Central and North Sulawesi Birding
Explore Central Sulawesi and North Sulawesi on an 11-day birding tour featuring Hylocitrea, Great Shortwing, Sulawesi Pitta, endemic kingfishers, Maleo and more.
Trip Overview
From the Montane Forests of Lore Lindu to the Wildlife-Rich Forests of Tangkoko
Some of Sulawesi's most sought-after birds are found in places where the forest rises into the mountains, where mist hangs over the trees, and where a morning walk can reveal species found nowhere else.
This 11-day Lore Lindu and North Sulawesi Birding Tour connects two of the island's most rewarding birding regions. Beginning in Palu, the journey takes us into Lore Lindu National Park, where we spend several days exploring the forests around Tambing Lake and the famous Anaso Track. From there, we descend toward Donggala before flying north to explore Tangkoko, one of North Sulawesi's best-known birding and wildlife areas. The expedition finishes around Tomohon and Gunung Mahawu, with a final opportunity to search for some of the island's endemic species.
The route is designed around Sulawesi's remarkable endemic birdlife. In Lore Lindu, we search for species such as Hylocitrea, Great Shortwing, Geomalia, Sulawesi Thrush, Purple-bearded Bee-eater, Satanic Nightjar, and White-eared Myza. Further north, Tangkoko brings a different collection of birds and wildlife, including Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfisher, Sulawesi Lilac Kingfisher, Green-backed Kingfisher, Great-billed Kingfisher Knobbed Hornbill, and Sulawesi Pitta, together with opportunities for Spectral Tarsier, Bear Cuscus, and Celebes Crested Macaque.
This is an active birding trip with early starts, forest walks, roadside birding and several night-birding sessions. The journey also includes a visit to Tambun in Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park, where we look for the remarkable Maleo at its nesting grounds, before continuing to Tomohon and Gunung Mahawu.
Trip Highlights
- Explore the montane forests of
- Lore Lindu National Park
- Bird around the scenic
- Tambing Lake
- Hike the famous Anaso Track
- Search for the unusual Hylocitrea
- Look for Great Shortwing, Geomalia and Sulawesi Thrush
- Search for Satanic Nightjar at its daytime roost
- Explore the forests and mangroves around Donggala
- Search for the elusive Great-billed Kingfisher
- Spend two days exploring Tangkoko
- Search for three endemic kingfishers: Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfisher, Sulawesi Lilac Kingfisher and Green-backed Kingfisher
- Look for Knobbed Hornbill,
- Ornate Lorikeet and Azure-rumped Parrot
- Search for Spectral Tarsier, Bear Cuscus and Celebes Crested Macaque
- Explore Temboan Hills for forest birds and raptors
- Visit Tambun to search for the endemic Maleo
- Explore Gunung Mahawu and
- search for Scaly Kingfisher
- Search for Sulawesi Pitta around Tomohon
- Enjoy several dedicated night-birding sessions
Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Palu – Lore Lindu
Day 2: Birding Lore Lindu – Tambing Lake & Roadside
Day 3: Birding Lore Lindu – Anaso Track
Day 4: Lore Lindu – Donggala – Palu
Day 5: Donggala – Palu – Makassar – Manado – Tangkoko
Day 6: Birding Tangkoko
Day 7: Birding Tangkoko – Temboan Hills
Day 8: Tangkoko – Kotamobagu
Day 9: Kotamobagu – Tambun – Tomohon
Day 10: Tomohon – Gunung Mahawu
Day 11: Tomohon – Airport
Central and North Sulawesi Birding
Full Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Palu – Lore Lindu
Your birding journey begins at the airport in Palu, where our local guide will meet you before we drive approximately three to four hours toward Lore Lindu National Park.
Rather than waiting until the following morning to begin birding, we will take advantage of opportunities along the road as we approach the park.
After dinner, the first night-birding session introduces us to the nocturnal side of Sulawesi. We will search for Sulawesi Woodcock, Cinnabar Boobook, and Sulawesi Scops Owl.
Overnight: Nasional Lodge or similar accommodation near Lore Lindu National Park.
Day 2: Birding Lore Lindu – Tambing Lake & Roadside
Our first full day in Lore Lindu focuses on Tambing Lake and the surrounding roads.
This montane environment provides opportunities to search for Geomalia, Sulawesi Thrush, Purple-bearded Bee-eater, and other highland forest species.
Late in the evening, we leave the forest behind and visit nearby paddy fields in search of Eastern Grass Owl. The night continues with another session of nocturnal birding, this time looking for Sulawesi Masked Owl and Speckled Boobook.
Overnight: Nasional Lodge or similar accommodation near Lore Lindu National Park.
Day 3: Birding Lore Lindu – Anaso Track
An early start takes us onto the Anaso Track, one of Lore Lindu's most important birding trails.
We will hike along the trail while searching for some of the area's most interesting highland species. One of the major targets is the Satanic Nightjar, which we will hope to locate at its daytime roost.
