Kirrama Birdwatching & Wildlife Tours - Australia & New Guinea

Papua New Guinea Bird Tour

16 Day Tour + New Britain extension

8 birdwatchers minimum / 12 maximum
Port Moresby - Ambua Lodge (Tari) - Kumul Lodge (Mt Hagen) - Tabubil (Ok Tedi Valley) -Kiunga - Port Moresby

Please note: depending on possible flight changes until the start of the tour the order of visits to locations might change.

Optional extension: Port Moresby - New Britain Island - Port Moresby

This itinerary is prepared by Brian Coates, who is the main guide on this tour.
Please click here for more information about your guides and click here for the trip report of the latest tour.

New Guinea is the world's second largest island (after Greenland). This magnificent island, with its backbone of high mountains, is a land of diverse habitats ranging from tropical beaches and vast forests to alpine grassland. It is home to one of the finest arrays of unique plants and animals known to man.

The birds of paradise are its best known and undoubtedly its most outstanding group of animals, not only because of their beauty but also because of their great diversity. Thirty‑eight species of birds of paradise are found in New Guinea.

Other remarkable bird groups include the amazing, structure‑building bowerbirds, the smallest parrots in the world, the world's largest pigeons, the world's most diverse group of kingfishers, huge flightless cassowaries, mound‑building megapodes, poisonous pitohuis, and 60 species of honeyeaters. Of the 740 species of birds recorded in New Guinea, 330 species are found nowhere else.

The scientific world has long recognised the diversity and extraordinary richness of New Guinea's flora and fauna. This tour will sample this richness by visiting a wide range of habitats and altitudes from lowland rainforests, savannas and swamps to montane forests and grasslands. It will provide the opportunity to observe many species of endemic birds including many birds of paradise. And it will also give a glimpse of a passing world.

The best time to visit New Guinea is during the cooler, drier months of the southern winter and early spring, as this is the period when adult male birds of paradise are fully plumed and in peak displaying condition. Our accommodation throughout, except for one night, will be in comfortable, well‑appointed hotels and lodges with private facilities. For one night we will experience basic but adequate bush accommodation where the lack of amenities will be more than compensated for by the birdlife in the surrounding forest.

Our tour will begin in Port Moresby where we will stay for two nights. We will visit hill forest habitat in Varirata National Park to look for Raggiana Bird of Paradise and Hooded Pitohui, plus other birds. We will also visit eucalypt savanna and the Pacific Adventist University grounds to look for various species including Orange-fronted Fruit-dove, Fawn breasted Bowerbird, Spotted Whistling-duck and Grey headed Mannikin.

From Port Moresby we will fly to Tari where we will transfer to the world famous Ambua Lodge, situated at the edge of montane forest at an altitude of 2130 m (7000 ft). Here we look for birds in the surrounding forest, ranging up to Tari Gap, and also in the Tari Valley. The many special birds present in this splendid area include New Guinea Eagle, Papuan Lorikeet, Whiskered Lorikeet, Brehm's Tiger parrot, Blue capped Ifrita, Spotted Jewel babbler, Wattled Ploughbill, Belford's Honeyeater, Red collared Myzomela, Crested Berrypecker, Archbold's Bowerbird, Loria's Bird of Paradise, Crested Bird of Paradise, Short tailed Paradigalla, Ribbon tailed Astrapia, Stephanie's Astrapia, Brown and Black Sicklebill, Lawes' Parotia, King of Saxony Bird of Paradise, Superb Bird of Paradise and Blue Bird of Paradise.

Following our stay at Ambua Lodge we will transfer to Tari and then return to Port Moresby for our flight to Mount Hagen, where we will transfer to Kumul Lodge, which is located in cool upper montane forest at an altitude of 2800 m (9200 ft) and offers excellent birding. Birds to be found in this area include Papuan Lorikeet, Whiskered Lorikeet, Orange billed Lorikeet, Painted Tiger-parrot, Mountain Nightjar, Blue-capped Ifrita, Dimorphic Fantail, White-winged Robin, Rufous-naped Whistler, Belford's Honeyeater, Ornate Honeyeater, Crested Berrypecker, Mountain Firetail, Yellow-breasted Bowerbird, Crested Bird of Paradise, Ribbon-tailed Astrapia, Brown Sicklebill, Superb Bird of Paradise and Blue Bird of Paradise.

