North Sulawesi Birding

by Sultan Birding Tours Indonesia

Our North Sulawesi Birding Trip cover Tangkoko Nature Reserve,
Gunung Mahawu Reserve, Maleo nesting ground,
Dumoga Bone National Park
and Gunung Ambang Reserve

Best of North Sulawesi’s Endemic birds
with ten days of birding covering hot birding sites including Dumoga Nani Wartabone National Park, Gunung Ambang Reserve, Maleo breeding Center, Gunung Mahawu Reserve, and Tangkoko Nature Reserve. North Sulawesi provides the adventurous with some of the richest ornithological experiences to be found anywhere in the world, for this is one of the most biologically diverse and endemic-rich areas on earth. We design this is a special itinerary for those who want to see the many exciting endemics of Sulawesi. During our trip, we will be birding on Wallacea’s line which is so very different from that of mainland Southeast Asia. On this trip you will visit four of Sulawesi’s fine forest reserves, North Sulawesi covering the area of Tangkoko Nature Reserve, Gunung Mahawu Nature Reserve, and Dumoga Bone Park, Our exciting birding trip begins at Tangkoko Park. We will see our first exciting the wonderful lowland forest where Lilac cheeked kingfisher, Green-backed kingfisher, Sulawesi-dwarf kingfisher, Great-billed kingfisher, Ochre-bellied Boobook, Sulawesi scops owl, Sulawesi-hawk eagle, and highly-vocal Red-knobbed hornbill. We will travel next to the endemic montane of Gunung Mahawu here we will have a chance to spot the Scaly-breasted Kingfisher, Isabelline bush-hen, and much more. At Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park, Tambun, and Gunung Ambang, we will hope to find the extraordinary Maleo as well as other exciting endemics including Matinan flycatcher, Speckled Boobook.

Daily Departure 2023
North Sulawesi Birding Trip 10 days / 9 nights
Price us$ Per Person ( Min. 2 Persons)
Arrival In: Manado airport of Sam Ratulangi, North Sulawesi of Indonesia
Depart From: Manado airport of Sam Ratulangi, North Sulawesi of Indonesia

Price included: English Speaking Bird Guide, Mineral water, Snacks, Meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), accommodation during the trip, Entrances to Parks and Reserves, Local guides, local park ranger, birding site fee, landowner fee, Private car

Price not included: Insurance, Alcoholic Beverages,  Laundry, Tips, All personal expenses that are not mentioned on the items above, Any kind of expenditures incurred due to flight cancellation/delays or due to other causes beyond our control. Kindly please book in advance to ensure availability

North Sulawesi Birding Packages 10 days 9 nights by Sultan Birding
Day 1 Manado arrival-Tangkoko birding
The birding trip begins on your arrival time at Manado airport. Our first birds near Manado airport include Grey-rumped tree-swift, Brown-throated Sunbird, Grey-sided flowerpecker, and Sulawesi scops owl. During three nights in Tangkoko, we will stay at a resort near the park entrance.

