The Sulawesi Island (once known as Celebes) Group of Sulawesi consists of five provinces - Sulawesi Selatan, Sulawesi Barat, Sulawesi Utara, Sulawesi Tenggara and Sulawesi Tengah.
Indonesia lies within Asia and Australasia. East of wallace’s line, which falls between Bali and Lombok, the Island of the Lesser Sundas, Moluccas and Sulawesi form a transition zone, known as Wallacea, between the Asian and Australia avifaunas. The avifauna is partly Asian and many birders visit Asian and "Wallacean" Indonesia.
Birding in Sulawesi is an amazing experience because nearly 100 of the 330 or so birds which have been recorded are endemic (67) or near endemic (26) and first-time visitors will be forgiven for thinking that they are in that avian paradise they have always dreamt of, where almost every different species they see is a new one.
Furthermore, it is possible to see a high percentage of these unique and often extraordinary birds by visiting just three sites: Tangkoko NR and Dumoga – Bone NP at the northeastern corner of Sulawesi. Manado is the capital of the province, which is accessible by air from Singapore via Jakarta and Ujung Pandang. And Lore Lindu NP is in central Sulawesi; Palu is the capital of the province, which is accessible by air from Ujung Pandang, Denpasar, Jakarta and Balik Papan (Kalimantan or Borneo).
A nice selection of Sula endemics after a short boat ride from Luwuk, including the newly rediscovered Banggai Crow.
A massive national park which has only partially been explored. Known sites include Tambun for Maleo and some nice lowland birding.
Montane birding in north Sulawesi. Not as many species as Lore Lindu, but a few things are easier to see here.
Just outside Manado and a great spot for Scaly Kingfisher.
Near Manado and good for waterbirds and migrant raptors.
Lore Lindu NP is home to most of Sulawesi’s endemic species, including the magnificent Red-Knobbed Hornbill (Rhyticeros cassidix) which is common and the largest bird in the park with a wing span of over one meter. Speckled Boobook, Yellow-breasted and Golden-mantle Racquet-tail, Green Imperial Pigeon, Grey-headed Imperial Pigeon, Sulawesi Hanging parrot, Pygmy and Ashy Woodpeckers, Purple-bearded Bee-eater (Jul – Sep); White-neck Myna, Red-bellied pitta, etc. And the Maleo bird, a megapode that buries its single large egg in the warm sand to be incubated by the heat of underground hot springs. Two other endemic birds are the Sulawesi woodcock (Scolopax celebensis) and Heinrich’s Nightjar. Sulawesi woodcock is rarely seen; many birdwatchers visit this park but miss it.
The string of islands off north Sulawesi including Sangihe, Siau and Talaud are not so easy to get to, but loads of great endemics await those who try it.
Easy access and a great introduction to Sulawesi's birds.
Day 1: Arrival Manado (D)
International evening arrivals in Manado (Sam Ratulangi Airport Manado, North-Sulawesi, MDC) and transfer to our nearby hotel for dinner.
Day 2: Manado - Ambang Mountain (B,L,D)
After an early breakfast we leave Manado for the drive to Gunung Ambang. A couple birding stops en-route should get us our first endemics before we have lunch in the homestay close the mountain.
The afternoon on Gunung Ambang will be spend mostly at the forest edge with some easier birding to start with. That this is due to give us plenty lifers and some very nice species is sure. Expect birds as White-bellied Imperial Pigeon, Ornate Lorikeet, Sulawesi Woodpecker, Superb Fruit Dove and with some more luck Golden-mantled Racquet-tail. As dusk approaches, we move to the forest interior to start looking for the recently described Cinnabar Boobook. In fact, it’s fairly common here and we have a good chance to get one in the spotlight with the right effort put in. Other owls present are Speckled Boobook, Sulawesi Masked Owl, Ochre-bellied Boobook and Sulawesi Scops Owl.
