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18-day Sulawesi and Halmahera Birding Spectacular 2016
Sulawesi, a large, four-pronged island of Indonesia that sits between Borneo and New
Guinea, is an amazing destination. Rich tropical jungles and rainforest peaks hold some
42 range-restricted species, including 12 endemic genera! Probably most famous among
these endemic birds is the Standardwing bird-of-paradise, whose raucous calls echo
through the forest from their leks. Stunningly-colored kingfishers illuminate the forest
along with the mound-building Maleo, Purple-bearded Bee-eater hawking for insects,
and brightly-colored parrots, woodpeckers and stunning hornbills. Not only are the birds
spectacular, but many endemic mammals also inhabit this island. This itinerary gives us a
chance to crisscross the island to find the best spots in this most endemic-rich place. The
adjacent smaller island of Halmahera is similarly packed with north-Moluccan endemics
and is equally high on most world birders’ wish lists.
Please note that the detailed itinerary below cannot be guaranteed as it is only a rough
guide and can be changed (usually slightly) due to factors such as availability of
accommodation, updated information on the state of accommodation, roads or birding
sites, and the discretion of the guides and other factors.
Itinerary (18 days/17 nights)
Day 1: Arrival in Manado
After arrival in Manado we will drive to Tangkoko Nature Reserve (2 to 3 hours). We’ll
spend the afternoon birding around the park; at this time we should get a chance to see
one of the smallest primates on earth, the spectral tarsir, as well as the Celebes crested
macaque.
Overnight: Tangkoko Lodge, Bitung, or similar accommodation near the reserve
Days 2. Tangkoko Nature Reserve
We’ll have a full day birding in the Tangkoko Nature Reserve for target species like
Green-backed Kingfisher, Lilac Kingfisher, Ruddy Kingfisher, Oriental Dwarf
Kingfisher, Red-bellied Pitta, Spot-tailed Sparrowhawk, Blue-backed Parrot,
Philippine Megapode, Stephan's Emerald Dove, Common Emerald Dove, Redbacked Thrush, and Grey-sided and Yellow-sided Flowerpeckers. For part of the day
we’ll use an outrigger canoe to boat across the mangrove forest to see Great-billed
Kingfisher, White-rumped Cuckooshrike, Great-billed Heron, various frigatebirds,
Pied Imperial Pigeon, Blue Rock Thrush, and a number of terns.
Overnight: Tangkoko Lodge, Bitung, or similar accommodation near the reserve
Day 3. Tangkoko – Tomohon
In the morning we will continue birding Tangkoko Nature Reserve, looking for species
we might still be missing. After lunch we will drive to Tomohon to bird the Mount
Mahawu Protected Forest for Sulawesi Goshawk, Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher, Crimsoncrowned Flowerpecker, Isabelline Bush-hen, and a chance for Scaly-breasted
Kingfisher.
Overnight: Highland Resort, Tomohon
Day 4. Tomohon – Ternate – Sidangoli – Wasile
We will be birding in the early morning in the Mahawu forest for a second chance to look
for Scaly-breasted Kingfisher. At 7:30 we will drive to the airport for a flight scheduled
to depart to the island of Ternate, North Maluku, and from there we’ll continue on a
speedboat to Sidangoli on the island of Halmahera, from where we drive to the Wasile
district. We’ll do some birding along the way for Blyth’s Hornbill, Moluccan
Cuckooshrike, Halmahera Cuckooshrike, Long-billed Crow, Blue-capped Fruit
Dove, Red-cheeked Parrot, Eclectus Parrot, Gurney’s Eagle, Shining Flycatcher,
Spectacled Monarch, and Seram Golden Bulbul. We’ll also do some night birding here
for Halmahera Boobook, Moluccan Scops Owl, and Moluccan Owlet-nightjar.
Overnight: Barokah Homestay, Subaim
Day 5. Birding the Foli area
Today we depart early in the morning and drive to Foli, from where we walk to the lek of
Standardwing. Their raucous calls echo through the forest, and we’ll spend a while
enjoying these amazing birds. Then we continue birding along the logging road to look
for Purple Dollarbill, Ivory-breasted Pitta, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Sombre
Kingfisher, Azure Kingfisher, Dusky Megapode, Dusky-brown Oriole, Spectacled
Imperial Pigeon, Grey-headed Fruit Dove, and Cream-throated White-eye. We’ll do
some night birding again to look for Halmahera Boobook, Moluccan Scops Owl, and
Moluccan Owlet-nightjar.
Overnight: Barokah Homestay, Subaim, or a simple homestay in Foli
Day 6. Birding the Foli forest and Buli roadside
Today is the second day of birding along the logging road, looking for species like
White-naped Monarch, Dusky Friarbird, White-streaked Friarbird, Nicobar
Pigeon, Violet-necked Lory, Scarlet-breasted Fruit Dove, Paradise-crow,
Halmahera Cuckooshrike, Moluccan Cuckooshrike, Cinnamon-bellied Imperial
Pigeon, Halmahera Flowerpecker, Blue-and-white Kingfisher, Scarlet-breasted
Fruit Dove, Moluccan Goshawk, and Moluccan Hanging Parrot.
Overnight: Barokah Homestay, Subaim, or a simple homestay in Foli
Day 7. Foli – Sidangoli
After breakfast we drive to Binagara, where there is a chance to look for Invisible Rail,
and then continue toward Sidangoli. We’ll spend the morning looking for species we may
have missed the day before and then begin the drive back to Sofifi and continue on to
Sidangoli. Our afternoon birding will be at Kali Batu Putih. Species here include Ivorybreasted Pitta, White Cockatoo, Chattering Lory, Goliath Coucal, Azure
Dollarbird, and Beach Kingfisher.
