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Papua New Guinea - Birds-of-paradise & Central Highlands (Relaxed)

© Blue Bird-of-paradise by Dusan Brinkhuizen
Papua New Guinea - Birds-of-paradise & Central Highlands (Relaxed) 2028

04 Jun 2028 - 17 Jun 2028 (14 days)

PGK38,500 SPACES AVAILABLE

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Tour Leader: Joshua Olszewski

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Tour Leader: Nigel Redman

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Tour Price (Per person): PGK38,500 (USD8,823 * GBP6,766 * AUD12,649)

Flight costs: PGK1,500 (USD344 * GBP264 * AUD493)

Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated, and dates may change*

Papua New Guinea - Birds-of-paradise & Central Highlands (Relaxed) 2029

15 Jun 2029 - 28 Jun 2029 (14 days)

PGK41,500 SPACES AVAILABLE

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Tour Leader: Erik Forsyth

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Tour Leader: Gregory de Klerk

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Tour Price (Per person): PGK41,500 (USD9,511 * GBP7,293 * AUD13,635)

Flight costs: PGK1,500 (USD344 * GBP264 * AUD493)

Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated, and dates may change*

Papua New Guinea is one of the world’s great birding destinations, a land of extraordinary forests, dramatic mountains and some of the most spectacular birds on Earth. Foremost among these are the legendary birds-of-paradise, whose dazzling colours, elaborate plumes and remarkable displays have fascinated naturalists for centuries. On this specially designed Relaxed tour, we place these iconic birds firmly at centre stage, combining excellent highland birding with carefully chosen lowland sites and plenty of time to enjoy the experience rather than simply race after an ever-growing species list.

Beginning around Port Moresby, we explore the forests, wetlands and savannas of Brown River, Hisiu and Varirata National Park, where an impressive variety of parrots, fruit doves, kingfishers, honeyeaters and other New Guinea specialities provides a superb introduction to the island’s birdlife. We then travel into the Central Highlands, spending extended periods at renowned birding locations including Kumul, Magic Mountain and Rondon Ridge. Here the focus shifts strongly towards birds-of-paradise, with opportunities to watch and photograph several species from established feeding areas, hides and blinds, alongside a fascinating supporting cast of highland endemics.

Rather than attempting to cover enormous distances or pursue every difficult forest skulker, this itinerary concentrates on rewarding sites, memorable birds and prolonged viewing opportunities. The result is a gentler and more immersive introduction to Papua New Guinea: spectacular birds-of-paradise, beautiful mountain scenery, rich forest birding and some of the finest wildlife experiences this remarkable country has to offer.

Top Birds

Raggiana Bird-of-paradise; Blue Bird-of-paradise; King of Saxony Bird-of-paradise; Ribbon-tailed & Princess Stephanie's Astrapias; Lawes's Parotia; Greater Lophorina; Magnificent & Lesser Birds-of-paradise; Brown Sicklebill; Short-tailed Paradigalla; Growling Riflebird; Mottled Berryhunter; Blue-capped Ifrit; Wattled Ploughbill; Crested & Loria's Satinbirds; Eastern Crested & Tit Berrypeckers; Yellow-breasted & Black-breasted Boatbills; MacGregor's Bowerbird; Emperor Fairywren; Brehm's Tiger Parrot; Stella's & Goldie's Lorikeets; Brown-headed Paradise Kingfisher; Papuan Dwarf Kingfisher; Barred Owlet-nightjar; Papuan Frogmouth.

Top Mammals

Spectacled Dasyure

Habitats Covered

lowland and montane rainforest, secondary forest, Eucalyptus savanna, mangroves, grasslands, wetlands

Expected Climate

hot and humid with tropical showers on the coast, cooler in the highlands

Max Group Size

7 with 1 Rockjumper Leader / 8 - 10 with 2 Rockjumper leaders

Tour Pace & Walking

MODERATE TO CHALLENGING: This tour requires a good level of fitness, stamina, and overall health. It’s best suited for experienced birders who are comfortable with a more active itinerary. Please note that it may not be ideal for avid photographers, new birders, or those with mobility or health concerns.

Easy to Moderate. A relaxed-paced tour with limited strenuous activity, but some uneven forest trails, altitude & occasionally rough road conditions.

Accommodation

Comfortable. Particularly good at Rondon Ridge, with simpler but well-located highland lodges elsewhere.

Ease of Birding

Easy to Moderate. Much of the birding is around lodge gardens, feeders, hides, forest edge & open habitats. Some forest birding can be slower, but we largely avoid difficult skulking species.

Photographic Opportunities

Good, especially around lodge gardens, feeders & dedicated photographic hides, with opportunities for several birds-of-paradise at close range.

What our clients say about us

Dušan Brinkhuizen
RL & CL - Papua New Guinea

We thought the birding went very well. Both Dusan and Stephan were great guides - very knowledgeable, very dedicated, quite determined to get everyone onto pretty much everything, and they combined very well. And, they both tried very hard to help all the participants who needed it, whether it was locating a bird, getting up a steep section or getting in or out of the boats. They did an admirable job.

Adam Walleyn
BA, Papua New Guinea

Adam Walleyn acted as a very experienced and skilful leader. He had an intimate knowledge of the birds and great skills in finding and showing them. His communication was extremely clear, to the point and flavoured with a good sense of humour. In the few difficult situations that arose due to flights, civil unrest, etc, he showed extremely good skills in handling these with a perfect balance between group decisions and executive decisions. A role model for a tour leader.

Stephan Lorenz
CG & CP - Papua New Guinea 2019

Stephan is a top notch guide. Great eyes, ears & local knowledge found us all the specials. A healthy dose of patience also ensured we all got onto the birds (those that hung around!)

Glen Valentine
MK, Papua New Guinea 2018

The credit for the trip’s success goes to our guides, Glen Valentine and David Erterius. Both have seemingly limitless knowledge of the birds, extrasensory capacities to find them, apparently endless patience and generosity with their clients, and (critically) wonderful senses of humor. They consistently squeezed more out of the birds, the environment, and the experience than I thought possible.

Dušan Brinkhuizen
RL, Papua New Guinea 2018

Dušan Brinkhuizen was especially sweet and encouraging when I was having trouble with pain or with getting onto birds. I would be happy to travel with Dušan again.

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Route Map

Tour Route Map