Day 3: Ambang Mountain Full Day Bird Watching (B,L,D)
A full day on Gunung Ambang where we concentrate on some of the more difficult species in the forest interior, especially Scaly-breasted Kingfisher and Matinan Flycatcher are priced here and where successfully located on our previous tour. Others to look for include Purple-bearded Bee-eater, Yellow-vented Whistler, Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher, Rusty-bellied Fantail, Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker, Lesser Sulawesi Honeyeater, Malia, Cerulean Cuckoo-shrike and Chestnut-backed Bush-Warbler.
In the evening we have the chance to catch up on any owls missed yesterday and especially Cinnabar Boobook should be ticked ‘off’ as there’s no other chance later on.
Day 4: Ambang Mt. - Tambun (B,L,D)
Another morning on Gunung Ambang to catch up on any species missed previously. We might well choose to swap the trail for some equally good forest found along the nearby road, which provides some easier birding indeed. We should head down for an early lunch today though, as we are due to visit Tambun in the afternoon, a 2 hour drive away.
Maleo come down from the hill forest to lay their eggs in the volcanic soil or to roost on the breeding grounds at Tambun and this is why we plan our first visit to this superb birding site in the afternoon. Other birds at the site might include our first Knobbed Hornbill, Green-backed Kingfisher, White-necked Myna, Maroon-chinned Fruit Dove, Ivory-backed Woodswallow, Yellow-billed Malkoha and Ashy Woodpecker. At dusk Great-eared Nightjars hawk overhead and we will try to glimpse the resident Sulawesi Nightjar.
Day 5: Tambun - Toraut (B,L,D)
This morning we head for Toraut, where the tall forest remnant holds such highlights as Sulawesi Dwarf Hornbill, Yellow-breasted Raquet-tail, Maroon-chinned Fruit Dove, Red-bellied Pitta, Lesser Fish Eagle, Sulawesi Kingfisher and Sulawesi Hawk Eagle. Speckled Boobook has been here on a day roost in an old building for years so lets hope it’s waiting for us also in August 2011.
After lunch, we may visit the reserve at Tambun a bit more thoroughly. As well as being a safe back-up for Maleo, a second visit to this interesting area should give us opportunities to find any species missed previously. But we’re flexible and with the Tambun specialities in the ‘bag’ we could choose to give Tapak Kolintang a first try.
Nights on the Dumoga-Bone leg of our trip in Kotamobagu.
Day 6: Kotamubagu - Manado (B,L)
Our last morning within the Dumoga-Bone (Bogani Nani Wartabone) National Park. Easy but excellent roadside birding awaits us at Tapak Kolintang where the more humid hill forest is home to decent densities of Knobbed Hornbill. Other prices to look for are Black-naped Fruit Dove, Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfisher, Bay Coucal, Purple-winged Roller, Sulawesi Black Pigeon, Sulawesi Crested Myna and Large Sulawesi Hanging-Parrot.
After lunch comes the time for the transfer back to Manado where some modern comfort awaits us in the comfortable hotel.
Day 7: Manado - Tangkoko (B,L,D)
An early start and less than 2 hours drive will see us at the fantastic TangkokoNational Park. It is good to have this diverse place on the North-Sulawesi leg of our journey last to visit as it provides the opportunity to catch up on any species missed at Dumoga-Bone while it is certain to still give us a number of lifers not likely seen earlier on. These include Lilac Kingfisher, Red-backed Thrush, Black-billed Kingfisher, Tabon Scrubfowl, Pied Cuckoo-Shrike, Isabelline Bush-Hen, Sulawesi Black Pigeon and Stephan’s Dove. Additionally, a few species are easier to come by at Tangkoko, count on Red-bellied Pitta, Green-backed Kingfisher, Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfisher, Ashy Woodpecker and Silver-tipped Imperial Pigeon.
Tangkoko is a good place to see some amazing mammals too. We will certainly visit the Spectral Tarsiers coming out of roost in the evening and the critically endangered and impressive Sulawesi Crested Macaque has its stronghold here.
