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.
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.
Sulawesi Crested, Moor and Tonkean Macaques, Spectral Tarsier, Bear Cuscus
montane and lowland forests, volcanic mountains, rice paddies, rivers, islands, beaches
mostly hot to humid with cooler nights and mornings in the highlands
8 with 1 Rockjumper leader & local birding leader
moderate pace with some longer hikes
mostly rustic yet clean and comfortable, including some nights in excellent accommodation
moderate but can be challenging at times
+-240 (with over 80 possible endemics!)
average
This was an adventure to be sure. The places we traveled were indeed remote and with the exception of larger cities like Ambon & Sorong inhabited by few people. This was my first trip to Indonesia and was an adventure to even get to Ambon. However, the Indonesian people must be the kindest most helpful people in the world. The boat was lovely and this amazing trip had so many interworking pieces -- moving from the Indo Seamore to the shore for the next adventure, disembarking at various kinds of dock, piers, rocks, etc, meeting up with our vehicles for rides up into the hills -- everything worked like clockwork. We saw so many fabulous birds thanks to our super guides, David Hoddinott and Lev Frid. The two guides were so helpful and informative; I would gladly travel with either of them or both in the future. However, I have to say that this trip was just about at the limit of my ability. I would never have seen the birds I did without the help of David & Lev and our various local guides and drivers. I think only Rockjumper could have pulled this tour off.
"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!
Glen and Keith Valentine worked seamlessly together to make this one of the best Rockjumper trips! The logistics went well, local guides were great, and the boat was quite comfortable and offered good food and variety. Best of all, the birds were plentiful and everyone got lifers galore. The bros Valentine did everything possible to be sure that everyone got onto the birds and they worked tirelessly doing so. I would travel with either or both of them anywhere, thanks guys!
I was extremely impressed with the organisational skills of all involved in this tour. All the guides Rockjumper and local were highly skilled and completely considerate of the non birding needs of the participants. I would like to say that not having an upset stomach at any point during the tour was a big plus to my enjoyment. There were some safely issues that in such a remote part of the world can only be expected, I was very happy to be part of this exciting tour and not sure that it would be possible to micro manage all the safety issues.
David and Lev are exception leaders and worked very hard to find the birds and get everyone onto them. A remarkable trip.
17 Jul 2024 - 01 Aug 2024 (16 days)
IDR93,950,000 - No Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Forrest Rowland
Tour Leader: Ryan Tyrer
Tour price (Per person): IDR93,950,000 * USD5,797 * GBP4,635 * EUR5,404 * AUD8,888
Single Supplement: IDR7,250,000 * USD447 * GBP358 * EUR417 * AUD686
Flight costs: IDR8,500,000 * USD524 * GBP419 * EUR489 * AUD804
25 Jun 2025 - 12 Jul 2025 (18 days)
USD7,595 - No Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Glen Valentine
Tour price (Per person): USD7,595 * GBP6,073 * EUR7,080 * AUD11,645
Single Supplement: USD520 * GBP416 * EUR485 * AUD797
Flight costs: USD890 * GBP712 * EUR830 * AUD1,365
14 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025 (18 days)
USD6,595 - Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Julian Parsons
Tour price (Per person): USD6,595 * GBP5,273 * EUR6,148 * AUD10,112
Single Supplement: USD520 * GBP416 * EUR485 * AUD797
Flight costs: USD890 * GBP712 * EUR830 * AUD1,365
Indonesia - Buru Island Extension II 2023 - November 2023
Indonesia - Remote West Papuan Islands Cruise II 2023 - November 2023
Indonesia - Buru Island Extension I 2023 - November 2023
Indonesia - West Papua: Arfak Extension 2023 - October 2023
Indonesia - Remote West Papuan Islands Cruise I 2023 - October 2023
Indonesia - Remote West Papuan Islands Cruise IV 2023 - October 2023
Indonesia - Buru Island Extension III 2023 - October 2023
Indonesia - Kai Islands Extension 2023 - September 2023
Indonesia - Banda Sea Cruise 2023 - August 2023
Indonesia - Allanson - Flores Endemics 2023 - August 2023
Indonesia - Sulawesi & Halmahera: Wallacean Endemics (Small Group) 2023 - July 2023
Indonesia - Highlights of the East: Sulawesi, Moluccas & Papua II 2023 - July 2023
Indonesia - Sulawesi & Halmahera: Wallacean Endemics 2023 - July 2023
Indonesia - Knox (Lesser Sundas) 2023 - January 2023
Indonesia - Remote West Papuan Islands Cruise III 2022 - November 2022
Indonesia - Buru Island Extension II 2022 - November 2022
Indonesia - Remote West Papuan Islands Cruise II 2022 - November 2022
Indonesia - Buru Island Extension I 2022 - November 2022
Indonesia - Remote West Papuan Islands Cruise I 2022 - October 2022
Indonesia - Sulawesi & Halmahera: Wallacean Endemics (Small Group) 2022 - August 2022