Sulawesi Birding Tour of The Wallace Line
Sulawesi is the largest and oldest island within Wallacea, a vast zone of oceanic islands separating continental Asia from the Pleistocene landmass of Australia and Papua (Sahul). The Sulawesi birding Forests harbor some of the most unique animals on Earth. The islands are located in the region known as Wallacea, which contains a distinctive fauna representing a mix of Asian and Australasian species. A fruit-eating pig with huge tusks, a dwarf buffalo, endemic macaques, and cuscuses exemplify a truly unique mammal community. Sulawesi birding forest, like the hub of a wheel, is surrounded by a variety of exotic ocean basins, including the Flores Sea, the Banda Sea, the Molucca Sea, the Java Sea, and the Straits of Makassar, as well as the diverse islands of Borneo, Java, Flores, Halmahera, and the Philippines. More than half of the original forest has been cleared, and most of the remaining forests have been reduced to fragments.
In addition to a rich sulawesi birding life, Sulawesi is home to nearly 80 endemic mammals such as the unique dwarf buffalo known as the Anoa, a curious pig known as the Babirusa, the Spectral Tarsier, the Sulawesi Bear Cuscus and the Crested Black Macaque that is found in the Tangkoko Nature Reserve.
Sulawesi birding tour aims to provide you with some of the best bird watching to be had in Sulawesi, Indonesia an area that boasts one of the largest endemic bird populations on earth with the main island of Sulawesi being home to no less than 12 endemic genera and over 40 endemic species. A further 56 species are endemic to the Sulawesi birding sub-region which covers the neighbouring islands of Sula and Banggai. However most can be found on the main island. Birdwatchers who visit this mysteriously K-shaped island are guaranteed to find a host of new and unusual species.
Sulawesi Birding Tour
15 Days / 14 Nights
Itinerary:
Day 01: Arrival in Manado – Tangkoko Nature Reserve (D)
You arrival in Manado, meeting service, transfer to Tangkoko Nature reserve, birding along the way (if possible)
Overnight: Homestay or lodge near park.
Day 02: Tangkoko Nature Reserve (B,L,D)
We’ll spend the early morning birding in the Mahawu forest looking for montane species, such as Asuch as Red-backed Thrush, Lilac-cheeked Kingfisher, Green-backed Kingfisher, Ruddy Kingfisher, Knobbed Hornbill, Red-bellied Pitta, Spot-tailed Goshawk, Sulawesi Goshawk, Purple-winged Roller, Sulawesi Babbler, Blue-backed Parrot, Yellow-breasted Racquet-tail, Isabelline Bush-hen, Sulawesi Nightjar, Tabon Scrubfowl, Large Hanging Parrot and Pygmy Hanging Parrot. Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfisher, Ochre-bellied Boobook, Pied Cuckoo-shrike, Sulawesi Triller, White-bellied Imperial Pigeon, Silver-tipped Imperial Pigeon, Sulawesi Cicadabird, Sulawesi Hawk-eagle, Sulawesi Serpent Eagle and Sulawesi Short Crested Myna. After lunch we will be making use of an outrigger boat across mangrove forest to see Black-billed Kingfisher, White-rumped Cuckoo-shrike and shore birds. In the evening you’ll be introduced for nocturnal primate or Tarsier called Tarsius spectrum that can be found in the North Sulawesi only. As we travel into the park we’ll bird the forest en route, and as darkness falls we’ll walk into the forest in search of the amazing Spectral Tarsier; we have an excellent chance of finding (and photographing) these diminutive primates at dusk as they exit from their shelter in the huge fig trees that are a feature of this area.
Overnight: Homestay or lodge near park.
Day 03: Tangkoko Nature Reserve (B,L,D)
We’ll have this whole day to explore the coastal and montane forest of this wonderful park, which supports a good range of the region’s endemic birds. We should see many spectacular Wallacean species, such as Black-naped Fruit-Dove, the unusual Azure-rumped Parrot, Yellow-billed Malkoha, Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfisher, and Ashy Woodpecker. The park boasts a healthy population of the amazing Knobbed Hornbill as well as a unique monkey, Sulawesi Crested Macaque. Weather permitting, during the heat of the middle of one day we’ll take a boat out to an area of mangroves in search of Black-billed Kingfisher and White-rumped Cuckoo-shrike.
