Sulawesi and Halmahera Birding
Explore Sulawesi and Halmahera on a 19-day bird photography trip covering Lore Lindu, Tangkoko, Bogani Nani Wartabone, Gunung Mahawu and Aketajawi-Lolobata.
Trip Overview
The bird expedition crosses to Sulawesi and Halmahera
This 19-day Sulawesi & Halmahera Bird Photography Trip brings together two of Indonesia's most rewarding birding regions in one carefully planned expedition. The journey begins in South Sulawesi before moving through the highland forests of Lore Lindu, the lowland rainforest of Tangkoko, the landscapes around Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park and the highlands of Gunung Mahawu.
The second half of the expedition crosses to Halmahera, where the focus shifts to Moluccan endemics and some of the region's most sought-after birds, including Ivory-breasted Pitta, North Moluccan Pitta and Wallace's Standardwing.
Designed for small groups of 2–4 participants, the itinerary combines dedicated bird photography with flexible opportunities to revisit missed species and make the most of changing field conditions.
Trip Highlights
- Photograph endemic birds
- across South, Central and North Sulawesi.
- Explore Lore Lindu National Park, one of Sulawesi's key highland birding areas.
- Search for Sulawesi endemics including Sulawesi Thrush, Hylocitrea, Great Shortwing and Sulawesi Pitta.
- Spend dedicated photography time in Tangkoko with kingfishers, hornbills, parrots, owls, pigeons and endemic passerines.
- Visit Tambun in Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park for Maleo.
- Explore Gunung Mahawu for highland specialties including Scaly Kingfisher and Sulawesi Pitta.
- Cross to Halmahera and explore Aketajawi-Lolobata and the surrounding forests.
- Photograph Ivory-breasted Pitta and North Moluccan Pitta from hides.
- Visit a viewing platform for Wallace's Standardwing.
- Include nocturnal sessions for owls, nightjars and selected mammals.
Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Makassar
Day 2: Makassar to Lore Lindu
Day 3: Tambing Lake and Lore Lindu Forest
Day 4: Anaso Track
Day 5: Lore Lindu to Donggala and Palu
Day 6: Donggala to Manado and Tangkoko
Day 7: Full Day Tangkoko Bird Photography
Day 8: Temboan Hills and Mangrove Boat Trip
Day 9: Tangkoko to Kotamobagu
Day 10: Tambun and Maleo
Day 11: Molibagu Roadside Birding
Day 12: Kotamobagu to Tomohon and Gunung Mahawu
Day 13: Gunung Mahawu and Manado
Day 14: Manado to Ternate, Sidangoli and Jailolo
Day 15: North Moluccan Pitta and Wallace’s Standardwing
Day 16: Wallace’s Standardwing and Gunung Roni
Day 17: Gunung Uni-Uni and Buli
Day 18: Subaim to Ternate
Day 19: Departure from Ternate
Sulawesi and Halmahera Birding
Full Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in Makassar
Arrive in Makassar and settle in. If time permits, the first bird photography session takes place around Rammang-Rammang or Leang-Leang, with opportunities for Black-headed Kingfisher and Black-ringed White-eye. A visit to Karaenta Forest may also provide a chance to photograph Moor Macaques. Overnight at Dalton Hotel.
Day 2 – Makassar to Lore Lindu
An early 04:00 departure takes the group to Karaenta Forest to search for Black-headed Kingfisher, Sulawesi Hornbill and Piping Crow, along with Sulawesi Brown Flycatcher if required. Around 10:00, transfer to the airport for the flight from Makassar to Palu. From Palu, continue by road for approximately 3–5 hours toward Lore Lindu. If time permits, bird around Tambing Lake for Geomalia, Sulawesi Drongo, Meyer’s Lorikeet, Cerulean Cuckooshrike, Fiery-browed Myna, Hoevell’s Warbling-Flycatcher, Ivory-backed Woodswallow and Dark-eared Myza. A night session may target Cinnabar Boobook and Speckled Boobook. Overnight at Nasional Lodge.
Day 3 – Tambing Lake and Lore Lindu Forest
Spend the day birding around Tambing Lake and nearby forest roads. Target species include Sulawesi Thrush, Sulawesi Goshawk, Purple-bearded Bee-eater, Pygmy Cicadabird, Sulawesi Jungle-Flycatcher, Red-eared Fruit-Dove, Maroon-backed Whistler, Sulphur-bellied Whistler and Hylocitrea. In the evening, search for Eastern Grass Owl and Sulawesi Masked Owl.
Day 4 – Anaso Track
Explore the Anaso Track, concentrating on highland specialties such as Hylocitrea, Purple-bearded Bee-eater, Sulawesi Thrush, White-eared Myza, Grey-headed Imperial-Pigeon and Sombre Pigeon. The track also offers an opportunity to photograph Satanic Nightjar at its daytime roost. The afternoon can be used to revisit missed species, including Geomalia.
Day 5 – Lore Lindu to Donggala and Palu
Continue roadside birding around Tambing Lake before travelling toward Palu and Donggala. Target species include Great Shortwing, Sulawesi Heleia, Warbling White-eye, Black-crowned White-eye, Turquoise Warbling-Flycatcher, Citrine Canary-Flycatcher, Black Sunbird and Sulawesi Cicadabird. There is also an opportunity for tarsier photography around Palu. Overnight at Anna Jazz Hotel.
