Tangkoko Birding Tour

Birding in Tangkoko Nature Reserve and the Minahasa Highlands

North Sulawesi is one of Southeast Asia’s hidden gems for birdwatchers. From the lowland rainforest of Tangkoko Nature Reserve to the cool montane forests of the Minahasa Highlands, this region offers an unforgettable experience for birders of all levels.

🦜 Tangkoko Nature Reserve: Lowland Birding Paradise

Located near Bitung, about 90 minutes from Manado, Tangkoko Batuangus Nature Reserve covers over 8,700 hectares of pristine lowland rainforest. The reserve is famous for its biodiversity, not just mammals like tarsiers and macaques, but especially for its incredible variety of birds.

Collared Kingfisher

Top Birds to Watch in Tangkoko:

• Green-backed Kingfisher – Sulawesi endemic, commonly seen in the lowland forest canopy.
• Knobbed Hornbill – A majestic symbol of Sulawesi’s wildlife.
• Lilac Kingfisher – Colorful and often seen in forested ravines.
• Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfisher – Tiny and elusive, a treat to spot near streams.
• White-necked Myna – Elegant and vocal, seen in open areas and tree tops.

Early morning walks with a local guide increase your chances of spotting these incredible species. The lush forest, morning light, and bird calls create an unforgettable birding atmosphere.

🏞️ Minahasa Highlands: Highland Species in a Scenic Setting

The Minahasa Highlands, just south of Manado, offer cooler temperatures and a unique bird community. Volcanic peaks like Mount Mahawu and the agricultural landscapes around Tomohon and Sonder make this region perfect for montane and open-area birding.

Some birds in Minahasa Highland; Black-naped Oriole, Japanese White-eye, White-breasted Woodswallow, Pale Blue Monarch, Crimson Sunbird, Collared Kingfisher, Sooty-headed Bulbul

Bird Highlights in the Highlands:

• Scaly-breasted Kingfisher – A rarely seen species that lives in dense montane forests.
• Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher – A stunning blue bird commonly found in the undergrowth.
• Crimson Sunbird – Nectar-feeding beauty with brilliant red and green plumage.
• Sulawesi Hanging Parrot – Often seen in flocks, feeding on fruiting trees.
• Black-naped Oriole – Bright and melodic, often in forest edges and gardens.

The best times to go birding are just after sunrise or late afternoon, when birds are most active. You’ll also enjoy breathtaking views of mountains and valleys while listening to the songs of highland species.

🧭 Travel Tips for Birders

• Best season: May to October (dry season)
• Essentials: Binoculars, field guide/app, lightweight clothing, insect repellent
• Local guides: Highly recommended for identifying bird calls and finding rare species
• Accommodation: Eco-lodges in Tangkoko and guesthouses in Tomohon or Sonder

🌿 Final Thoughts

Whether you're an experienced birder or just curious about Sulawesi’s wildlife, a visit to Tangkoko Nature Reserve and the Minahasa Highlands will be a highlight of your Indonesian journey. With their rich mix of endemic species and dramatic landscapes, these destinations offer some of the best birdwatching in all of Southeast Asia.

Have you been birding in Sulawesi? Planning a trip?

Share your experiences or questions in the comments below! 🐦👇

Need help planning your trip? Please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.

Also read: 

• Birdwatching and Photography Tour in Minahasa Highland

Explore Sorong City

Sorong is the capital city of Papua Barat Daya (South West Papua) Province of Indonesia. It is the main gate for visitors who travel to Raja Ampat islands and Tambrauw mountains. For visitors who have extra 1 or 2 days in this city, they can explore the nature of the city or the streets and alleyways of Sorong and meet its people. The first place that I highly recommend to visit is Dom island. It is just around 10 minutes by water taxi. There are old houses and buildings in Doom. Doom is a small island with quite crowded population. 

Explore Sorong City and Its Surrounding

Doom used to be the administrative center of the Dutch. When Indonesia officially took over the control of West Papua on 1 May 1963, the administrative center was relocated to main Sorong city. 

Visitors could see old Dutch buildings mixed with houses of peoples in Doom island. There are fishermen's boats, water taxi and other marine vehicles which visitors could see in Doom. 

In addition to Doom, visitors can visit traditional markets that exist in Sorong to see various kinds of goods that people buy and sell in the market. 

For anyone who wants to have a good look Sorong city from a high point, the recommended site is Malanu hill. Visitors need to walk to reach the viewpoint. 

Birding in the forest near Sorong city

Another interesting place which tourists can visit is mangrove forest. It is the habitat of various species of birds including Olive-backed Sunbird, Sacred Kingfisher, Brown-backed Honeyeater, White-bellied Cuckooshrike, Orange-fronted Fruit Dove, and White-breasted Woodswallow. To enjoy birdwatching, visitors need to bring binoculars or cameras with telephoto lens. 

Visitors who like singing can visit karaoke parlours and sing with friends or accompanied by special attendants that are provided by the karaoke parlours. There is also cafe at the top of a hotel where visitors can enjoy having tea or coffee while looking at the cityscape or the night's sky of the city. 

