Tour Leader: Dušan Brinkhuizen
Tour Leader: Glen Valentine
Tour Leader: Dušan Brinkhuizen
Tour Leader: Glen Valentine
Tour Leader: Nigel Redman
Tour Leader: Paul Varney
Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated and dates may change* Internal flights or ferry between Ambon & Buru are included in the tour price.
Tour price (Per person): USD4,500 * GBP3,580 * EUR4,314 * AUD7,198
Can be linked with: Indonesia - Remote West Papuan Islands Cruise 2026
Our Buru Extension explores a beautifully forested island hosting 20 currently recognised endemic species plus several very distinctive, endemic subspecies and localised regional endemics. Some of Buru’s most prized species include Buru Green Pigeon, Buru Racket-tail, Moluccan Masked Owl, Buru Boobook, Buru Dwarf Kingfisher, Buru Thrush, Buru Monarch, Buru Cuckooshrike, Buru Honeyeater and Tawny-backed Fantail among many others, and if we are very lucky, we may even find the strange, once mythical and reputedly nocturnal Black-lored Parrot! Before the tour is finally over, we will have a chance to search for some birds on Ambon, targeting the endemic Ambon White-eye and an evening excursion to Haruku Island for the amazing spectacle of Moluccan Megapodes attending their breeding area.
Endemics: Buru Green Pigeon, Buru Mountain Pigeon, Buru Racket-tail, Black-lored Parrot, Blue-fronted Lorikeet, Buru Dwarf Kingfisher, Buru Cuckooshrike, Buru Golden Bulbul, Black-eared Oriole, Buru Thrush, Black-faced Friarbird, Buru Honeyeater, Black-tipped Monarch, Streak-breasted Jungle Flycatcher, Flame-breasted Flowerpecker, Buru White-eye, Tawny-backed Fantail, Madanga Additional targets: Dusky (Forsten’s) Megapode, Hantu (Buru) Boobook, Moluccan King Parrot, Red Lory, Moluccan Masked Owl, Moluccan Cuckoo, Moluccan Scops Owl, Great-billed Parrot, South Moluccan Pitta, Claret-breasted Fruit Dove, Metallic Pigeon, Chestnut-backed (Buru) Bush Warbler, Island (Buru) Leaf Warbler, Wakolo (Buru) Myzomela, Cinnamon-chested Flycatcher, Moluccan Flycatcher, Pale Cicadabird, Drab Whistler, (Buru) Spangled Drongo, Mountain White-eye & Black-faced Munia
tropical lowland evergreen & semi-evergreen rainforest, montane forest, woodland, savanna, scrub, coastline
hot and humid with tropical showers in the lowlands, cooler in the mountains with showers and fog possible
8 with 1 Rockjumper leader / 14 with 2 Rockjumper leaders
Moderate, suitable for most birding / wildlife interest levels. Many early starts & late endings to the day since the tour operates during the austral summer. Several night birds to be found. Hot & humid conditions throughout, coupled with low-density birding. Most island birding sessions are optional, so one can stay on the vessel and relax instead.
Comfortable to very comfortable. The rooms on the ship are somewhat on the small side with limited storage room. Otherwise, everything on board is extremely comfortable & well organised.
Mostly moderate but varying from challenging at times to easy & rewarding. Many target species do show well. However, mostly forested habitat coupled with low density means that birding can be slow /
80 - 90
Ranges from very good to challenging, depending on habitat & situation. Some dedicated hides at bird-of-paradise display leks provide for superb photography. Mostly rewarding / worthwhile.
Both my husband and I found Lev to be an excellent guide. He was both personable and knowledgeable. I especially appreciated his calm demeanor when I was unable to immediately get on a bird in the field. His photographic skills also assisted in occasionally clinching an ID of a far-off bird. And, I and others on the Tour appreciated his willingness and ability to digiscope special birds - to be be later airdropped with each other! Lev is a real, and multi-faceted, gem.
Glen and Paul did a fantastic job on this tour. Glen is an excellent birder, guide and a wonderful personality. This is the second trip I have done with Glen and hope to join many more in the future.
This was a fabulous tour! Living on the Seahorse and going ashore each day to explore, in many cases, remote and under-birded locations was a truly exciting and wonderful experience. In addition, it was a fabulous and memorable experience to have Glen and Keith Valentine as leaders. They teamed seamlessly and ensured that everyone had a wonderful and got on to the birds. Oh, and of course, the sight of at least 4 male Wilson's Birds-of-Paradise displaying to multiple females was the stuff of dreams! Truly spectacular! And the local guides and drivers were all great, not forgetting the Skipper and crew of the Seahorse! The Buru extension for the Madanga and some of the owls was also so memorable, as were the few days in West Papua. All things considered, a truly wonderful and memorable tour!
Glen and Keith Valentine worked seamlessly together to make this one of the best Rockjumper trips! The logistics went well, local guides were great, and the boat was quite comfortable and offered good food and variety. Best of all, the birds were plentiful and everyone got lifers galore. The bros Valentine did everything possible to be sure that everyone got onto the birds and they worked tirelessly doing so. I would travel with either or both of them anywhere, thanks guys!
Expert guiding by Keith and Glen Valentine, aided by fabulous local talent, ensured we saw the maximum number of endemics and other birds and mammals. Perhaps more importantly, these two brothers enjoyed their time together and provided a warm, friendly and caring environment in which we all had a good time with lots of laughs, and looked out for each other to ensure everyone got on the birds and did not falter on a tough hike or challenging car ride.
Indonesia - Buru Extension II 2024 - November 2024
Indonesia - Remote West Papuan Islands Cruise II 2024 - November 2024
Indonesia - Remote West Papuan Islands Cruise I 2024 - October 2024
Indonesia - Sumatra & Java 2024 - August 2024
Indonesia - Lesser Sundas Endemics 2024 - August 2024
Indonesia - Bali Birding Extension 2024 - August 2024
Indonesia - Sulawesi & Halmahera: Wallacean Endemics 2024 - July 2024
Indonesia - Highlights of the East: Sulawesi, Moluccas & Papua 2024 - July 2024
Indonesia - Buru Extension II 2023 - November 2023
Indonesia - Remote West Papuan Islands Cruise II 2023 - November 2023
Indonesia - Buru Extension I 2023 - November 2023
Indonesia - West Papua: Arfak Extension 2023 - October 2023
Indonesia - Remote West Papuan Islands Cruise I 2023 - October 2023
Indonesia - Remote West Papuan Islands Cruise IV 2023 - October 2023
Indonesia - Buru Extension III 2023 - October 2023
Indonesia - Kai Islands Extension 2023 - September 2023
Indonesia - Banda Sea Cruise 2023 - August 2023
Indonesia - Allanson - Flores Endemics 2023 - August 2023
Indonesia - Sulawesi & Halmahera: Wallacean Endemics (Small Group) 2023 - July 2023
Indonesia - Highlights of the East: Sulawesi, Moluccas & Papua II 2023 - July 2023