Halmahera and West Papua Bird Photography
Explore Halmahera and West Papua on a 13-day birding tour featuring Ivory-breasted Pitta, Wallace's Standardwing, King Bird-of-Paradise, Wilson's Bird-of-Paradise and Red Bird-of-Paradise.
Trip Overview
Halmahera & West Papua Bird Photography Trip brings together the endemic birdlife
This 13-day Halmahera & West Papua Bird Photography Trip brings together the endemic birdlife of Halmahera with the spectacular Birds-of-Paradise of West Papua and Raja Ampat.
The journey begins in Ternate before crossing to Halmahera, where the route explores forests around Sidangoli, Jailolo, Binagara, Aketajawi-Lolobata, Gunung Roni and Subaim. The Halmahera section focuses on species such as Ivory-breasted Pitta, North Moluccan Pitta and Wallace's Standardwing, together with a wide range of Moluccan forest birds and nocturnal wildlife.
From Ternate, the expedition continues to Sorong and into the forests of Malagufuk before crossing to Waigeo Island in Raja Ampat. Here, the focus shifts toward some of New Guinea's most iconic birds, including King Bird-of-Paradise, Twelve-wired Bird-of-Paradise, Wilson's Bird-of-Paradise and Red Bird-of-Paradise.
Trip Highlights
- Search for Ivory-breasted Pitta from a dedicated forest hide.
- Search for North Moluccan Pitta around Halmahera.
- Visit Aketajawi-Lolobata National Park for Wallace's Standardwing Bird-of-Paradise.
- Explore Halmahera's forests and roadside habitats for endemic Moluccan birds.
- Search for Gurney's Eagle and Halmahera Goshawk.
- Experience night birding for Moluccan Scops-Owl, Large-tailed Nightjar and Halmahera Boobook.
- Search for Blue-eyed Cuscus around Ternate.
- Cross from Ternate to Sorong and continue into Malagufuk.
- Photograph King Bird-of-Paradise and Lesser Bird-of-Paradise.
- Search for Twelve-wired Bird-of-Paradise.
- Explore Waigeo Island in Raja Ampat.
- Photograph the spectacular Wilson's Bird-of-Paradise courtship display.
- Search for Red Bird-of-Paradise.
- Explore Waigeo for Papuan specialties including Raja Ampat Pitohui, Papuan Eclectus, Blyth's Hornbill and Rufous-bellied Kookaburra.
- Optional night walks for Papuan Boobook and Papuan Frogmouth.
Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Ternate, Sidangoli & Jailolo
Day 2: Jailolo, Sidangoli & Aketajawi-Lolobata National Park
Day 3: Aketajawi-Lolobata, Gunung Roni & Subaim
Day 4: Subaim, Gunung Uni-Uni & Buli Roadside
Day 5: Subaim, Gunung Roni, Sidangoli & Ternate
Day 6: Ternate, Sorong & Malagufuk
Day 7: Malagufuk
Day 8: Malagufuk to Sorong
Day 9: Sorong to Waigeo Island
Day 10: Wilson's Bird-of-Paradise & Red Bird-of-Paradise
Day 11: Waigeo Forest Birding
Day 12: Waigeo Forest, Waisai & Sorong
Day 13: Departure from Sorong
Halmahera and West Papua Bird Photography
Full Itinerary
Day 1 – Ternate, Sidangoli & Jailolo
Upon arrival in Ternate, cross to Sidangoli on Halmahera Island by speedboat, a journey of approximately one hour.
After lunch, continue to KM12 and hike to a forest hide for an opportunity to observe and photograph Ivory-breasted Pitta. The afternoon continues with roadside birding before an evening night-birding session for Moluccan Scops-Owl.
After the night session, continue by road for approximately one hour to Jailolo.
Overnight: Villa Gaba, Jailolo.
Day 2 – Jailolo, Sidangoli & Aketajawi-Lolobata National Park
Start early with a visit to a hide for North Moluccan Pitta. A second hide provides another opportunity for Ivory-breasted Pitta if the species was missed on Day 1.
Continue toward Binagara with roadside birding along the way. Possible targets include Goliath Coucal, Moluccan Cuckooshrike, Rufous-bellied Triller, Grey-headed Fruit-Dove and Halmahera Goshawk.
After lunch in Ekor, return to the homestay to organize equipment. Only a small daypack is needed for the next section of the expedition.
In the afternoon, hike approximately 1.5 hours through the forest to a riverside campsite. The area around Aketajawi-Lolobata has become an important location for observing Wallace's Standardwing Bird-of-Paradise, with the birds viewed from a dedicated platform.
Weather permitting, an evening night safari may also search for Wild Pig and Ornate Cuscus.
Overnight: Campsite.
Day 3 – Aketajawi-Lolobata, Gunung Roni & Subaim
Depart at approximately 04:30 and hike for around 1.5 hours to the Wallace's Standardwing viewing platform. The early morning is dedicated to observing and photographing displaying birds.
Around 08:00, return to the campsite, pack equipment and hike back toward Binagara for lunch.