Day 2-3 Tangkoko Nature Reserve is famous for having no less than eight resident species, of which four are endemic and four are residents but remember that Tangkoko also has much more to offer than its kingfisher though.  Our  2.5 days here will provide an excellent chance to birding inside Tangkoko Park, AMS Lookout point and Mangrove; to spot more Sulawesi endemic birds and other more widespread species such as Lilac cheeked kingfisher, Green-backed kingfisher, Sulawesi-dwarf kingfisher,  Great-billed kingfisher, Red-bellied Pitta, Rudy kingfisher, Common kingfisher, Blue-eared kingfisher, collared kingfisher, Red-knobbed Hornbill, Sulawesi dwarf Hornbill, Ochre-bellied boobook, Yellow-billed Malkoha, Bay Coucal, Lesser coucal, Sulawesi-Hawk eagle, Sulawesi serpent eagle, Chinese sparrow-hawk, Black eagle, Black kite, Sulawesi cicada bird, Rusty-breasted cuckoo, Sulawesi triller, Purple-winged roller, Ashy woodpecker, Sulawesi woodpecker, Sulawesi hanging parrot, Ornate lorikeet, Golden-mantled Racquetail, Blue-backed Parrot, Grey-cheeked Green Pigeon, Black-naped Fruit-dove, Green Imperial Pigeon, Grey-headed Imperial Pigeon, White-bellied Imperial Pigeon, silver-tipped Imperial Pigeon, Sulawesi Black Pigeon, Stephan’s Dove, Brown-cuckoo dove, Philippine Scrubfowl, Barred rail, Isabelline Bush hen. During our boat trip to the mangrove we may find other species; White-rumped Cuckoo-shrike, Common kingfisher, Great-billed kingfisher, Pink-necked green Pigeon, Osprey, Great Frigatebirds, Lesser frigatebirds, Pacific reef egret, common dollar bird, Striated heron, Little tern, Sacred and Collared Kingfisher, White-bellied Sea eagle, Brahminy kite and Purple heron. After spending much of the day birding but we have time also to see interesting mammals such as Black-Macaca nigra, Tarsius spectrum, and bear cuscus in Tangkoko Park.

Day 4 Tangkoko to Tomohon birdwatching,
after the final morning birding in Tangkoko park, we will drive to the highlands of Tomohon for two nights stay. This afternoon we will begin our exploration of the Lake Tondano and Kayawu surrounding Tomohon.

Day 5 Gunung Mahawu Birding
Mahawu is a forested Volcano (1490 meters above sea level), Inside the crater is a steaming, emerald-green lake ringed with yellow sulfur deposits. From the summit, you can see neighboring Mount Lokon with its ever-present plume of smoke. On a clear day, you can also see both the Sulawesi Sea on the west and to the Maluku sea to the east, Gunung Mahawu is located near the village of Rurukan where Sir Alfred Wallace lived for a while. Now Gunung Mahawu is one of the Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas Area ( IBAs ) in Asia by BirdLife International. In this birding place, we have some interesting Sulawesi endemic species, It is one of the easiest and most reliable sites in Sulawesi for the Scaly-breasted kingfisher Actenoides Princeps but please note this star bird of Sulawesi is very skittish and always hide so to spot them still need luck. Bird species at Gunung Mahawu and Tomohon; Scaly-breasted kingfisher, Lilac-cheeked kingfisher, Green-backed Kingfisher, Blue-eared Kingfisher, Collared Kingfisher, Sulawesi scops owl, Speckled boobook, Ochre-bellied boobook, Sulawesi babbler, Chestnut-backed Bush-Warbler, Sulawesi Blue-Flycatcher (split from Mangrove Blue-Flycatcher), Pale-blue  Monarch (split from Black-naped Monarch), Isabelline-bush hen, Barred rail, White-browed Crake, Sulawesi Myzomela, Island Flycatcher, Citrine Flycatcher, Grey-sided Flowerpecker, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker, Black-fronted White-eye, Mountain white-eye, Streak-headed Dark-eye, Mountain Tailorbird, Purple-winged Roller, Sulphur-bellied Whistler, Crimson Sunbird, Black Sunbird, Olive-back sunbird, Sooty-headed bulbul, Hair crested drongo, Yellow-billed Malkoha, Ashy Woodpecker, Grey Wagtail, Yellow Wagtail, Chestnut Munia, Scaly-breasted munia, Rusty-breasted Cuckoo, Brown-cuckoo dove, superb-fruit dove, Sulawesi black-Pigeon, Sulawesi-hanging parrot, Black Eagle, Black Kite, Osprey, Spotted Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon,  Chinese-sparrow hawk, Japanese sparrow hawk. During our stay here also we have a great chance of finding Purple swamphen, White-browed crake, White-breasted waterhen, Common Moorhen, Javan pond heron on the Lake Tondano.

Day 6 Tomohon birding– Kotamobagu
After spending birding in the highlands this morning we are drive to Kotamobagu, a small town located on the western part of Manado.