Day 8: Tangkoko Full Day Bird Watching (B,L,D)
Another full day at Tangkoko where our local guide is likely to show us yet another couple excellent stake-out birds. These might include daytime roosts of Sulawesi Nightjar, Ochre-bellied Boobook and Sulawesi Masked Owl.
In the afternoon we set out on the enjoyable boat trip in a quest to see the Great-billed Kingfisher in a mangrove line channel. It’s an opportunity to add quite a few species to our list additionally, several Tern species frequent the bay as well as a few waders, White-bellied Sea-Eagle and Lesser + Great Frigatebirds are another possibility. Sulawesi Masked Owl can often be seen here on its day roost up the cliffs that border the bay and in August 2010 we where lucky enough to observe a group of Bottlenose Dolphins perform some fine spins fully clear from the water surface.
Day 9: Tangkoko - Manado - Airport (B,L)
A last morning in Tangkoko and a special one at that... we will visit a superb viewpoint overlooking plenty good forest and you know, this spot might rank as the 'birdiest' in Sulawesi. Our 2010 tour scored on no less than 5 species of Pigeon in a single tree here... also excellent to get those Raquet-tails and other Parrot species (we did 5 also here) for eye-level views with another good chance on Sulawesi Crested Myna at this site if not encountered earlier on. After lunch, transfer to Sam Ratulangi International Airport for your next destination.
Spreading Area/Habitat: Lore Lindu National Park, Tangkoko Nature Reserve, Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park, Kali Batu Putih, Galela, Foli.
Type of Transportation: 4 Wheel Drive/Jeep, Minibus, Speedboat/boat, Motorcycle, Airplane.
Type of Accommodation: Hotel, Homestay/Lodge.
Starting Point: Jakarta / Bal
Ending Point: Manado (the capital city of North Sulawesi Provincial).
Day 01: Jakarta/Bali - Palu (Via Makassar)
Fly from Jakarta or Bali to Palu (via Makassar), meeting service, Welcome drinks, transfer to Swiss-bell hotel for check -in. Birding around Palu Valley. We should see Red-collared Dove, Chestnut Munia, Pale-headed Munia, Black-faced Munia, Pacific Golden Plover, Blue-tailed Bee-eater, White-breasted Wood-swallow, Little Egret, White-breasted Waterhen, Stephan's Dove, Red-backed Button-quail and Rusty-breasted Cuckoo.
Return to the hotel for overnight (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included).
Day 02: Palu – Pakuli - Lore Lindu National Park (Central Sulawesi)
After breakfast drive to Pakuli observing Maleo (Megaphode) and it's nesting ground. Its egg is three times bigger than a hen egg, with luck, we should see Minahasan Masked Owl and Rufous-throated Flycatcher. Driving slowly to Lore Lindu National Park. In the afternoon we bird around the lake Tambing.
Night at a homestay near park (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included).
Day 03: Lore Lindu National Park
Arise early morning, drive along logging road up to Anaso track for the highland species; Purple-bearded Bee-eater, Heinrich (Satanic Nightjar), Geomalia, Sombre Pigeon, Red-eared Fruit Dove, Golden-mantled Racquet Tail, Yellow-breasted Racquet Tail, Sulawesi Serpent Eagle, Pygmy Cuckoo-shrike, Grey-headed Imperial Pigeon, Sulawesi Ground Dove, Sulawesi Cicadabird, Great Shortwing and Geomalia (All endemic species of Sulawesi).
Night at the homestay (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included).
Day 04 and 05: Lore Lindu National Park
Still birding along Anaso track for the tiny birds with pleasant songs; Yellow-flanked Whistler, Sulawesi Leaf Warbler, Mountain Tailorbird, Streak-headed Dark-eye, Blue-fronted Flycatcher, Rusty-bellied Fantail, Dark-eared Myza, White-eared Myza, Mountain Serin etc.
Night at the homestay near park (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included).
