Papua New Guinea’s Birds of Paradise with Mike Dilger

Typical Itinerary

1. Day 1: Depart UK

   This evening we depart the UK on an overnight flight to Singapore.

2. Day 2: Overnight in Singapore

   We arrive in Singapore late in the evening and go to our accommodation nearby, where we spend the night.

   Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Changi Airport, 1-night

3. Day 3: Depart Singapore

   In the evening, we depart Singapore on an overnight flight to Port Moresby.

4. Day 4: Arrive Port Moresby

   We arrive in Port Moresby, the capital city of Papua New Guinea, in the morning and are transferred to our accommodation, which is just a short drive away.

   After some downtime at the hotel and a spot of lunch, we head out on an excursion to the Pacific Adventist University grounds for an introduction to the birdlife of Papua New Guinea. The beautiful grounds are easy to traverse, safe and host a wide array of bird species, providing us with the perfect taster of the wildlife of this captivating country.

   Following this easygoing birdwatching session, we return to our hotel in time for dinner.

   Accommodation: Airways Hotel, 1-night

5. Day 5: Fly to Kiunga

   This morning we transfer back to the airport in Port Moresby for our domestic flight to Kiunga located in the country's western province.

   We arrive in Kiunga during the afternoon. After dropping off our bags at the hotel, we visit a lekking site for the greater bird of paradise. We hope to have the whole afternoon observing this magnificently-plumed species while also enjoying any other species that come into view. Later in the afternoon, we return to our hotel in time for dinner.

   Accommodation: Cassowary Hotel, 3-nights

6. Day 6: Birdwatching along the Fly River

   We commence with an early morning transfer to the banks of the Fly River, from which we then take a Zodiac. Navigating along the river for a couple of hours, our destination is the lekking site of the 12-wired bird of paradise, and we plan to spend as much time as possible enjoying this astonishing bird. If we have early success, we may then search for the flame bowerbird before heading back by boat to our hotel to relax for the rest of the day.

7. Day 7: Further birdwatching from Kiunga

   It's another early start today as we head out to continue birdwatching in and around Kiunga. Firstly, we plan to visit a dedicated site for the New Guinea flightless rail. We also spend the rest of the morning here observing any species as they emerge from the forest.

   We return to the hotel for lunch, before heading out for another birdwatching session. This trip will allow for another opportunity to observe the 12-wired bird of paradise, Victoria crowned pigeon and flame bowerbird.

8. Day 8: Return to Port Moresby

   If time permits this morning, we may visit the lekking site for the greater bird of paradise again before returning to the airport for our domestic flight back to Port Moresby.

   On arrival in Port Moresby, we are met and transferred to our accommodation nearby. For the rest of the day, we can join a city tour or stay at the hotel to make the most of its amenities.

   Accommodation: Airways Hotel, 1-night

9. Day 9: Fly to Mount Hagen

   This morning we catch a domestic flight to Mount Hagen in the Western Highlands of Papua New Guinea. We are met on arrival and transferred to our accommodation at Kumul Lodge, where we can sit on the balcony and observe a few of the more common species of birds of paradise.

   Later in the afternoon, we have an opportunity to experience some of the cultural traditions of Papua New Guinea's Highlands by visiting one of the local tribes to discover more about their way of life. Afterwards, we return to Kumul Lodge, where there's the opportunity for some more birding in the grounds of our accommodation. Some of the species we hope to see include the King of Saxony bird of paradise, ribbon-tailed astrapia and black sicklebill.

   Accommodation: Kumul Lodge, 1-night

10. Day 10: Birdwatching session for magnificent bird of paradise

    Early this morning, we set off after breakfast and head to Nebilyer District for some more birdwatching and to track down the magnificent bird of paradise. The males of this species are known for their particularly striking plumage, which is ornate and bizarre in equal measure. Here we hope to observe this stunning bird at its display court.

