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Indonesia - Sulawesi & Halmahera: Wallacean Endemics (Small Group)

© Scaly-breasted Kingfisher by David Hoddinott
Indonesia - Sulawesi & Halmahera: Wallacean Endemics (Small Group) 2027

15 Jul 2027 - 30 Jul 2027 (16 days)

USD8,495 1 SPACE AVAILABLE

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Tour Leader: Julian Parsons

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Tour Price (Per person): USD8,495 (GBP6,518 * EUR7,614 * AUD12,381)

Single Supplement: USD570 (GBP437 * EUR511 * AUD831)

Flight costs: USD850 (GBP652 * EUR762 * AUD1,239)

Indonesia - Sulawesi & Halmahera: Wallacean Endemics (Small Group) 2028

13 Jul 2028 - 28 Jul 2028 (16 days)

USD8,600 SPACES AVAILABLE

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Tour Leader: Stephan Lorenz

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Tour Price (Per person): USD8,600 (GBP6,599 * EUR7,708 * AUD12,534)

This tour pairs with: Indonesia - Bali Birding Extension 2028

Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated, and dates may change*

Indonesia - Sulawesi & Halmahera: Wallacean Endemics (Small Group) 2029

12 Jul 2029 - 27 Jul 2029 (16 days)

USD9,100 SPACES AVAILABLE

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Tour Leader: Julian Parsons

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Tour Price (Per person): USD9,100 (GBP6,982 * EUR8,157 * AUD13,263)

This tour pairs with: Indonesia - Bali Birding Extension 2029

Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated, and dates may change*

Nestled within the tropical waters of Wallacea, Sulawesi and Halmahera are among the most distinctive and rewarding birding destinations in the Indonesian archipelago. Their long isolation and position between the Asian and Australasian biogeographic regions have produced an extraordinary concentration of endemic and range-restricted birds, many of which occur nowhere else on Earth.

Our tour begins in the North Moluccan “Spice Islands”, travelling from the spectacular volcanic island of Ternate across to Halmahera. Here, we explore the lowland forests and foothills around Foli, Gunung Uni-uni and Gunung Roni in search of the island’s exceptional endemic avifauna. Foremost among our targets is the remarkable Standardwing, an extraordinary bird-of-paradise that we hope to watch displaying at its traditional lek. Other possibilities include Ivory-breasted and North Moluccan Pittas, Goliath Coucal, Azure Dollarbird, Purple-winged Roller and an impressive variety of parrots, fruit doves and kingfishers.

We then continue west to northern Sulawesi, where the forests of Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park, Tangkoko National Reserve and Gunung Mahawu provide access to a wide range of habitats, from luxuriant lowland rainforest to montane forest. These renowned birding areas support many of Sulawesi’s most sought-after species, including the extraordinary Maleo, Sulawesi Pitta, Purple-bearded Bee-eater, Knobbed and Sulawesi Hornbills, and numerous endemic kingfishers, owls, parrots and passerines.

After crossing to South Sulawesi, we visit the limestone forests of the Karaenta area before flying onward to Central Sulawesi and the highlands of Lore Lindu National Park. The tour concludes among Lore Lindu’s cool montane forests, home to an entirely different suite of endemics, including the monotypic Hylocitrea and several highly localised species restricted to Sulawesi’s central mountains.

Covering Halmahera and the northern, southern and central regions of Sulawesi, this comprehensive itinerary samples an exceptional diversity of landscapes and habitats. In doing so, it maximises our chances of encountering well over one hundred range-restricted species and offers an unforgettable introduction to the remarkable birds, forests, islands and volcanic scenery of Wallacea.

Top Birds

Hylocitrea; Maleo; Geomalia; Malia; Standardwing; Sulawesi & Ivory-breasted Pittas; Knobbed & Sulawesi Hornbills; Moluccan & Sulawesi Scops Owls; Sulawesi Masked Owl; Ochre-bellied, Cinnabar, Halmahera & Speckled Boobooks; Sulawesi & Satanic Nightjars; Purple-bearded Bee-eater; Purple-winged Roller; Moluccan Goshawk; Sulawesi Serpent Eagle; Isabelline Bush-hen; Yellow-flanked Whistler; Black-faced & Pale-headed Munias; Black‐ringed White‐eye; Sulawesi Ground Dove; Grey-headed & Silver-tipped Imperial Pigeons; Sombre Pigeon; Sulawesi Babbler; Fiery-browed Starling; Pale-bellied Myna; Sulawesi Myzomela; Sulawesi & Red-backed Thrushes; Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker; Lilac, Scaly-breasted, Green-backed & Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfishers (amongst 12 species of possible kingfishers); Matinan Blue Flycatcher; Sulawesi Streaked Flycatchers; Ashy Woodpecker; Yellow-breasted & Golden-mantled Racket-tails.

