Birdwatching and Jungle Treks in Raja Ampat

Although Raja Ampat boasts the world’s most diverse marine habitat, the area around Gam Island is covered in floral communities including Mangrove Forests, Beach Forest, Lowland Forest and Sub Mountain Forest. This broad variety of habitat offers respite for a wide range of animals such as birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, butterflies and plants. Many of these species are very rare or endemic to this area. As you can see the birdwatching and jungle trek in Raja Ampat will be an exciting activity that you should not miss.

BEST ACTIVITIES FOR BIRDWATCHING AND JUNGLE TREKS IN RAJA AMPAT

In order to improve the local economy, we source these local guides from neighboring Yenbeser Village. They have walked the jungle trails many times, and their local depth of knowledge of the plants, trees and animals that inhabit these forests will astound you. They will also spot insects, wildlife and plants that our foreign eye never can.

We list the most common species of birds that you will discover with us at our birdwatching and jungle treks in Raja Ampat:

A) TREK RED BIRD OF PARADISE
B) TREK WILSON BIRD OF PARADISE
C) OTHER SPECIES OF BIRDS

A) TREK RED BIRD OF PARADISE

Although animals such as Spotted Cuscus, an array of colorful Butterflies and many forest birds can be seen, the main attraction is by far the Red Bird of Paradise as this is one of the only places in the world we can get to witness these truly amazing birds. We advise you to read up on some literature about them before doing this walk so as to maximize the enjoyment and magnitude of your walk.

These birds are very rare and they have their own special tree about 45 minutes from right at the back of our property. Upon reaching “base camp” you will soon be awarded by one of the most elegant and exotic displays in nature as there have been sightings of 4 male birds dancing and displaying to 1 or 2 females, vying for the chance to mate. These females are so choosy that it might take many visits by many evils before anything happens. After week upon week, day after day and countless hours some evils still never get the chance to mate!

Your options for the birdwatching and jungle treks

Now we have two option for the lover of nature that want to enjoy these extremely colorful and beautiful birds on our birdwatching and jungle treks tours

First option is right behind our property , a nice and easy path through the jungle will take you to base camp. Here you will be able to enjoy the courtship dance of the Red Bird of Paradise, which is endemic of Batanta, Waigeo, and Gam island. The guide, Yehuda, keep the path and base camp for guest. Price: IDRp150 000 – Payable directly to guide.
For the ones who want to enjoy a little bit more trekking and dance , we can offer a longer trip. Our guide Simon will pick you up at our EcoResort to take an amazing boat drive through the bay. After 20 min we will arrive at the starting point for the trek. This time a little bit more difficult but not too difficult, just half an hour trek. Upon reaching “base camp” you will soon be awarded by one of the most elegant and exotic displays in nature as there have been sightings of 4 male birds dancing and displaying to 1 or 2 females, vying for the chance to mate. These females are so choosy that it might take many visits by many evils before anything happens. After week upon week, day after day and countless hours some evils still never get the chance to mate! Price: IDRp250 000 – Payable directly to guide.

Our recommendation for the birdwatching and jungle treks

We would recommend you to witness this once in a lifetime opportunity. The walk is easy going but in the forest and you will inevitably get wet. Wear a short and T-shirt, some good sturdy sandals or shoes and take along binoculars and your camera (please switch off all sound). Put on some insect repellant and let the local guide go show you a true spectacle of nature.

Other information about our birdwatching and jungle treks:

Please note that Biodiversity is only an intermediary between our guests and the local guides. We are not responsible for the way the tour is conducted, local guides are independent of Biodiversity.
Times: 05:00 and 15:00
Duration: 3-4 hours
Departure Point: Biodiversity

Recommended; torch, long trousers, mosquito repellent and trekking shoes

B) TREK WILSON BIRD OF PARADISE

We can also organize treks to see the Wilson Bird of Paradise , one of the most beatiful birds of the world.

We will organize transportation to the neighbout island of Waigeo (10-15min boat drive). We will drop you off at Sapokren where you will meet the local guide. Most of the trek is done though the main road, and it takes around one hour to get to the base camp.

Wilson’s bird of paradise is rather small. Males can reach a length of 16 centimetres. The male is a red and black bird of paradise, with a yellow mantle on its neck, light green mouth, rich blue feet and two curved violet tail feathers. The head is naked blue, with a black double cross pattern on it. The female is a brownish bird with bare blue crown.

The rituals of seduction of these birds clear an area in the floor to create a ‘display court’. Then they perform an elaborate mating dance to impress a potential mate. The male usually exhibits the attractive breast shield and accompanies the mating dance with song and calls.

In the footsteps of great naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace

Alfred Russel Wallace (8 January 1823 – 7 November 1913) was a British naturalist regarded as the pre-eminent 19 ^th -century collector and field biologist of tropical regions of the world. It was nearly 150 years ago that Wallace arrived on an island called Waigeo, after an 18-day ocean voyage on a small sailing canoe. I have stayed for three months in the village of Yenbeser, or Besir (as it was called then), studying the extraordinary nature and birds of the islands, including the birds of paradise. I have commented:

“Every islet was covered with strange-looking shrubs and trees, and was generally crowned by lofty and elegant palms, which also studded the ridges of the mountainous shores, forming one of the most singular and picturesque landscapes I have ever seen.” – Malay Archipelago

Even today we often find ourselves gazing at exactly what Russell Wallace described; It is as though we are the ones on the brink of discovering a new species, enveloped in such amazing biodiversity.