We fly from Mt Hagen to Tabubil in the Ok Tedi Valley where we will stay for two nights. Here we will explore the hill and lower montane forests for a range of species including Salvadori's Teal, Blue collared Parrot, Stout-billed Cuckoo shrike, Obscure Berrypecker, Carola's Parotia, and Magnificent and Greater Birds of Paradise.

The road trip takes us to Kiunga, a port town located on the upper Fly River not far from the Irian Jaya border and surrounded by a vast expanse of lowland rainforest and swamp forest. We will stay for four nights in the Kiunga area, including a trip by boat up the Elevala River, where we will look for birds in the surrounding forests. Southern Crowned Pigeon, Palm Cockatoo, Pesquet's (Vulturine) Parrot, Little Paradise kingfisher, White bellied Pitohui, Flame Bowerbird, and Twelve wired, King and Greater Birds of Paradise are just some of the many splendid species resident in this wonderful area.

Following our stay at Kiunga the tour ends in Port Moresby.

The optional extension starts with the afternoon flight to New Britain Island.

Walindi Plantation Resort is located on New Britain, the largest island in the Bismarck Archipelago. Here are found a number species that are endemic: (i) to the islands of Northern Melanesia, (ii) to the Bismarck Archipelago, and (iii) to New Britain. At Walindi we will look for birds in nearby forested and marine areas.
Species to be found here include Melanesian Scrubfowl, New Britain Buzzard, Red-knobbed Fruit-dove, Red-knobbed Imperial-pigeon, Blue-eyed Cockatoo, Eastern Black-capped Lory, Violaceous Coucal, Pied Coucal, Black-headed Paradise-kingfisher, White-mantled Kingfisher, Bismarck Pied Monarch, Ashy Honeyeater, Bismarck Flowerpecker, Buff-bellied Mannikin and White-backed Wood-swallow.
We will also visit two or three small islands in Kimbe Bay to look for small-island specialists, including Nicobar Pigeon, Beach Kingfisher and Island Monarch.

Our tour will begin in Port Moresby where we will stay for two nights. We will visit hill forest habitat in Varirata National Park to look for Raggiana Bird of Paradise and Hooded Pitohui, plus other birds. We will also visit eucalypt savanna to look for various species including Orange-fronted Fruit-dove, Fawn‑breasted Bowerbird and Grey‑headed Mannikin.

From Port Moresby we will fly to Kiunga, a port town located on the upper Fly River not far from the Irian Jaya border and surrounded by a vast expanse of lowland rainforest and swamp forest. We will stay for four nights in the Kiunga area, including a trip by boat up the Elevala River, where we will look for birds in the surrounding forests. Southern Crowned Pigeon, Palm Cockatoo, Pesquet's (Vulturine) Parrot, Little Paradise‑kingfisher, White‑bellied Pitohui, Flame Bowerbird, and Twelve‑wired, King and Greater Birds of Paradise are just some of the many splendid species resident in this wonderful area.

We drive from Kiunga to Tabubil in the Ok Tedi Valley where we will stay for two nights. Here we will explore the hill and lower montane forests for a range of species including Salvadori’s Teal, Blue‑collared Parrot, Stout-billed Cuckoo‑shrike, Obscure Berrypecker, Carola's Parotia, and Magnificent and Greater Birds of Paradise.

From Tabubil we will fly to Mount Hagen where we will transfer to Kumul Lodge, which is located in cool upper montane forest at an altitude of 2800 m (9200 ft) and offers excellent birding. Birds to be found in this area include Papuan Lorikeet, Whiskered Lorikeet, Orange‑billed Lorikeet, Painted Tiger-parrot, Mountain Nightjar, Blue-capped Ifrita, Dimorphic Fantail, White-winged Robin, Rufous-naped Whistler, Belford's Honeyeater, Ornate Honeyeater, Crested Berrypecker, Mountain Firetail, Yellow-breasted Bowerbird, Crested Bird of Paradise, Ribbon-tailed Astrapia, Brown Sicklebill, Superb Bird of Paradise and Blue Bird of Paradise.

