Our Wilson’s Bird-of-paradise extension explores a completely different biological zone. We spend most of our tour on the Raja Ampat Island of Waigeo, famed for the best snorkelling in the world! Here our primary target of this tropical island paradise include perhaps the most attractive bird on the planet, Wilson’s Bird-of-paradise, as well as Red Bird-of-paradise, the incredible Western Crowned Pigeon, Palm Cockatoo, Lowland Peltops and much besides. We also spend a day on the extreme western tip of New Guinea. Here we bird the famous Vogelkop, a veritable feast of incredible highlights may include up to seven birds-of-paradise including Magnificent, King, Lesser and Twelve-wired as well as numerous pigeons such as Wompoo, Superb and Pink-spotted Fruit Doves to name a few, the localized Black Lory and Moluccan King Parrot as well as the endemic Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher.
Wilson’s, Red, Magnificent, King, Lesser and Twelve-wired Bird-of-paradise, Trumpet & Glossy-mantled Manucodes, Magnificent Riflebird, Western Crowned Pigeon, Dusky Megapode, Lowland Peltops, Spot-winged, Golden & Frilled Monarchs, Black Berrypecker, Emperor Fairywren, Raja Shelduck, Hook-billed, Azure & Papuan Dwarf Kingfishers, Yellow-capped Pygmy, Double-eyed Fig & Moluccan King Parrots, New Guinea Bronzewing, Cinnamon Ground, Wompoo, Superb, Pink-spotted, Orange-fronted, Beautiful, Dwarf, Orange-bellied, Coroneted, Claret-breasted, White-bibbed Fruit, Orange-bellied & Dwarf Fruit Doves, Pheasant, Spice & Bicolored Imperial Pigeons, Grey-headed Goshawk, Papuan Boobook, Marbled Frogmouth, Southern Variable & Rusty Pitohuis, North Moluccan Pitta, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra
lowland forests, rivers, islands, beaches
mostly hot and humid
8 with 1 Rockjumper leader & local birding leader
Our Mega tours are very fast-paced birding adventures designed for the dedicated lister and serious birder. The focus of the tour is to see as many of the endemics and area specials as possible in our given time. In order to cover the necessary route to maximise the species list we tend to spend a single night at most sites and travel large distances. There is very little down time aside from that spent driving from one site to the next. These tours are not suitable for dedicated or avid photographers; inexperienced or new birders; as well as anyone with serious mobility or health challenges.
variable between rustic and excellent
moderate to challenging at times
good to very good
The ultimate birding trip: stunning destinations, endemics galore, cruising through the Raja Ampats and Maluku on a lovely wooden boat with wonderful crew and great food, gorgeous sunsets, awesome snorkelling and two of the best Rockjumper guides - Keith and Glen Valentine. And to top it off, Wilson's Bird-of-Paradise!!!!!!!!!
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!
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.
My thanks to Keith and Glen Valentine for taking so much time in getting me on the birds. They are so patient and really nice.
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.
20 Aug 2025 - 26 Aug 2025 (7 days)
USD5,000 - Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Daniel Danckwerts
Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated and dates may change*
Tour price (Per person): USD5,000 * GBP4,004 * EUR4,675 * AUD7,652
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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