Our Sulawesi & Halmahera birding tour comprehensively covers much of the region’s available habitats, from the highland mountains and luxuriant lowland rainforest of Sulawesi to the Australasian influenced Halmahera in the Moluccan ‘Spice Islands’, maximizing our chance to find the more than one hundred range-restricted bird species confined to this fabulous region. A colorful host of parrots, fruit-doves and an awesome assortment of endemic kingfishers combine with sought-after avian gems such as Ivory-breasted Pitta, the incredible Maleo, Purple-bearded Bee-eater, the remarkable Knobbed Hornbill, Purple-winged Roller, Hylocitrea (recently placed in its own monotypic family), and an opportunity to watch the extraordinary Standardwing at its display site.

Top Birds

Standardwing, Sulawesi & Ivory-breasted Pittas, Knobbed & Sulawesi Hornbills, Maleo, Geomalia, Hylocitrea, Cinnabar Boobook, Sulawesi & Satanic Nightjars, Purple-bearded Bee-eater, Purple-winged Roller, Moluccan Goshawk, Sulawesi Serpent Eagle, Sulawesi Cuckoo, Dusky Scrubfowl, Yellow-flanked Whistler, Black-faced & Pale-headed Munias, Black‐ringed White‐eye, Sulawesi Ground Dove, Grey-headed & Silver-tipped Imperial Pigeons, Sulawesi Babbler, Fiery-browed Starling, Pale-bellied Myna, Sulawesi Myzomela, Sulawesi Thrush, Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker, Lilac, Scaly-breasted, Green-backed & Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfishers (amongst 12 species of possible kingfishers), Matinan Blue Flycatcher, Lompobattang Flycatcher.

Top Mammals

Sulawesi Crested, Moor and Tonkean Macaques, Spectral Tarsier, Bear Cuscus

Habitats Covered

montane and lowland forests, volcanic mountains, rice paddies, rivers, islands, beaches

Expected Climate

mostly hot to humid with cooler nights and mornings in the highlands

Max Group Size

8 with 1 Rockjumper leader & local birding leader

Tour Pace & Walking

moderate pace with some longer hikes

Accommodation

mostly rustic yet clean and comfortable, including some nights in excellent accommodation

Ease of Birding

moderate but can be challenging at times

Number of Species Expected

+-240 (with over 80 possible endemics!)

Photographic Opportunities

average

What our clients say about us

Keith Valentine
JA, Remote West Papua 2017

Expert guiding by Keith and Glen Valentine, aided by fabulous local talent, ensured we saw the maximum number of endemics and other birds and mammals. Perhaps more importantly, these two brothers enjoyed their time together and provided a warm, friendly and caring environment in which we all had a good time with lots of laughs, and looked out for each other to ensure everyone got on the birds and did not falter on a tough hike or challenging car ride.

Glen Valentine
CM, Remote West Papuan Islands Cruise & Buru Extension 2017

This was a fabulous tour! Living on the Seahorse and going ashore each day to explore, in many cases, remote and under-birded locations was a truly exciting and wonderful experience. In addition, it was a fabulous and memorable experience to have Glen and Keith Valentine as leaders. They teamed seamlessly and ensured that everyone had a wonderful and got on to the birds. Oh, and of course, the sight of at least 4 male Wilson's Birds-of-Paradise displaying to multiple females was the stuff of dreams! Truly spectacular! And the local guides and drivers were all great, not forgetting the Skipper and crew of the Seahorse! The Buru extension for the Madanga and some of the owls was also so memorable, as were the few days in West Papua. All things considered, a truly wonderful and memorable tour!

Lev Frid
FH, Indonesia 2022

Both my husband and I found Lev to be an excellent guide. He was both personable and knowledgeable. I especially appreciated his calm demeanor when I was unable to immediately get on a bird in the field. His photographic skills also assisted in occasionally clinching an ID of a far-off bird. And, I and others on the Tour appreciated his willingness and ability to digiscope special birds - to be be later airdropped with each other! Lev is a real, and multi-faceted, gem.

Glen Valentine
MG - Lesser Sundas 2022

"Glen Valentine is an amazing guide and really made the trip special. He is personable, patient and unflappable. He did a fantastic job of getting everyone on the birds and this was really challenging in many cases. One of the best I’ve experienced. Our local guide was also very good at leading us to key areas and finding difficult birds. Some of the trip was challenging in Sumba, but well worth the effort. Overall, this was a fascinating and rewarding trip to a little known part of the world with lots of really exciting endemic birds!

Lev Frid
MT, Indonesia 2022

This is a fantastic tour and it gave us a rare, unique and unforgettable experience. We are in awe of the complex logistics required to make this tour run so smoothly. Everything ran like clockwork. The leaders, Lev and David, the ship’s crew, the local teams of guides and the lovely drivers were amazing. Everyone was so friendly. The efforts that everyone went to to find the special birds of these remote islands were above and beyond! The food was very good throughout, in summary the experience was amazing!

Indonesia - Sulawesi & Halmahera: Wallacean Endemics 2024

17 Jul 2024 - 01 Aug 2024 (16 days)

IDR93,950,000 - No Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Forrest Rowland

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Tour Leader: Ryan Tyrer

Tour price (Per person): IDR93,950,000 * USD5,785 * GBP4,633 * EUR5,408 * AUD8,854

Single Supplement: IDR7,250,000 * USD446 * GBP358 * EUR417 * AUD683

Flight costs: IDR8,500,000 * USD523 * GBP419 * EUR489 * AUD801

Indonesia - Sulawesi & Halmahera: Wallacean Endemics (Small Group) 2025

25 Jun 2025 - 12 Jul 2025 (18 days)

USD7,595 - No Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Glen Valentine

Tour price (Per person): USD7,595 * GBP6,083 * EUR7,100 * AUD11,624

Single Supplement: USD520 * GBP416 * EUR486 * AUD796

Flight costs: USD890 * GBP713 * EUR832 * AUD1,362

Indonesia - Sulawesi & Halmahera: Wallacean Endemics 2025

14 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025 (18 days)

USD6,595 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Julian Parsons

Tour price (Per person): USD6,595 * GBP5,282 * EUR6,166 * AUD10,093

Single Supplement: USD520 * GBP416 * EUR486 * AUD796

Flight costs: USD890 * GBP713 * EUR832 * AUD1,362

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Tour Route Map

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