West Papua

14 – 30 November 2025

West Papua

14 – 30 November 2025

Price: ~~79.800 kr~~
NEW PRICE! 74 800 SEK. (Excl. International flights)
Single room supplement: t.b.a

Twelve-wired BoP / Red BoP / King BoP / Magnificent BoP / Wilson’s BoP / Long-tailed Paradigala / Black Sicklebill / Magnificent Riflebird / Western- och Victoria Crowned Pigeon / Palm Cockatoo / Moluccan King-Parrot

West Papua – an expedition for the adventurous

New Guinea is an island the size of a continent (second largest after Greenland) and an island where evolution went bazurk and created an amazing diversity of species. No less than 400 bird species on New Guinea are endemic. And on top of all the amazing birds like bowerbirds, cassuaries, kingfishers, parrots and crowned pigeons are of course the biggest attraction of them all – the Birds of Paradise. Not just colorful (mostly) and special, but several of them also with amazing courtship displays. A dream for many birders to experience.

On this tour we will birdwatch in legendary bird areas like Nimbokrang, the Arfak mountains and the Raja Ampat archipelago with the island Waigeo as our base. We also spend a few nights in a small, remote village called Malagufuk, where birds are very present and several hard-to-see Papuan species among Kingfishers and Birds-of-Paradise will be easier to see than in most other areas.

Have a look at one of our trip reports!

Species

The most extraordinary birds on Papua are of course the Birds-of-Paradise. We will see some of the most charismatic species on West Papua, like Twelve-wired BoP, Red BoP, King BoP, Magnificent BoP and Wilson’s BoP, Long-tailed Paradigala, Black Sicklebill, Magnificent Riflebird and several others. We have the chance of seeing no less than 15 of the Birds of Paradise that exist on the globe. On top of that we will se quite a few extraordinary Pigeons (Western- and Victoria Crowned Pigeons, several Fruit-doves and Imperial Pigeons) Parrots like Papuan Eclectus, Palm Cockatoo, Moluccan King-Parrot, and others.

We will also see birds like Kingfishers, Pittas, Hornbils and several Passerines that are not represented elsewhere in the world. Many of the bird families here are endemic or very local, such as Bowerbirds, Cassowaries, Brushturkeys, Melampittas, Whistlers, Boatbills, Berryhunters, Satinbirds or Logrunners.

Other species

The mammal fauna of Papua is interesting and unique, although mammals are mainly nocturnal and hard to come across. More easy to see and enjoy are all the large and colorful butterflies that surely is a part of the attraction here. In the rich and clear waters of the Raja Ampat archipelago the marine life is also worth a closer look with all the colorful fish and we will have time to do some snorkling for those who like.

For whom?

For the adventurous birdwatcher (with a camera). Traveling and birding on Papua is a challenge because of the heat and humidity. It´s an advantage to have previous experience from the tropics and hot climate. Most days we start early or very early to be out in the habitats at dawn, sometimes in hides or view-points a bit into the rainforest, to where we have to walk, often on muddy trails. During the hottest ours (11-14) we enjoy a rest indoors, we have lunch and maybe a shower before we head out again in the afternoon-evening. Be prepared for a couple of longer trail walks, other days we almost don´t have to walk at all or just on a broad forest road. Some days are mostly spent in hides. Hides are primitive compared to Europe but usually delivers.

Season and time

Most of the yearly rain falls on Papua between March and May, the temperature is very even through the year. June to November is regarded as the best time to see the birds. The Birds-of-Paradise are most active during this period as well but display throughout the year.

Freedom of choice

Although there is not much ”spare time” on this tour, it´s always your choice to participate on the excursions or not. When we stay several days on the same lodge there´s more free time. On Waigeo we stay close to the beach in a very relaxing environment where there should be time for snorkling or just relaxing as well.

Habitats

Most of the time on this tour we will stay in lowland rainforest. Huge, unspoilt areas where the forest is dense and the biodiversity is impressive. We also pass through manmade habitats with plantations and farmlands where species are not as many but different. Up in the Arfak mountains we meet tropical cloud-forest. A unique habitat characterised by regular precipitation and amazing flora and fauna. In the Raja Ampat-archipelago we will be embraced by the relaxing, paradisic coastal environment with crystal clear water, coral reefs with plenty of fish and coralls. Naturally the islands holds their unique bird species as well.