Overnight: Wosa Ino Homestay, Sidangoli
Day 8. Sidangoli – Ternate – flight to Makassar
We will be birding early along the roadside of Kali Batu Putih to look for species that
may still be missing. Afterwards we return to Ternate and head for the airport for a flight
scheduled to depart in the afternoon to Makassar, South Sulawesi. After arrival in
Makassar we will be birding near the airport to look for Barred Buttonquail, Paleheaded Munia, and Lemon-bellied White-eye.
Overnight: Hotel Darma Nusantara II, Makassar
Day 9. Makassar – flight to Luwuk -- Taima
In the morning we will transfer to the airport for a flight to Luwuk in Central Sulawesi.
After arrival we will drive for two to three hours to Taima, birding on the way for
lowland species like Barred Rail, Pink-necked and Grey-cheeked Green Pigeons,
Green Imperial Pigeon, White-rumped Cuckooshrike, Knobbed Hornbill, and
Purple-winged Roller. In Taima, one of the most reliable places for Maleo, the local
people, in partnership with the international 'Alliance for Tompotika Conservation', have
set up a Maleo reserve, complete with an observation tower. Here we hope to be
watching Maleo in the afternoon, while later we will be night-birding for Sulawesi
Masked Owl and Speckled Boobook.
Overnight: Kim Sweet home
Day 10. Birding the Taima forest
We have a full day of birding the Taima forest, hoping to see Maleo (again?) and a many
fascinating lowland Sulawesi species.
Overnight: Kim Sweet home
Day 11. Taima -- Luwuk
In the morning we will still be birding the Taima forest, hoping to find Maleo if we
should have missed it during the last two days. In the afternoon we will be driving back
to Luwuk, again making birding stops along the way.
Overnight: Aston Luwuk Hotel & Conference Center, Luwuk
Day 12. Luwuk – flight to Makassar – Malino (Gunung Lompobattang)
After breakfast we will transfer to the Luwuk airport for a flight to Makassar. After
arrival we will be driving for about five to sox hours to Malino, birding on the way. We
will be birding on farmlands to look for Sulawesi Leaf Warbler, Chestnut-backed
Bush Warbler, Sulawesi Myzomela, and Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker.
Overnight: Malino Hotel, Malino (simple accommodations)
Day 13. Lompobattang – Makassar – flight to Palu
During the morning we will be birding on Mount Lompobattang to look for the key
species Lompobattang Flycatcher, Sulawesi Flycatcher (undescribed Muscicapa sp.
nov.), and other endemic species. After lunch we will drive back to Makassar, where
we’ll stop at the Patene complex to look for Pale-bellied Munia. From Makassar airport
we will fly to Palu, where we will arrive late at night.
Overnight: Mercure Hotel, Palu
Day 14. Palu – Lore Lindu National Park
We depart at 5:00 a.m., driving to Lore Lindu for about 4 – 5 hours, birding along the
way.
Overnight: Mona Lisa Homestay, Lore Lindu
Days 15 - 16. Birding in Lore Lindu National Park
We spend two days exploring one of Indonesia’s most famous parks. It holds most of the
endemics of the island, and we’ll spend some time concentrating on those species, along
with Purple-bearded Bee-eater, Satanic Nightjar, Geomalia, Red-eared Fruit Dove,
Golden-mantled Racket-tail, Sulawesi Ground Dove, Great Shortwing, Hylocitrea
(Olive-flanked Whistler), Dark-eared and White-eared Myzas on the Anaso track. Lake
Tambing, and the Padaeha roadside are other productive places for endemic species such
as Sulawesi Cicadabird, Piping Crow, Knobbed Hornbill, Rufous-throated
Flycatcher, Sulawesi Thrush, Crimson-crowned Flycatcher, Malia, Sulawesi
Babbler, Dwarf Sparrowhawk, White-necked Myna, Fiery-browed Starling, Yellowbilled Malkoha, Speckled Boobook, and Cinnabar Boobook.
Overnight: Guesthouse or campsite
Day 17. Lore Lindu National Park – Palu – flight to Makassar
We’ll spend the early morning birding in the park before returning to Palu and heading to
the airport for a flight in the afternoon to Makassar.
Overnight: Ibis Budget Hotel, Makassar airport
Day 18. Departure
Today you will catch your international flight home.
Duration: 18 days
Group Size: 6 – 8
Date: 28 August – 14 September 2016
Starts: Manado
Ends: Makassar
Price: US$6501 per person sharing, assuming 6-8 participants
Single supplement: US$1008
Price includes:
Domestic flights (Manado – Ternate, Ternate – Manado, Manado – Makassar,
Makassar—Luwuk, Luwuk – Makassar, Makassar -- Palu, Palu – Makassar)
All reserve entry fees shown in the itinerary
Accommodation
Meals
Mineral water
Conservation fees
Expert bird guide during the entire trip
Private transportation during the tour
Transfers to and from the airports
Price excludes:
International airfare
Personal insurance
Beverages (soft drinks and alcoholic drinks)
Camera fees in the parks
Items of a personal nature, such as laundry, souvenirs, etc.
Tips
Expenditures due to flight cancellations/delays or other causes beyond our control (force
majeure)
Vehicles to be used:
North Sulawesi: a large bus
South and Central Sulawesi, Halmahera: minibus (Toyota), maximal 3 persons per car
Tangkoko: outrigger boat for Black-billed Kingfisher and White-rumped Cuckooshrike
Ternate to Halmahera: speed boat
This tour can be combined with our Borneo – Spectacular Birds and Other Wildlife
2016 tour, followed by our The Best of Peninsular Malaysia, with post-tour extension
to Banding Island 2016 tour, for a magnificent Southeast Asian mega tour. You might
want to look at the attached trip report for this mega tour, which we conducted in 2013.