species are: Philippine Megapode, White-faced Cuckoo-Dove, Black-naped Fruit-Dove, Silver-tipped Imperial-Pigeon, Bay Coucal, Sulawesi Nightjar, Sulawesi Hawk-Eagle, Spot-tailed Goshawk, Sulawesi Scops-Owl, Ochre-bellied Boobook, Sulawesi Hornbill, Great-billed Kingfisher, Ruddy Kingfisher, Purple-winged Roller, Ashy Woodpecker, Ornate Lorikeet, Sulawesi Hanging-Parrot, Pale-Blue Monarch, Sulawesi Babbler and Finch-billed Myna.
More nature
Biodiversity is very high in Tangkoko and birds are only a small part of what you can see. Of course it’s nearly impossible to miss Celebes Crested Macaque or Gursky’s Spectral Tarsier, but you’ve also got a good chance to see the marsupial Sulawesi Bear Cuscus. One of the most beautiful creatures is Blanchard’s Ghost, an enormous butterfly that flies through the forest like a ghost indeed. And if you don’t rush you will find more and more beautiful creatures hidden in the shadows of the deep forest.
Practical Info:
Minimum amount of days: 3 (2 nights).
Advised amount of days: 5 (4 nights).
Maximum amount of days: 6 (there is only one real entrance to the forest, so you walk in the same part every day).
Price Tangkoko 5 days 4 nights: US$ per person
Needed level of fitness: Average, there is some hiking involved to see the Kingfishers, accommodation is comfortable.
Logistics:
Nearest airport: Manado, connections to all Indonesian cities and Singapore.
Transport: From Manado to Tangkoko 1.5 hours with a private car and during the stay we walk, drive short distances with a private car and use a boat for a mangrove trip.
Accommodation:
Tangkoko Hill Cottages:
Cozy lodge with comfortable rooms, located on the edge of the park with a nice jungle garden and nice bird species.
Combinations and extensions:
Good destinations to combine with Tangkoko: Manado, Tomohon, Dumago Bone, Lore Lindu and Waigeo.
Practical Info:
Minimum amount of days: 3 (2 nights).
Advised amount of days: 5 (4 nights).
Maximum amount of days: 6 (there is only one real entrance to the forest, so you walk in the same part every day).
Price Tangkoko 5 days 4 nights: US$ per person
Needed level of fitness: Average, there is some hiking involved to see the Kingfishers, accommodation is comfortable.
Logistics:
Nearest airport: Manado, connections to all Indonesian cities and Singapore.
Transport: From Manado to Tangkoko 1.5 hours with a private car and during the stay we walk, drive short distances with a private car and use a boat for a mangrove trip.
Accommodation:
Tangkoko Hill Cottages:
Cozy lodge with comfortable rooms, located on the edge of the park with a nice jungle garden and nice bird species.
Combinations and extensions:
Good destinations to combine with Tangkoko: Manado, Tomohon, Dumago Bone, Lore Lindu and Waigeo.