After lunch, continue by road toward Gunung Roni, with roadside birding opportunities for Azure Dollarbird, Moluccan Imperial-Pigeon, Drab Whistler, Scarlet-breasted Fruit-Dove, Dusky Myzomela, Chattering Lory, Violet-necked Lory, Great-billed Parrot, Halmahera Flowerpecker, Gurney's Eagle and Halmahera Goshawk.
Continue to Subaim for a rest before an evening night-birding session targeting Large-tailed Nightjar and Halmahera Boobook.
Overnight: Wisma Kita Homestay, Subaim.
Day 4 – Subaim, Gunung Uni-Uni & Buli Roadside
Depart early and drive toward Gunung Uni-Uni before continuing birding along the Buli roadside.
The area offers another opportunity to photograph Chattering Lory, Violet-necked Lory, Red-flanked Lorikeet, Moluccan Hanging-Parrot, Great-billed Parrot, White Cockatoo, Scarlet-breasted Fruit-Dove, Dusky Scrubfowl and Gurney's Eagle.
After lunch, continue toward Gunung Uni-Uni and use the afternoon for another search for birds missed earlier in the expedition.
Overnight: Wisma Kita Homestay, Subaim.
Day 5 – Subaim, Gunung Roni, Sidangoli & Ternate
After breakfast, return toward Gunung Roni for another opportunity to search for species missed during the previous days.
Continue to Sidangoli and cross back to Ternate by speedboat or ferry.
In the evening, conduct a night safari around the Villa Marasai forest in search of Blue-eyed Cuscus.
Overnight: Villa Marasai, Ternate.
Day 6 – Ternate, Sorong & Malagufuk
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight from Ternate to Sorong.
Upon arrival in Sorong, continue by 4WD vehicle for approximately two hours to the parking area. From there, walk for approximately 1.5 hours along a wooden bridge to reach Malagufuk Village.
Birding takes place along the route, including an opportunity to search for Magnificent Riflebird from a hide.
After dark, head out for a search for nocturnal mammals.
Overnight: Homestay or local Papuan house in Malagufuk.
Day 7 – Malagufuk
Begin early and travel into the forest to a productive birding location.
The morning provides opportunities to observe and photograph King Bird-of-Paradise and Lesser Bird-of-Paradise, together with other forest species.
Overnight: Homestay or local Papuan house in Malagufuk.
Day 8 – Malagufuk to Sorong
Start early with another opportunity to photograph Twelve-wired Bird-of-Paradise.
Later in the day, travel back to Sorong.
Overnight: Vega Hotel, near the airport.
Day 9 – Sorong to Waigeo Island
Transfer early in the morning to Sorong harbor and take the ferry or fast boat to Waisai on Waigeo Island.
After arriving in Waisai, meet the local birding guide. Following lunch and a short rest, begin the first birding session around the surrounding forest and roadside areas.
Possible targets include Blyth's Hornbill, Papuan Eclectus, Great-billed Parrot, Coconut Lorikeet, Raja Ampat Pitohui and Rufous-bellied Kookaburra.
The afternoon also provides time to prepare for the following morning's early start.
Overnight: Korpak Villa & Resort.
Day 10 – Wilson's Bird-of-Paradise & Red Bird-of-Paradise
Depart well before sunrise and hike into the forest to reach the viewing hide for Wilson's Bird-of-Paradise.
The morning is dedicated to bird photography, with particular attention to the spectacular courtship display of the male Wilson's Bird-of-Paradise.
After returning for breakfast and a short rest, continue to another forest area to search for Red Bird-of-Paradise.
Depending on bird activity and local conditions, the afternoon can be dedicated to photographing Red Bird-of-Paradise and searching for other species.
Possible species include Papuan Pitta, Raja Ampat Pitohui, White-eared Catbird, Glossy-mantled Manucode, Golden Monarch, Frilled Monarch, Papuan Eclectus, Blyth's Hornbill, Great-billed Parrot, Coconut Lorikeet, Black-capped Lory and various fruit-doves.
If conditions permit, an evening night walk may target Papuan Boobook and Papuan Frogmouth.
Overnight: Korpak Villa & Resort.
Day 11 – Waigeo Forest Birding
Continue with another full birding day around the Waigeo forest areas, following the same focus on Wilson's Bird-of-Paradise, Red Bird-of-Paradise and the other Papuan specialties listed in the itinerary.
The extra time allows the expedition to work around bird activity and local conditions while providing additional opportunities for photography.
Overnight: Korpak Villa & Resort.
Day 12 – Waigeo Forest, Waisai & Sorong
Begin with another early-morning birding session to photograph target species that may have been missed during the previous days.
Depending on which species remain outstanding, revisit the Wilson's Bird-of-Paradise or Red Bird-of-Paradise areas.
Continue birding around forest edges and roadside habitats, searching for Beach Kingfisher, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Hook-billed Kingfisher, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Papuan Eclectus and Blyth's Hornbill.
After lunch, return to Waisai harbor and take the ferry or fast boat back to Sorong.
Overnight: Vega Hotel, near the airport.
Day 13 – Departure from Sorong
Transfer to Sorong Airport for your return flight.
End of the tour.