    After birdwatching in the morning, we continue to the village of Alkeana. Here, we plan to take in a traditional Sing Sing dance, which should offer a cacophony of colour and sound, before visiting one of the village's traditional houses.

    From Alkeana, we drive back to Mount Hagen before checking in at our new accommodation, which overlooks the town and the rest of the valley. Once settled in, we enjoy a fine dinner at our hotel.

    Accommodation: Rondon Ridge Lodge, 3-nights

11. Day 11: Birdwatching around Mount Hagen

    Once again, we have very early start for transfer to Kaip, where our focus switches to that of the blue bird of paradise. One of the larger birds of paradise, we try to catch up with this charismatic species while it feeds at fruiting trees, before then moving on to our next location.

    Taking a break for lunch, we carry on to Pogla, where we make use of a hide for viewing the yellow-breasted bowerbird. Not only do we hope to spot this intriguing bird, but also observe some of its unique behaviour.

12. Day 12: Birdwatching from Rondon Ridge

    This morning we spend our time on the birding trail at Rondon Ridge. Following a short drive to the head of the trail, we proceed slowly to maximise our opportunity for sightings. The trail is uneven in places and likely to be wet underfoot, so we will need stout footwear once again.

    We hope to encounter a range of species along the way, with some of the targets being the King of Saxony bird of paradise, brown sicklebill, short-tailed paradigalla and black sicklebill.

    Returning to the lodge for lunch, in the afternoon there's the opportunity to visit a local coffee plantation down in the valley to learn about this important commodity's role in the country's history and economy.

13. Day 13: Fly to New Britain

    Today, we depart Mount Hagen and fly to New Britain via Port Moresby. We land at the airport in Hoskins, and from there, we transfer to our accommodation overlooking the waters of Kimbe Bay. We arrive in the early evening in time for dinner.

    Accommodation: Walindi Plantation Resort, 3-nights

14. Day 14: Lowland forest birding

    The excursions today focus on the birds found in the lowland forests of New Britain, which are home to several endemic species. Walking through the tall forest trees, we may encounter New Britain buzzards soaring overhead, buff-faced pygmy parrots flitting amongst the foliage and Bismarck imperial pigeons perching inconspicuously on branches.

    Afterwards, we return to our accommodation on the coast, where we can relax for the rest of the day, with some further birding within the grounds.

15. Day 15: Birdwatching & snorkelling from Walindi

    In the morning, we leave at first light to board a boat to take us to Restorff, Malumalu and Schumann Islands, within Kimbe Bay. Arriving at the islands early in the morning gives us the best chance to spot the beautifully iridescent Nicobar pigeon along the beach margins. We also hope to observe grey imperial pigeon, the endemic scarlet-bibbed myzomela and large beach kingfisher here.

    The boat trip to these islands also allows us to snorkel in some of the world's most pristine reefs. The diverse array of corals here is home to a bewildering variety of fish and invertebrates, making it well worth a dip in these tropical waters.

16. Day 16: Return to Port Moresby

    After breakfast, we depart Walindi and return to Hoskins for our flight back to Port Moresby. Once we arrive in Papua New Guinea's capital city, we transfer back to our nearby hotel.

    In the afternoon, we can visit the national museum in the city, which exhibits a vast collection of tribal masks and artefacts.

    Accommodation: Airways Hotel, 2-nights

17. Day 17: Visit Varirata National Park

    Today is dedicated to exploring the famous Varirata National Park, just an hour's drive from our hotel in Port Moresby. Once at the park, we sample some of the well-maintained trails to observe the variety of birdlife found here, and a packed lunch will enable us to maximise our time here.

    Varirata National Park is considered one of the best locations to encounter the raggiana bird of paradise. A couple of the bird's lekking sites are in the park, giving us the best opportunity to glimpse this splendid bird. Afterwards, we return to the hotel for our final night in Papua New Guinea.

18. Day 18: Departure

    After breakfast, we return to Port Moresby's airport for one last time as we check in for our return flights to the UK. 

19. Day 19: Arrive UK