Other possible targets include Sombre Pigeon, Red-eared Fruit-Dove, Hylocitrea, Purple-bearded Bee-eater, White-eared Myza, and other montane species.
After dark, we return to the forest for another night-birding session, giving us another opportunity to find owl species that may have escaped us earlier in the trip.
Overnight: Nasional Lodge or similar accommodation near Lore Lindu National Park.
Day 4: Lore Lindu – Donggala – Palu
We begin the morning with another birding session around Tambing Lake and the surrounding roads. This gives us additional time to look for species that may have remained elusive, including the highly sought-after Great Shortwing.
Afterward, we descend toward Palu and continue to Kabonga, where we search for Sulawesi Hornbill, White-necked Myna, Ashy Woodpecker, Sulawesi Pitta, and Sulawesi Nightjar.
Later, we continue to Donggala, where we have another opportunity to observe Sulawesi birds at their roosting sites.
After dinner, we return to Palu.
Overnight: Sutanraja Hotel, near Palu Airport.
Day 5: Donggala – Palu – Makassar – Manado – Tangkoko
This is an early and active travel day.
We depart at around 04:30, beginning with an opportunity to look for a nocturnal primate, described in the itinerary as an unidentified tarsier.
Birding then continues in the mangrove forest, where our targets include Great-billed Kingfisher, White-rumped Cuckooshrike, Sulawesi Roller, White-necked Myna, and Sulawesi Serpent-Eagle.
Around 09:00, we drive to the airport for our flight to Makassar, followed by a connecting flight to Manado. From Manado, we continue overland to Tangkoko, arriving in time to settle into our accommodation.
Overnight: Tangkoko Hill Villa or similar accommodation near the park.
Day 6: Birding Tangkoko
Today we begin exploring the remarkable forest of Tangkoko.
Our birding will focus on Green-backed Kingfisher, Sulawesi Lilac Kingfisher, Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfisher, Red-backed Thrush, Pied Cuckooshrike, Tabon Scrubfowl, Ornate Lorikeet, Minahasa Racquet-tail, Sulawesi Racquet-tail, Azure-rumped Parrot, Knobbed Hornbill, and other bird species.
Tangkoko is also important for wildlife beyond birds. During our time in the forest, we will search for Bear Cuscus, Spectral Tarsier, and Celebes Crested Macaque.
After dark, we return to the forest for a night-birding session targeting Minahasa Masked Owl.
Overnight: Tangkoko Hill Villa or similar accommodation near the park.
Day 7: Birding Tangkoko – Temboan Hills
We leave early at around 05:00 and drive toward Temboan Hills, where an elevated viewpoint gives us an opportunity to watch birds moving through the surrounding landscape.
Here we will look for Hanging Parrots, pigeons and doves, hornbills, mynas, and birds of prey.
Afterward, we return toward Batuputih Village and continue birding in the forest. We will make another effort to locate the Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfisher, along with any other species that may have been missed during the previous day's birding.
After dark, we go back into the field to search for Minahasa Masked Owl and Ochre-bellied Boobook.
Day 8: Tangkoko – Kotamobagu
After breakfast, we leave Tangkoko and begin the approximately 7–8 hour drive to Kotamobagu.
Although much of the day is spent travelling, we will take advantage of birding opportunities along the route whenever conditions allow.
Later in the evening, we visit a suitable location for another chance to observe Sulawesi Masked Owl, which may emerge from the canopy of a local church.
Overnight: Sutanraja Hotel, Kotamobagu.
Day 9: Kotamobagu – Tambun – Tomohon
We depart very early, around 04:00, for Tambun, part of Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park.
The main target of the morning is the remarkable Maleo, and we will visit its nesting grounds in the hope of observing this unique Sulawesi endemic.
With luck, there may also be an opportunity to see the elusive Blue-faced Rail. Other endemic species that may be encountered include Maroon-chinned Fruit-Dove, Black-billed Koel, Bay Coucal, and Sulawesi Malkoha.
Lunch will be served at the Park Ranger's house before we continue our journey toward Tomohon, with additional birding opportunities along the five- to six-hour drive.
Overnight: Villa Emitta, Tomohon.
Day 10: Tomohon – Gunung Mahawu
We leave at around 05:30 and drive up to Gunung Mahawu, one of the key birding locations around Tomohon.
Our main target is Scaly Kingfisher. Afterward, we walk to a hide where we have another opportunity to search for the elusive Sulawesi Pitta.
Birding continues along the roadside, where possible species include Sulawesi Myzomela, Grey-sided Flowerpecker, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker, Sulawesi Cuckoo-Dove, and Superb Fruit-Dove.
After lunch, we continue to Lake Linow, a striking sulphurous volcanic lake. Here we can enjoy the landscape while also looking for waterbirds.
Overnight: Villa Emitta, Tomohon.
Day 11: Tomohon – Airport
Our final morning gives us one last opportunity to explore Gunung Mahawu.
We will search again for Scaly Kingfisher and Sulawesi Pitta, particularly if either species remained elusive on Day 10.
After lunch, we transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
End of tour services.