Day 7- 8 Bogani Nani Wartabone park birdwatching
Much of the forest around Dumoga Bone Nani Wartabobe National Park has been cleared and large numbers of people have settled in the park recently year. Our main target here is the unique and strange Maleo bird in Maleo nesting ground and one morning we will birding at Gunung Ambang.

Day 9: Kotamobagu – Birdwatching Gunung Ambang – Manado
We shall leave early morning at 5 am to Gunung Ambang, drive about one hour to the location. Here we will hike to find some Sulawesi’s bird endemic. Lunch at a local house then after that we will depart to Manado for an overnight stay.

Day 10: Manado Birding– next destination
Morning birding around the hotel then transfer to the airport for your next destination. End.

Kindly please contact Sultan Birding Indonesia
Birdwatching North Sulawesi, Birding North Sulawesi, Birding Tangkoko, Birdwatching Tangkoko, Birding Gunung Mahawu, birdwatching Gunung Mahawu, Bird photography North Sulawesi, Birdwatching Dumoga bone, birding Dumoga bone, birdwatching Gunung Ambang, birding Gunung Ambang, birdwatching Manado, Birding Manado

  • Location: TANGKOKO PARK, GUNUNG MAHAWU, MALEO NESTING GROUND, DUMOGA BONE AND GUNUNG AMABNG
  • Availability: Set Departure
  • Tour Type: Multi-Day Tour
  • Tour Focus: Birds
  • Group Size: Maximum 6 people
  • Duration: 10 Days / 9 Nights
  • Best Time: Throughout The Year
  • Pace: Challenging
  • Arrival In: MANADO airport, NORTH SULAWESI of Indonesia 
  • Depart From: MANADO airport,  NORTH SULAWESI of Indonesia 

What is included?

  • English Speaking Bird Guide from Day 1 to Day 10
  • Bottled Water Throughout the Trip
  • Snacks Throughout the Trip
  • Mangrove boat Trip
  • Meals From Breakfast on Day 2 to Breakfast on Day 10
  • All Lodging (Double Occupancy)
  • Entrances to Parks and Reserves
  • Local guides at many of the sites visited.
  • Transport From Airport Pickup to Airport Drop-off.

What is not included?

  • Insurance
  • Alcoholic Beverages
  • Airfare to Indonesia ( Jakarta ), Internal Airfare: Jakarta – Manado.
  • Laundry
  • Tips
  • Anything that is not included in “What is included

Payment Term and Condition

We require a minimum of 50% deposit payment to confirm your booking, we cannot guarantee your booking until this has been received. Bookings will be held for 7 days to allow the client time to send a deposit payment. We reserve the right to release the booking if the deposit is not received within 7 days of the booking being made. Changes of dates to bookings after the deposit has been made can be done but will be subject to availability.

Cancelation: Deposit payment No Refund, No show – full payment charge.

Full Payment, The full payment will be required at least 30 days prior to your date of arrival. The invoice amount has to be paid in full, net of all transfer costs and bank charges.

 

 

Best of North Sulawesi’s Endemic birds with ten days birding covering hot birding sites including Dumoga Nani Wartabone National Park, Gunung Ambang Reserve, Maleo breeding Center, Gunung Mahawu Reserve, and Tangkoko Nature Reserve. North Sulawesi provides the adventurous with some of the richest ornithological experiences to be found anywhere in the world, for this one of the most biologically diverse and endemic-rich areas on earth.  We design this is a special itinerary for those who want to see the many exciting endemics of Sulawesi. During our trip, we will be birding on Wallacea’s line which is so very different from that of mainland Southeast Asia. On this trip you will visit four of Sulawesi’s fine forest reserves, North Sulawesi covering area of Tangkoko Nature Reserve, Gunung Mahawu Nature Reserve, and Dumoga Bone Park, Our exciting birding trip begins at Tangkoko Park. We will see our first exciting the wonderful lowland forest where Lilac cheeked kingfisher, Green-backed kingfisher, Sulawesi-dwarf kingfisher, Great-billed kingfisher, Ochre-bellied Boobook, Sulawesi scops owl, Sulawesi-hawk eagle, and highly-vocal Red-knobbed hornbill. We will travel next to the endemic montane of Gunung Mahawu here we will have a chance to spot the Scaly-breasted Kingfisher, Isabelline bush-hen, and much more. At Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park, Tambun, and Gunung Ambang, we will hope to find the extraordinary Maleo as well as other exciting endemics including Matinan flycatcher, Speckled Boobook.