Top Mammals

Celebes Crested, Moor & Tonkean Macaques; Spectral Tarsier; Bear Cuscus; Sulawesi Dwarf Squirrel; Montane & Lowland Long-nosed Squirrels.

Habitats Covered

montane and lowland forests, volcanic mountains, rice paddies, rivers, islands, beaches

Expected Climate

mostly hot to humid with cooler nights and mornings in the highlands

Max Group Size

6 with 1 Rockjumper leader & local birding leader

Tour Pace & Walking

DIFFICULT: This is a high-intensity “mega” tour designed for passionate listers and serious birders who enjoy a fast-paced schedule. Due to its demanding nature, it’s not recommended for avid photographers, inexperienced birders, or anyone with mobility or health limitations.

This is an intensive tour involving several early starts, long birding days, night-birding sessions and some demanding travel days with lengthy drives, boat transfers and domestic flights. Most walking is moderate, although trails may be muddy, uneven or steep in places.

Accommodation

Accommodation is mostly comfortable, although the guesthouses in the Subaim and Lore Lindu areas are simple but functional. Hot running water is not available at every property

Ease of Birding

Moderate to difficult. Much of the birding takes place in forest, where many targets occur at low density or are shy, unobtrusive, canopy-dwelling or most active around dawn and dusk. Finding certain

Number of Species Expected

+-240 (with over 80 possible endemics!)

Photographic Opportunities

Photography can be rewarding, particularly at feeding stations and for larger forest birds, parrots, hornbills and mammals. However, this is not a dedicated photography tour, and many targets occur in

What our clients say about us

Lev Frid
EL, Indonesia 2022

This was an adventure to be sure. The places we traveled were indeed remote and with the exception of larger cities like Ambon & Sorong inhabited by few people. This was my first trip to Indonesia and was an adventure to even get to Ambon. However, the Indonesian people must be the kindest most helpful people in the world. The boat was lovely and this amazing trip had so many interworking pieces -- moving from the Indo Seamore to the shore for the next adventure, disembarking at various kinds of dock, piers, rocks, etc, meeting up with our vehicles for rides up into the hills -- everything worked like clockwork. We saw so many fabulous birds thanks to our super guides, David Hoddinott and Lev Frid. The two guides were so helpful and informative; I would gladly travel with either of them or both in the future. However, I have to say that this trip was just about at the limit of my ability. I would never have seen the birds I did without the help of David & Lev and our various local guides and drivers. I think only Rockjumper could have pulled this tour off.

Glen Valentine
JS, Indonesia - Sulawesi & Halmahera: Wallacean Endemics (Small Group) 2026

The tour was wonderful, even though I had some physical/health issues on the trip. The guides were great, with a special shout out to Rohman and Albert, plus the great food by Annie. Glen was excellent, very patient and persistent in getting us on the birds. The trip met my expectations for the birds, but that last glorious morning at Lore Lindu was special, with great looks at Geomalia and even a quick view of Malia.

Glen Valentine
WG, Indonesia - Buru Extension II 2025

Oh my goodness, Glen is such a terrific guide! It was clear to us that he was quite ill much of the time, but he never flagged in his dedication to getting us on every bird. What a trooper! I feel very fortunate that I was able to get on this tour.

Glen Valentine
DB, Indonesia - Buru Extension I 2025

Glen and Dusan are excellent guide and a pleasure to travel with. The birding was difficult at times but I really enjoy this type of birding. The birds with were able to find and we found most were very special birds and each one was a trill to see. I really enjoy learning from Dusan and Glen. We plan to tour with both of them again in the future.

Glen Valentine
AR, Indonesia - Remote West Papuan Islands Cruise II 2025

What an adventure! Glen and Dusan were great guides and made a good team-very knowledgable and good at making sure everyone gets on the birds. Even though most of the clients on this trip were highly experienced birders, I never felt like a second class citizen as a less experienced birder. The BOP displays exceded my expectations. I loved the liveaboard boat and crew. Shita did a great job with complicated ground logistics. My dietary restrictions were very well accommodated. I always felt safe and well cared for.

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Route Map

Tour Route Map