Birding along Anaso track, drive down to the main road, continued to the Lake Tambing. We should see Sulawesi Babbler, Piping Crow, Malia, Sulawesi Thrush, Ornate Lorikeet, Yellow-and-green Lorikeet, Hair-crested Drongo, Caerulean Cuckoo-shrike, Pygmy Woodpecker, Ashy Woodpecker, Red-knobbed Hornbill, White-bellied Imperial Pigeon, Glossy Swiftlet, Yellow-billed Malkoha, White-necked Myna, Fiery-browed Myna, Crested Myna. Here we have a chance to explore for rare species at night; Geomalia and Cinnabar Hawk Owl (The Cinnabar Hawk Owl is a new endemic species found in 2005).
Night at the homestay near park (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included).
Day 06: Lore Lindu National Park - Palu
Birding early morning along the main road of Napu valley, exploring other rare birds; Scaly-breasted Kingfisher, Sulawesi Woodcock (with luck only), other resident species such as: Island Verditer Flycatcher, Spotted Harrier, Spotted Castrol, Lesser Coucal, Collared Kingfisher, Brown Cuckoo Dove, Barred Rail, Pacific Black Duck, Purple Heron, Cattle Egret, Savanna Nightjar etc. Birding continues driving down to Palu.
Check-in and overnight at Swiss-bell hotel (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included).
Day 07: Palu – Manado (Via Makassar) - Tangkoko Nature Reserve
Transfer to the airport, we travel by air to North Sulawesi-Manado (via Makassar), and drive through Tangkoko Nature Reserve. Afternoon birding around the park, at the same time we can see the smallest mammal on earth called Tarsius Spectrum and Black Macaque nigra (a group of black Sulawesi monkey).
Night at a homestay near park (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included).
Day 08: Tangkoko Nature Reserve (North Sulawesi)
We bird early morning to see Green-backed Kingfisher, Lilac-cheeked Kingfisher, Ruddy Kingfisher, Dwarf Kingfisher, Red-bellied Pitta, Hooded Pitta, Spotted-tailed Goshawk, Blue-backed Parrot, Philippine/Tabon Scrubfowl, Bay Coucal, Stephan's Dove, Emerald Dove, Red-backed Thrush, Grey-sided Flowerpecker, and Yellow-sided Flowerpecker.
Night at the homestay (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included).
Day 09: Tangkoko Nature Reserve
Still birding in the park, we should see Sooty-headed Bulbul, Savanna Nightjar, Sulawesi Scops-owl, Pacific Swallow, Rainbow Bee-eater etc. In the afternoon, we use a boat for birding along Mangrove forest on Lembeh Strait looking for Masked Owl roosting on a cliff, Grey Heron, Frigatebirds, Pied Imperial Pigeon, Blue Rock Thrush, Little Tern, and with luck, Great-billed Kingfisher.
Night at the Homestay (Breakfast, Lunch, and dinner included).
Day 10: Tangkoko - Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park.
After breakfast birding along the main road, the journey will be continued driving 5-6 hour to Doloduo, a small town near the National Park. Check-in at Tante Min Homestay, afternoon birding around Toraut to see Isabelline Bush-hen, Black Pigeon, Purple Swamp-hen, White-breasted Water-hen, Ochre-bellied Boobook, and Speckled Boobook.
Return to the homestay for overnight (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included).
Day 11: Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park
Arise early morning, drive to Tambun, a breeding place for Maleo on its nesting ground. This is the second place after Pakuli in Central Sulawesi if we missed this rare bird before. We also should see Red-bellied Pitta, Sulawesi Goshawk, Isabelline Bush-hen, Black-billed Koel, Wandering Whistling-Duck, Bay Coucal and Black-naped Monarch.
Night at the homestay (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included).
Day 12: Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park
Birding again around Tambun to see Sunda Teal, Small and Large Hanging Parrot, Ashy Woodpecker & Pygmy Woodpecker. Afternoon birding along Molibagu road for Maroon-chinned Fruit-dove, Dwarf Hornbill, Ivory-backed Wood-swallow, and Great-eared Nightjar.
Night at the homestay (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included).