Night: Homestay or lodge near park.
Day 04: Tangkoko – Kotamobagu (B,L,D)
After breakfast, Sulawesi birding trip continues. We drive to Kotamobagu. Birding along the way, stopping to admire a beautiful pair of huge Sulawesi Masked Owls in their traditional cave roost.
Overnight: Senator Hotel or Ranger’s house at Sinsingon village
Day 05: Kotamobagu – Gunung Ambang (B,L,D)
After breakfast we continue our journey by driving to Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park (formerly known Dumoga Bone). In the afternoon we go birding around Gunung Ambang where there is a good site for observing a new endemic species called Cinnabar Boobook or Cinnabar Hawk-owl.
Overnight: Guest House or Ranger’s house near park
Day 06 and 07: Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park (B,L,D)
Two full days to explore the Sulawesi birding in the Dumoga Bone, where you will be accompanied by a knowledgeable bird-watching guide.
Driving early to Tambun gives us the chance to see Maleo and its nesting ground, birding continues along Molibagu roadside. After lunch we move on to Toraut forest to find-out Speckled Boobook and get a good view or Raptors, Hornbills and Racquet-tails.
Overnight: Guest House or Ranger’s house near park
Day 08: Doloduo – Tomohon (B,L,D)
Still birding in the park, the journey continues. We drive 4-6 hours to Tomohon. In the Afternoon we move on to Mahawu forest to find-out Scaly-breasted Kingfisher. Diabolical Nightjar should be seen within this forest.
Overnight: Highland Resort
Day 09: Tomohon – Makassar – Palu (B,L,D)
After breakfast we’ll fly to Palu, via Makassar, from where we’ll drive to Lore Lindu National Park. This is essentially a travel day but we’ll have a chance to do some birding in paddy fields along the way.
Overnight: Swissbel Hotel
Day 10: Palu – Lore Lindu National Park (B,L,D)
The whole day is meant to explore the Sulawesi birding in the Lore Lindu National Park where you will be accompanied by bird-watching guide who has sharp eyes and a good has talent for birding.
Overnight: Guest House or camp-site near park.
Day 11 and 12: Lore Lindu National Park (B,L,D)
After breakfast we’ll return by car to Palu, stopping to bird again in the forests of Lore Lindu and then in Oloboju to look for Savanna Nightjar on their nesting grounds, Purple-bearded Bee-eater, Diabolical Nightjar, Grey-headed Imperial Pigeon, Rufous-throated Flycatcher, Blue-fronted Flycatcher, Maroon-backed Whistler, Malia, Olive-flanked Whistler, Sulphur-bellied Whistler, Streak-headed Dark-eye, Malia, Sulawesi Thrush, Small Sparrow-hawk, Red-eared Fruit-dove, Chestnut-backed Bush-warbler, Sulawesi Lesser Honey-eater, Rusty-bellied Fantail, Greater Honey-eater, Mountain Serin and Cinnabar Boobook. A number of open-country birds and waterbirds can be seen in the magnificent and ancient paddy fields stretching between the park and Palu. We’ll stop to check through the flocks of Chestnut Munias for the localized Black-faced Munia, and we may well see Lesser Coucal and Eastern Yellow Wagtail.
Overnight: Guest House or camp-site near park.
Day 13: Lore Lindu – Palu (B,L,D)
Still birding in the park to find-out species that are yet to be seen. The trip continues by driving down to Palu. We bird on rice fields at Oloboju to discover Pale-headed Munia, Blue-tailed Bee-eater, White-shouldered Triller and Savanna Nightjar. If time permits us, we continue birding on salt ponds to see shore birds.
Overnight: Swissbel Hotel
Day 14: Palu – Manado (via Makassar) (B)
After breakfast you will be taken to the airport for your depature to Makassar and will be connected with your flight to Manado. When you arrive in Manado, you check in at Aston Hotel.
Overnight: Aston Hotel Manado
Day 15: Manado – Out (B)
On time, transfer to Manado Airport for your flight.
~~~ End of Service ~~~
