Birding at Tangkoko National Park
- 7 Days
- Birding
Easy
Tangkoko National Park in North Sulawesi is a fantastic destination for birders, with its remarkable diversity of colorful, endemic species. This biodiverse reserve is renowned for its unique flora and fauna, making it one of Southeast Asia’s best birding destinations.
The park is home to more than 120 bird species, including many endemic species found nowhere else in the world. Notable highlights include the striking Knobbed Hornbill, the endangered Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfisher, the Black Sunbird, and the Sulawesi Pitta. Early morning and late afternoon trekking offer the best chances to spot these remarkable birds, along with other wildlife such as the spectral tarsier and crested macaque.
Our knowledgeable local guides lead the birding tour and can help identify even the most elusive species. Tangkoko is also accessible from the nearby city of Manado, making it a convenient stop for travelers seeking adventure and natural beauty.
A combo program of North Sulawesi and Raja Ampat also available!
Welcome to Manado! You will be met and transferred directly to Tangkoko Nature reserve which located on 1.30 hour drive from Manado. Check in at your hotel and rest overnight.
Accommodation plan: Tangkoko Sanctuary Villa // Garden Villa
MORNING AND AFTERNOON WALKS
Spend a full day exploring the lowland forests of Tangkoko Nature Reserve with a knowledgeable bird guide. We will search for target species like Green-backed Kingfisher, Sulawesi Lilac Kingfisher, Ruddy Kingfisher, Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfisher, Sulawesi Pitta, Spot-tailed Goshawk, Blue-backed Parrot, Philippine Megapode, Stephan’s Dove, Sulawesi Pitta, Ashy Woodpecker, Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker, Yellow-breasted Racquet-tail, Golden-mantled Racquet-tail, Finch-billed Myna, White-necked Myna, Sulawesi Myna, Sulawesi Triller, Purple-winged Roller, Minahasa Masked Owl, Ochre-bellied Boobook, Stephan’s Dove, Red-backed Thrush, and Grey-sided and Yellow-sided Flowerpecker and several species of primates such as the crested black macaque. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided forest walk, observing more of the reserve’s unique flora and fauna in their natural habitat, and capturing opportunities for photography and wildlife spotting.
Accommodation plan: Tangkoko Sanctuary Villa // Garden Villa
Spend the morning at Temboan Hills, accompanied by a birding guide. start driving around 05.30 from your lodge. For around 30 minute drive. During the birding tours, you may encounter a remarkable variety of species, including the Yellow-breasted Racquet-tail, Ornate Lorikeet, Azure-rumped Parrot, Golden-mantled Racquet-tail, Sulawesi Cicadabird, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Pygmy Hanging Parrot, Green Imperial-Pigeon, Sulawesi Hornbill, Sulawesi Myna, and many more. Back to the lodge for breakfast and rest. In the afternoon, enjoy a mangrove boat tour, gliding through serene waterways while observing coastal birds, unique mangrove ecosystems, and the rich biodiversity of the area. Return to your accommodation for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation plan: Tangkoko Sanctuary Villa // Garden Villa
Transfer to the airport to board on morning flit to Sorong. Upon your arrival in Sorong airport, you’ll be picked up and transfer to Swiss Bel Hotel Sorong for lunch while waiting for ferry to depart to Waigeo island.
Around 12.30, we drive to the harbor to board on public ferry to Waigeo island. Ferry departs at 14.00 for 2 hours journey. Upon your arrival in Waisai harbor, you’ll be picked up and transfer to your hotel. Rest overnight.
Accommodation plan: Korpak Villa & Resort Raja Ampat // Executive room
Depart before dawn for Warkesi Forest, one of Waigeo's premier birdwatching destinations, renowned for its thriving population of the endemic Red Bird-of-Paradise and Wilson's Bird-of-Paradise. Spend the morning observing these spectacular birds at their display sites while searching for other forest species such as the Waigeo Brushturkey, Raja Ampat Pitohui, Blyth's Hornbill, Palm Cockatoo, Eclectus Parrot, Black-capped Lory, Papuan Hanging Parrot, Common Paradise Kingfisher, and Pinon Imperial Pigeon. After lunch, continue your birdwatching excursion through the mangrove and coastal habitats around Waisai, where you may encounter White-bellied Sea Eagle, Brahminy Kite, Beach Kingfisher, Collared Kingfisher, Great-billed Heron, Striated Heron, egrets, and other coastal bird species before returning to the resort for dinner.
Accommodation plan: Korpak Villa & Resort Raja Ampat // Executive room
Begin another early morning birdwatching excursion in Saporkren Forest, one of Raja Ampat's most celebrated birding locations. Search for additional endemic and rainforest species, including Wilson's Bird-of-Paradise, Papuan Pitta, Papuan Frogmouth, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Variable Goshawk, Brown Cuckoo-Dove, Hooded Butcherbird, and other elusive forest birds. Continue birding along the forested roadside between Saporkren and Waisai, a productive habitat for Palm Cockatoos, Eclectus Parrots, Paradise Kingfishers, Yellow-faced Mynas, Metallic Starlings, imperial pigeons, fruit doves, monarch flycatchers, honeyeaters, and other woodland species. Return to the lodge in the afternoon for some leisure time before dinner.
Accommodation plan: Korpak Villa & Resort Raja Ampat // Executive room
Enjoy a final early morning birdwatching excursion, with the destination selected according to recent sightings and your target species list. Your guide may revisit Warkesi Forest, Saporkren Forest, the Waisai roadside forest, or the nearby mangroves to maximize opportunities to observe or photograph species missed during previous sessions. Back to the resort and getting ready for check out. After lunch at 12.30, you’ll be transferred to the harbor to board on Ferry back to Sorong. Ferry departs at 14.00 for 2 hours journey.
Upon your arrival in Sorong, you’ll be picked up and transferred to hotel. Dinner at the hotel.
Accommodation plan: Swiss Bel Hotel Sorong // Deluxe room
Free of activities and at appropriate time, transfer to the airport for 30 minute drive to board on flight to Jakarta / Bali.