Day 6 – Donggala to Manado and Tangkoko
Morning birding in Donggala targets Sulawesi Myna, Sulawesi Roller, Pale Blue Monarch, Sulawesi Crow and Pale-headed Munia. Continue to Palu for the flight via Makassar to Manado, followed by approximately 1.5 hours by road to Tangkoko. Overnight at Tangkoko Hill Villa.
Day 7 – Full Day Tangkoko Bird Photography
A full day is dedicated to bird photography and wildlife observation in Tangkoko. The extensive target list includes Green-backed Kingfisher, Sulawesi Lilac Kingfisher, Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfisher, Great-billed Kingfisher, Ashy Woodpecker, Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker, Red-backed Thrush, Ochre-bellied Boobook, Pied Cuckooshrike, White-rumped Cuckooshrike, White-necked Myna, Grosbeak Myna, Sulawesi Myna, Sulawesi Hanging-Parrot, Pygmy Hanging-Parrot, Minahasa Racquet-tail, Sulawesi Racquet-tail, Azure-rumped Parrot, Ornate Lorikeet, Grey-cheeked Green-Pigeon, White-bellied Imperial-Pigeon, Silver-tipped Imperial-Pigeon, White-faced Cuckoo-Dove, Stephan’s Dove, Sulawesi Hawk-Eagle, Sulawesi Serpent-Eagle, Spot-tailed Goshawk, Knobbed Hornbill, Sulawesi Roller, Sulawesi Hornbill, Sulawesi Nightjar, Sulawesi Masked Owl and Minahasa Masked Owl. Mammal opportunities include Sulawesi Crested Macaque, Spectral Tarsier, Sulawesi Dwarf Squirrel and Bear Cuscus. Overnight at Tangkoko Hill Villa.
Day 8 – Temboan Hills and Mangrove Boat Trip
Explore the Temboan Hills and take an outrigger boat through the mangrove forest. Photography opportunities include Great-billed Kingfisher and White-rumped Cuckooshrike. Return to Tangkoko Hill Villa.
Day 9 – Tangkoko to Kotamobagu
Continue birding around Temboan before travelling approximately 5–6 hours toward Kotamobagu, close to Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park. Overnight at Sutanraja.
Day 10 – Tambun and Maleo
Depart at approximately 04:00 for the 1.5-hour journey to Tambun. The main objective is Maleo, with additional opportunities for other forest birds. Return to Kotamobagu and overnight at Sutanraja.
Day 11 – Molibagu Roadside Birding
Begin early at approximately 04:30 for roadside birding around Molibagu. The day provides additional opportunities to search for species missed earlier in the expedition. Overnight at Sutanraja.
Day 12 – Kotamobagu to Tomohon and Gunung Mahawu
Depart around 07:00 for the approximately six-hour journey to Tomohon. Explore the highland habitat around Gunung Mahawu for local specialties. A night session targets Diabolical Nightjar. Overnight at Villa Emitta.
Day 13 – Gunung Mahawu and Manado
Morning birding around Gunung Mahawu focuses on Sulawesi Pitta and Scaly Kingfisher before continuing to Manado. Overnight at Novotel.
Day 14 – Manado to Ternate, Sidangoli and Jailolo
Fly from Manado to Ternate with Wings Air. From Ternate, take a speedboat for approximately one hour to Sidangoli. Continue to KM12 for a hide session targeting Ivory-breasted Pitta, followed by roadside birding. In the evening, search for Moluccan Scops-Owl before continuing to Jailolo. Overnight at Villa Gaba.
Day 15 – North Moluccan Pitta and Wallace’s Standardwing
Start early with a hide session for North Moluccan Pitta, followed by a second hide for Ivory-breasted Pitta. Continue to Binagara for roadside birding, targeting Goliath Coucal, Moluccan Cuckooshrike, Rufous-bellied Triller, Grey-headed Fruit-Dove and Halmahera Goshawk. After lunch at Ekor, hike approximately 1.5 hours through the forest to a riverside campsite. Continue to the Wallace’s Standardwing viewing platform. Weather permitting, a night safari may target Wild Pig and Ornate Cuscus.
Day 16 – Wallace’s Standardwing and Gunung Roni
Depart at 04:30 for the 1.5-hour hike to the Wallace’s Standardwing viewing platform. Return to camp around 08:00, pack and hike back toward Binagara. After lunch, continue along Gunung Roni with roadside 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. A night session may target Large-tailed Nightjar and Halmahera Boobook. Overnight at Wisma Kita.
Day 17 – Gunung Uni-Uni and Buli
Early roadside birding around Gunung Uni-Uni and Buli targets 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. Overnight at Wisma Kita.
Day 18 – Subaim to Ternate
Travel from Subaim through Gunung Roni and Sidangoli toward Ternate, using the day to search for missed species. Continue by speedboat or ferry to Ternate. In the evening, a night safari near Villa Marasai offers a chance to photograph Blue-eyed Cuscus. Overnight at Villa Marasai.
Day 19 – Departure from Ternate
Transfer to Ternate Airport and fly home, marking the end of the Sulawesi & Halmahera Bird Photography Tour.