Climate

Count on hot and humid climate, especially in the lowlands. Showers of rain are not unusual but do not last for very long. Up in the Arfak mountains climate is much cooler, air is fresh and it can even get a bit chilly at night, days are still warm-hot though.

Traveling and route

We fly to Jakarta – the capitol of Indonesia – and spend a day here to acclimitize. From here a domestic flight will take us to Jayapura to spend a few days in the northeast west Papua around Nimbokrang and it´s steaming lowland rainforest. On the second leg of the tour we fly from Jayapura to Manokwari. From here we will drive 4×4-jeeps to our next base, the small village Siyoubri in the Arfak-mountains. The habitat here is much more undulated and one longer walk uphill is required to see the higher altitude species. A few days later we fly once more to the town Sorong and drive out to the eco village Malagufuk. Last we take the ferry to the island Waigeo, where we spend the last part of the tour by the beach in a relaxing paradisic environment.

Food and accommodation

Mostly we stay in local guesthouses, lodges or homestays where we share a couple of rooms with shared facilities. In the Arfak mountains we spend one night in a tent camp on 2.000 meters. In the eco village Malagufuk lodging is very basic. On Waigeo we stay at a comfortable resort with AC next to the beach and coral reefs and snorkling nearby. Between the destinations there will be a few nights in good standard hotels with laundry-service and wi-fi, which can be poor or absent out on the destinations.

Food on the lodges/ homestays will be mainly Indonesian, basic but rich. The base of many meals consist of nasi goreng, meaning fried rice with vegetables, often chicken or some pork or beef. Fruit is widely available and many of them are not available in Europe, By the coast the menues are more based on seafood.

Local guides

We always use local guides on our tours to West Papua. A local tour leader will be leading the whole tour and local guides will team up on the destinations as well.

Hardships

This tour is comparatively challenging with some walks on muddy trails, or rouge terrain, basic accommodation, biting insects, hot, sticky days and even cold nights. The bird watching is known to be among the most challenging with birds hiding in all the greenery. But all this will be compensated by days with fantastic views on some of the most amazing birds on the planet.

Practical information

The tour is a co-operation between Birdsafarisweden and Wildnature Photo tours

When: 14 – 30 november 2025

Price: ~~79.800 kr~~ NEW PRICE! 74 800 SEK. (Excl. International flights)
Single room supplement: t.b.a

Note! We reserve the right to adjust the price if local costs or currency fluctuations justify it. Minor adjustments to the start and end times of the trip may sometimes be necessary.

What’s included:
Full board in double rooms at hotels, swedish & english speaking) tour leader, local guide throughout, all transportation, all entrance fees to nature reserves and parks.

Not included:
Flight ticket, Transfer to the airport in Sweden, insurance (Note! The European Health Insurance Card is not valid here. Participants are required, as usual, to have travel insurance against accidents and illness.), alcohol, souvenirs, and other personal expenses, tips for local guides/drivers.

Registration fee
When you have registered, we will send you an invoice for the registration fee, which is 20% of the total price of the trip. Once it is paid, you are guaranteed a place on the tour.

Participants: min 6 – max 10.

Tour leader: Bengt Legnell + local guides.

You will receive a lot of of useful information regarding clothing and gear once you have booked the tour. A few things good to know already when you consider booking:

A general good health and normal fitness is recommended to enjoy this tour.
Cameras, binoculars and other electronic devices kan be affected by the humidity so very good to bring or pack stuff in water-resistant bags and protection, also a rain-proof cover for the rucksack.
All travellers are required to consult their personal/ local doctor to get advise before the tour. Since the climate is hot be aware that food hygiene is very important to consider during the tour. Tap water is usually not safe to drink.
Make sure your vaccinations are updated well in time before the tour. Consult your doctor or vaccine-station to get advise. Hepatitis A and B, Rabies, Typhus, Chickenpox, Japanese encephalitis are examples of what you might need. Also note that Malaria can exist in the area.