Day 13: Bogani Nani Wartabone NP – Gunung Ambang - Kotamobagu
Birding along Molibagu road for good morning call of birds, return to the homestay to have lunch, packing stuff, and then continuing driving to Kotamobagu and check-in at Patra Jasa hotel. In the afternoon, birding around Gunung Ambang for highland species, included a good view of an endemic species found in 2005, called Cinnabar Hawk Owl (Cinnabar Boobook).
Return to the hotel for overnight (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included).
Day 14: Gunung Ambang – Kotamobagu - Tomohon
We still bird around Gunung Ambang for a few endemic species that we might still have missed; Matinan Flycatcher and Scaly-breasted Kingfisher rare species in this park. We should see Scarlet Honeyeater, Citrine Canary Flycatcher, Blue-breasted Button Quail, Yellow Wagtail, Barred Rail, and Buff-banded Rail.
Return to the hotel, packing stuff, the journey continues to Tomohon with stop at Woloan village, where we can see traditional wooden houses designed with Minahasan motif called Modular home. In the evening, observing night bird calls. Check-in and overnight Onong’s Palace. Shopping, email, and phone calls (Breakfast, Lunch, and dinner included).
Day 15: Tomohon – Ternate - Sidangoli/Halmahera
Transfer to the airport, for flight to Ternate (North Maluku), onwards via a speedboat to Sidangoli, a small town on Halmahera. Afternoon birding at Kali Batu Putih/KBP for Long-billed Crow, Blue-capped Fruit Dove, Red-cheeked Parrot, Goliath Coucal, White Cockatoo, Paradise Crow, Eclectus Parrot and Blyth's Hornbill.
Night at a homestay with basic accommodation (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included).
Day 16: Sidangoli – KBP - Tobelo/Galela
Arise early morning, drive to Kali Batu Putih, cross the river for two hours hike through dense forest, observing the Standardwing Bird of Paradise with the pleasant call. Other endemic species namely; Sombre Kingfisher and Ivory-breasted Pitta. Continued driving to Tobelo birding along the way. We should see Gurney's Eagle, Blue-and-white Kingfisher, Molluccan Starling, Willie Wagtail, Common Dollarbird, and with luck, Purple Dollarbird roosting on the dead trunks.
Check-in at a hotel near Tobelo town. After dinner we drive an hour to Galela, onwards with a paddle canoe for night birding in mangrove forest looking for Molluccan Scrubfowl, and its nesting ground on the black sandy beach. This bird can be seen in Halmahera only.
Return to the hotel for overnight (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included).
Day 17: Tobelo – Daru - Foli
After breakfast we drive back to Daru and onwards via a boat to Foli. We should see Black-naped and Bridle Tern. Afternoon birding along logging road, where we should see species such as: Scarlet-breasted Fruit-dove, and Great-billed Parrot.
Overnight at the homestay (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included).
Day 18: Foli and Its Surroundings
Using a motorcycle with a local guide along the logging road, we look for the endemic species of Halmahera that have not yet been seen.
Night at the homestay (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included).
Day 19: Foli and Its Surroundings
Today is third day to discover endemic species.
Night at the homestay (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included).
Day 20: Foli – Daru – Sidangoli - Ternate
We bird early morning along logging road before returning to the accommodation to pack our stuff. The trip continues using a boat back to Daru. Driving to Sidangoli, we bird along the way where a speedboat will bring us to the Mangrove forest looking for the Beach Kingfisher.
Night in Amara Hotel near Ternate town (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included).
Day 21: Ternate – Manado - Bunaken Island
Transfer to the airport for the return flight to Manado, then via a boat to Bunaken Island. Relaxing Day!!! Snorkeling or scuba diving is available (if you are interested).
Night at Daniel Cottage (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included).
Day 22: Bunaken - Manado - Airport
After breakfast we return to Manado City. Shopping and emailing before heading to airport for your return home.
Notes: If you have time, we can do an extra boat trip to explore a school of jumping Dolphins, before leaving the island and transfer to the airport for your flight home.
(Breakfast included).