Next we will fly to Tari where we will transfer to the world famous Ambua Lodge, situated at the edge of montane forest at an altitude of 2130 m (7000 ft). Here we look for birds in the surrounding forest, ranging up to Tari Gap, and also in the Tari Valley. The many special birds present in this splendid area include New Guinea Eagle, Papuan Lorikeet, Whiskered Lorikeet, Brehm's Tiger‑parrot, Blue‑capped Ifrita, Spotted Jewel‑babbler, Wattled Ploughbill, Belford's Honeyeater, Red‑collared Myzomela, Crested Berrypecker, Archbold's Bowerbird, Loria's Bird of Paradise, Crested Bird of Paradise, Short‑tailed Paradigalla, Ribbon‑tailed Astrapia, Stephanie's Astrapia, Brown and Black Sicklebill, Lawes' Parotia, King of Saxony Bird of Paradise, Superb Bird of Paradise and Blue Bird of Paradise.

Following our stay at Ambua Lodge we will transfer to Tari and then return to Port Moresby for our afternoon flight to New Britain Island. Walindi Plantation Resort is located on New Britain, the largest island in the Bismarck Archipelago. Here are found a number species that are endemic: (i) to the islands of Northern Melanesia, (ii) to the Bismarck Archipelago, and (iii) to New Britain.

At Walindi we will look for birds in nearby forested and marine areas. Species to be found here include Melanesian Scrubfowl, New Britain Buzzard, Red-knobbed Fruit-dove, Red-knobbed Imperial-pigeon, Blue-eyed Cockatoo, Eastern Black-capped Lory, Violaceous Coucal, Pied Coucal, Black-headed Paradise-kingfisher, White-mantled Kingfisher, Bismarck Pied Monarch, Ashy Honeyeater, Bismarck Flowerpecker, Buff-bellied Mannikin and White-backed Wood-swallow. We will also visit two or three small islands in Kimbe Bay to look for small-island specialists, including Nicobar Pigeon, Beach Kingfisher and Island Monarch.

ITINERARY

Day 1

Accommodation: Gateway Hotel
The tour starts in Port Moresby. Time permitting we will spend the afternoon birding in nearby savanna habitat where we expect to see a variety of species including Orange-fronted Fruit-dove, Pacific Swallow, White shouldered Fairy wren, Helmeted Friarbird, Grey headed Mannikin, Singing Starling, Yellow faced Myna, Black backed Butcherbird and Fawn breasted Bowerbird.

Day 2

Accommodation: Gateway Hotel

We will spend most of the day birding in hill forest habitat at Varirata National Park. This area provides habitat for many species including Red cheeked Parrot, Pheasant Pigeon, Brown headed Paradise kingfisher, Rufous bellied Kookaburra, Yellow billed Kingfisher, Rusty Mouse warbler, Yellow bellied Gerygone, Chestnut backed Jewel babbler, Chestnut bellied Fantail, Spotwinged Monarch, Frilled Monarch, White faced Robin, Grey Whistler, Hooded Pitohui, Black Berrypecker, Black fronted White eye, Brown Oriole, Hooded Butcherbird, Magnificent Riflebird and Raggiana Bird of Paradise.

