Arfak mountains nature reserve is located in the south of Manokwari city. Most of its region is still covered by tropical rainforest. A lot of species of plants and animals live in the mountains. Most visitors who travel to Arfak range are birdwatchers. In higher elevation forest, they can watch such birds as:
- Magnificent Bird of Paradise
- Western Parotia
- Black Sickle-bill
- Vogelkop Superb Bird of Paradise
- Vogelkop Bowerbird
- Black-breasted Boatbill
- Mottled Berryhunter
- Papuan Flycatcher
- Vogelkop melidectes
- Cinnamon-browed Melidectes
- Ornate Melidectes
- Arfak Honeyeater
- Mountain Fruit Dove
- Brown Cuckoo Dove
- Cinnamon Ground Dove
- Friendly Fantail
- Black Fantail
- Spotted Catbird
- Spectacled Longbill
- Wattled Brushturkey
- New Guinea White Eye
- Capped White-Eye
- Black-fronted White-Eye
- Green-back Robin
- Blue Grey Robin
- Golden Face
- Golden Monarch
- Black-winged Monarch
- Grey Wagtail
- and a lot more
In addition to birds, visitors can also see various species of insects. The ones that attract the attention of nature lovers are the birdwing butterflies whose wing-span and body size are larger than any average butterflies.
Going deeper to Arfak mountains, we can see a lot of villages of the indigenous people, beautiful sceneries and Anggi Lakes that are surrounded by steep mountains. On top of these mountains, we could find terrestrial orchids, rhododendron flowers, nepenthes, and a lot of unique plants.
Lower Montane Forest
The lower montane forest of Arfak nature reserve is also attractive to be explored. In the mornings and in the afternoons, visitors can watch Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor), Magnificent Riflebird (Ptiloris magnificus), King Bird of Paradise, Red-bellied Pitta, Hooded Pitta, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Cuscus Possum, Papuan Frogmouth, various kinds of big trees and lianas, glowing mushrooms.
Hiking Camping and Wildlife Watching
The best way to watch wild animals in the jungle of Mount Susnguakti of Arfak Mountains is by staying there for several nights. As a tourist guide, I provide tents, cooking and eating utensils that visitors can use during the rainforest tour. The tents are located near a small stream.
To watch Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor), visitors need to wake up early in the morning at 05.00. After drinking some tea or coffee and eating bread or biscuits, they need to start hiking to the birding site located approximately 30 minutes away from the basecamp. Birds of Paradise and other birds are usually active from 5.30 to 09.00. The birding trip can be continued to higher elevation area to watch King Bird of Paradise (Cicinnurus regius). The male bird has got red color on its back and wings and white color on its belly.
During the day, visitors can go hiking in the forest to see unique plants, jungle lizards, and butterflies. In rainy season, a lot of species of mushrooms grow on the ground and during dry season certain trees can be seen covered by their flowers. The exploration of the forest can be done at night to see cuscus possum, glowing mushroom, fireflies. Sometimes, the sounds of Papuan Frogmouth bird can be heard in trees.
How to get there
- Fly from your country to Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia.
- Fly from Jakarta to Manokwari city by using such domestic airlines as Sriwijaya Air, Garuda or Xpress and Batik Air.
- I will meet you at the airport and arrange your trip and guide you to Arfak mountains.
Booking
If you are interested in taking a tour to Arfak range and want me to be your guide, please, contact me by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com.