20 Oct 2022

Exploring Manokwari and Birding in the Arfak Mountains

It was another early start for our birding enthusiasts with breakfast on board Heritage Adventurer, now anchored in the natural harbour of Manokwari, at 0330 hours before piling into a convoy of 4WDs to explore the higher elevations of the Arfak Mountains.

Those opting for a sleep in enjoyed a leisurely breakfast from 0700 hours before exploring the hustle and bustle of Manokwari, gateway to the Arfak Mountains and capital of the West Papua Province. Highlights included the sensory overload of the local markets, taking in the incredible harbour views from atop a city lookout and walk through the lush tropical lowland forests of the Birds Head Peninsula.

The mercury began falling as our convoy snaked its way 1,000-metres above sea level into the Arfak Mountains, renowned for its biological diversity, giving guests the opportunity to discover the cool, high elevation forests of the region.

Splitting into small groups, we made our ways to blinds near the astonishing architecturally-constructed bowers of the Vogelkop Bowerbird and its impressive collection of blue objects and lek sights of the Magnificent and Superb Birds of Paradise and Western Parotia. Rainforest walks following our "blind sessions" revealed other treasurers of the forest as well including Brown Sicklebill, Birdwing Butterflies and a tiny Nightjar Owl roosting under the cover of a broad banana leaf.

Our Arfak adventures complete, we left the refreshing chill of our quiet mountain retreat to navigate the raucous bustle of Manokwari's streets bound for our trusty expedition vessel and a thrilling welcome at the port where curious children jumped off the wharf into the water to wave off our Zodiacs.