Day 3 - 5

Accommodation: Ambua Lodge

In the morning we fly to Tari where we transfer to Ambua Lodge for three nights. The Lodge is located at the edge of montane forest. We will look for birds above and below the Lodge and in the Tari Valley. This area is one of the world's premier birding spots and boasts an impressive list of sought after species including Black mantled Goshawk, New Guinea Eagle, Forbes's Forest rail, Papuan Lorikeet, Whiskered Lorikeet, Yellow billed Lorikeet, Orange billed Lorikeet, Painted Tiger-parrot, Brehm's Tiger parrot, Papuan Boobook, Mountain Nightjar, Mountain Swiftlet, Long tailed Shrike, Island Thrush, Spotted Jewel babbler, Blue capped Ifrita, Orange crowned Fairy wren, Papuan Scrub wren, Dimorphic Fantail, Black Fantail, Lesser Ground robin, Garnet Robin, Blue grey Robin, Regent Whistler, Wattled Ploughbill, Black Sittella, Belford's Honeyeater, Yellow browed Honeyeater, Common Smoky Honeyeater, Grey streaked Honeyeater, Black throated Honeyeater, Red collared Myzomela, Tit Berrypecker, Crested Berrypecker, Mountain Firetail, Hooded Mannikin, Blue faced Parrot finch, Mountain Peltops, New Guinea Wood swallow, Archbold's Bowerbird, Macgregor's Bowerbird, Lesser Melampitta, Loria's Bird of Paradise, Crested Bird of Paradise, Short tailed Paradigalla, Ribbon tailed Astrapia, Stephanie's Astrapia, Brown Sicklebill, Black Sicklebill, Lawes' Parotia, King of Saxony Bird of Paradise, Superb Bird of Paradise and Blue Bird of Paradise.

Day 6 - 8

Accommodation: Kumul Lodge

In the morning we fly from Tari to Mount Hagen via Port Moresby, where we transfer to Kumul Lodge for three nights. The Lodge is located in upper montane forest. Most of the birds found here are not present in the lower elevations visited so far. As a further attraction, some of the birds around the Lodge are very confiding. Birds to be found in this area include Chestnut Forest-rail, Papuan Lorikeet, Whiskered Lorikeet, Yellow billed Lorikeet, Orange billed Lorikeet, Painted Tiger-parrot, Brehm's Tiger parrot, Mountain Nightjar, Island Thrush, Blue-capped Ifrita, Dimorphic Fantail, Blue grey Robin, White-winged Robin, Rufous-naped
Whistler, Wattled Ploughbill, Belford's Honeyeater, Common Smoky Honeyeater, Fan-tailed Berrypecker, Crested Berrypecker, Mountain Firetail, Lesser Bird of Paradise, Crested Bird of Paradise, Ribbon-tailed Astrapia, Brown Sicklebill and our only chance on this tour of finding the Yellow-breasted Bowerbird.

Day 9 & 10

Accommodation: Cloudlands Hotel

Today we fly from Mt Hagen to Tabubil in the Ok Tedi Valley. The afternoon and the next day will be spent birding in the hill and lower montane forest of the Ok Tedi area. Among the many species found in this area are Salvadori's Teal, Long tailed Buzzard, Papuan Mountain pigeon, Dusky Lory, Striated Lorikeet, Pesquet's (Vulturine) Parrot, Red breasted Pygmy parrot, Blue collared Parrot, Eclectus Parrot, Black tipped (Grey headed) Cuckoo shrike, Stout-billed Cuckoo shrike, Black bellied Cuckoo shrike, Chestnut-backed Jewel-babbler, Black Fantail, River (Torrent) Flycatcher, White rumped Robin, Black-headed Whistler, Long-billed Honeyeater, Spotted Honeyeater, Scrub White eared Honeyeater, Obscure Berrypecker, Mountain Peltops, New Guinea Wood swallow, Greater Melampitta, Magnificent Bird of Paradise and Greater Bird of Paradise.