Visitors who are interested in culture can go to places like the Christ the King Cathedral of Sorong city to see its unique architectural design that is inspired by the bower structure of Vogelkop Bowerbird. Male Vogelkop Bowerbird decorates his bower with flowers, moss and other colorful articles to attract his female mating partner.

Cathedral Church Christ the King in Sorong city

If you are interested in exploring Sorong city and want me to organize your tour and guide you, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180. 

Birding and Snorkeling in Raja Ampat

I have organized numerous birding, wildlife-watching, snorkeling and sightseeing trips in Raja Ampat, Sorong and Tambrauw for visitors who are interested in seeing the biodiversity of rainforest and coral reef ecosystem of these regencies. 

Eclectus Parrot

Near Sorong city, visitors could watch Willie Wagtail, Olive-backed Sunbird, Orange-fronted Sunbird, Sacred Kingfisher, Brown-backed Honeyeater, White-bellied Cuckooshrike, and White-breasted Woodswallow.  Sometimes introduced species from other islands in Indonesia could be seen in the sub-urban area of Sorong. They are the birds that escaped from cages of city dwellers. Some of them include Spotted Dove, Scaly-breasted Munia, and etc. 

When we go deeper into the forest of Sorong regency, we will be able to watch more interesting birds including Golden Myna, Yellow-faced Myna, Boyer's Cuckooshrike, Lowland Peltop, Black-sided Robin, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Helmetted Friarbird and a lot more.

Rainbow Bee-eater

I always combine the rainforest birding tour in Raja Ampat with sightseeing and snorkeling tour. The birds that can be seen in this island include White-bellied Cuckooshrike, Red-cheeked Parrot, Shining Flycatcher, Blyth's Hornbill, Eclectus Parrot, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra and a lot more. For snorkeling, marine creatures that can be seen include Christmas Tree Worm, Anemone, Sea Urchin, and various kinds of reef fish. Visitors should bring their own snorkeling gear.  There are hotels, beach resort and homestays in Sorong and Raja Ampat. I could arrange your accommodation during the tour. 

Anemonefish

The entry point for taking this tour is Sorong city. You could fly from your country to Jakarta or Denpasar Bali and then continue your flight to Sorong city. I could meet you at the airport or hotel of Sorong and then organize your trip around this region.

Flight Route to Sorong City

Please, contact me (Charles Roring) by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com

Also read:

• Raja Ampat Snorkeling Trip

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Birdwatching in the Forest of Sansapor

Sansapor is a small coastal town in Tambrauw regency. It is a great destination for visitors who like to explore tropical rainforest to watch birds and other animals. Birds such as Blyth's Hornbill, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Palm Cockatoo, Hooded Butcherbird, Mimic Meliphaga, Black-capped Lory, Eclectus Parrot, Western-crowned Pigeon and a lot more can be watched in Sansapor. The same forest is also the habitat of snakes, soa-soa monitor lizard and colourful butterflies. 

Palm Cockatoo

Golden Myna

Visitors who are interested in watching birds and wildlife in Sansapor need at least 4 to 6 days of their holiday in Tambrauw regency. Between April and September, the sea of Sansapor is quite calm, it is a favorable time to enjoy snorkeling. Coral reef of Sansapor is the natural habitat of anemonefish, parrotfish, surgeonfish, butterflyfish, and etc.

Underwater picture from Sausapor

After spending a few days in Sansapor, visitors can continue their trip to Fef town in Tambrauw regency where they can watch Lesser Birds of paradise, Emperor Fairywren, Sacred Kingfisher, Yellow-faced Myna, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Papuan Mountain Pigeon, Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Long-billed Cuckoo, and etc.

During the Pacific War, the American forces built military base in Amsterdam and Middleburg islands as well as the airtrips in Sansapor to fight the Imperial Japanese Forces in the region. Now the Sansapor town is a peaceful town and is a suitable destination for visitors who like to spend their holiday in tropical beach of West Papua.

Accommodation

There is a beach resort that visitors can choose to stay during their birdwatching and snorkeling trip in Sansapor.

Beach Resort in Sansapor

If you are interested in traveling to Sansapor and want me to organize your trip and guide you, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.

Wildlife Watching in Susnguakti Forest of Manokwari

There are a lot of places in West Papua province of Indonesia where visitors can go to watch Birds of Paradise, possum, monitor lizard and butterflies. 

One of them is Susnguakti forest in Manokwari regency. Visitors usually spend 3 days/ 2 nights in a basecamp that is built for visitors. 

Lesser Birds of Paradise in Susnguakti forest of Manokwari

During the day, they can walk in the jungle to find such birds as Common Paradise Kingfisher, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Black-billed Fruit Dove, Eclectus Parrot, Golden Cuckooshrike, Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Blyth's Hornbill, King Bird of Paradise, Magnificent Riflebird, and Lesser Birds of Paradise. 

Butterflies such as Silky Owl Butterfly, Cruiser Butterfly, and Blue Mountain Swallowtail butterfly can also be watched in the forest. 

Cuscus Possum in Susnguakti forest

Staying in the forest of Susnguakti, visitors can do night walk to watch Cuscus Possum, Papuan Forest Dragon and various kinds of insects. 

Visitors need to bring binoculars, flashlight and camera for the wildlife watching tour in Susnguakti forest of Manokwari.

For further info, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com.