Please book your North Sulawesi Birding Tour in advance to ensure availability. Kindly send us your inquiry to info@sultan-birding.com or sultanbirdingtours@gmail.com or using the form below

12 + 14 =

NORTH SULAWESI BIRDING TRIP REPORT
What a wonderful seven days birding in Sulawesi, thanks to Monal & Anes.
I was met at 11:30 pm on the 5 July at Manado Airport after a long day of flights and delays and amongst the sea of faces shouting “Taxi, taxi, you want taxi?”…..there was Anes holding that magic piece of paper “Welcome Fiona”. I was then greeted by Monal (Sultan Birding Tours owner/manager/ head guide) with the best, warm, and welcoming handshake ever. I then met my guide for the week, Anes Pianaung.

After a few hours of sleep we departed the next morning to Tomohon where we spent several hours birding in Gunung Mahawu; scaly breasted kingfisher, Sulawesi Myzomela, citrine flycatcher, flowerpeckers, and sunbirds. I was in bird heaven!

Our afternoon involved a long drive through villages, rice fields, and mostly coconut plantations to Kotamobagu where we spent two nights. We saw the maleo at Tambun and were present for the release of two maleo chicks. What incredible little precocious birds, hatching fully feathered and able to fly off into the jungle. We spent the day at Tambun and Ranger Max was extremely helpful and passionate about his National Park and the birdlife.

The next day we hiked in Gunung Ambang and the highlights were the purple bearded bee-eater and the Sulawesi pygmy woodpecker. It was a wonderful few hours in the jungle. That afternoon we drove back through Manado to Tangkoko where we spent four nights at the Tangkoko Hill Cottages. The accommodation was fabulous. It was comfortable, the food was superb (the best food in Indonesia) and the owner, Franky, was very helpful.

There were so many highlights during my time in Tangkoko but the no 1. highlight for me was the red knobbed hornbill. One morning we heard that heavy wing beat as he flew in and then landed on the feeding perch next to the nest hollow where his partner was incubating. He regurgitated over 200 fruits, one by one. It was a joy to witness. I loved it so much, we returned a few days later. I waited for 2.5hrs, under that grand fig tree, and finally, he flew in but this time he had only eight fruits to feed. He preened and rested afterward before flying off in search of more food.

My guide Anes was fantastic and extremely knowledgeable. He was also very adaptable which I appreciate very much. I suggested, one morning, that I have a “bird-free” afternoon. Anes initially looked rather shocked but understood that I was very keen to spend time following the macaques (Macca nigra) and to also spend time with the researchers. I had a wonderful two hours observing their behavior as I followed these gorgeous creatures whilst they foraged in the jungle. Anes also took me to see the Tarsus one evening, and we also spotted cuscus on several occasions.

My seven days with Sultan Birding Tours was just brilliant and I would recommend it to anyone. Thank you so much to Monal and Anes.

Fiona Hume

Birder, Tasmania

Just back from a week’s trip to North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Sulawesi is unique because of its high No. of endemic bird species, 95 out of totally 478 species that can be found there. One of the most colorful endemics is the Sulawesi Knobbed Hornbill (Aceros cassidix), which is endemic and classified as vulnerable.

As they depend on large trees for breeding, they are particularly vulnerable to forest loss, as they are nesting in natural holes up to 50 above ground in tall forest trees. Hunting is also a serious threat 

Thank you to Monal Capellone of Sultan Birding Tours, for a very productive trip

Bjorn Ollesen

Wildlife Photographer, Singapore

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