Day 11 & 12

Accommodation: Kiunga Guesthouse

We depart Tabubil and drive to Kiunga. Along the way we will try to see Little Ringed Plover (Papuan form), Lesser Black Coucal and Golden backed Whistler. We will spend the afternoon and the next day birding around Kiunga. The lowland rainforests and swamp forests in the Kiunga area offer a great variety of birds including Long tailed Buzzard, Variable Goshawk, Pink-spotted Fruit dove, Beautiful Fruit dove, Orange bellied Fruit dove, Papuan Mountain pigeon, Yellow streaked Lory, Western Black capped Lory, Red flanked Lorikeet, Yellow capped Pygmy parrot, Orange breasted Fig parrot, Double eyed Fig parrot, Red cheeked Parrot, Eclectus Parrot, Moustached Tree swift, Yellow billed Kingfisher, Blyth's Hornbill, Hooded Pitta, Boyer's Cuckoo shrike, Golden Cuckoo shrike, Blue Jewel babbler, Black sided Robin, Variable Pitohui, Tawny breasted Honeyeater, Black Sunbird, Lowland Peltops, Flame Bowerbird,
Glossy-mantled Manucode, Crinkle-collared Manucode, Trumpet Manucode, Magnificent Riflebird, Greater Bird of Paradise and Grey Crow.

Day 13

Accommodation: Ekame Lodge

Today we travel by boat up the Elevala River to overnight at the locally owned Ekame Lodge, set amid a vast area of forest. We will be looking for Yellow legged (Black billed) Brush turkey, Great Cuckoo dove, Southern Crowned Pigeon, Pink spotted Fruit dove, Pinon Imperial pigeon, Collared Imperial pigeon, Zoe Imperial pigeon, Palm Cockatoo, Pesquet's (Vulturine) Parrot, Uniform Swiftlet, Papuan Spine tailed Swift, Common Paradise kingfisher, Little Paradise kingfisher, Hook billed Kingfisher, Rufous bellied Kookaburra, Blue breasted Pitta, Painted Quail thrush, Rufous Babbler, Hooded Monarch, Golden Monarch, Rusty Pitohui, White bellied Pitohui, Yellow bellied Longbill, Yellow eyed Starling, Golden Myna, Twelve wired Bird of Paradise and King Bird of Paradise.

Day 14

Accommodation: Kiunga Guest House

We will spend the morning birding around Ekame Lodge. In the afternoon we will return downriver by boat to Kiunga.

Day 15

Accommodation: Gateway Hotel
After local birding we fly from Kiunga to Port Moresby and transfer to our hotel.

Day 16
In the morning we will depart from PNG.

Optional Extension

Day 16

Accommodation: Walindi Plantation Resort

Very early morning birding in Varirata N.P. is planned, and after lunch we fly to Hoskins, New Britain where we will transfer to the Walindi Plantation Resort.

Day 17

Accommodation: Walindi Plantation Resort

Today will be a full day birding. We will visit Garu Wildlife Management Area in the morning and Kilu Ridge in the afternoon. We will be looking for forest birds, including Melanesian Scrubfowl, New Britain Buzzard, Stephan's Dove, Pied Cuckoo-dove, Red-knobbed Fruit-dove, Red-knobbed Imperial-pigeon, Finsch's Imperial-pigeon, Blue-eyed Cockatoo, Eastern Black-capped Lory, Song Parrot, Eclectus Parrot, Bismarck Hanging-parrot, Violaceous Coucal, Pied Coucal, New Britain Boobook, Black-headed Paradise-kingfisher, White-mantled Kingfisher, Blyth's Hornbill, Bismarck Pied Monarch, Lesser Shining (Dull) Flycatcher, New Britain Friarbird, Ashy Honeyeater, New Britain Red-headed Honeyeater, Bismarck Flowerpecker, Buff-bellied Mannikin and White-backed Wood-swallow.

Day 18

Accommodation: Walindi Plantation Resort

In the morning we will take a trip by boat to visit islands in Kimbe Bay to look for Nicobar Pigeon, Island Imperial-pigeon, Yellow-bibbed Fruit-dove, Beach Kingfisher, Island Monarch and Scarlet-bibbed Honeyeater (= Sclaters Myzomela). From the boat we may also have a chance of seeing the rare Heinroth's Shearwater.
In the afternoon we will visit the Kulu River area for more forest birding.

Day 19

Accommodation: Gateway Hotel

Today we leave Walindi in the morning and return to Port Moresby. Local birding is planned for the afternoon.

Day 20

The tour ends with the departure from Port Moresby.

For more general information and the safety aspect for travellers in PNG please click here.