Indonesia: Sulawesi and Halmahera

Sulawesi
Sulawesi
Sulawesi
Sulawesi
Sulawesi
Sulawesi
Sulawesi
Sulawesi
Sulawesi
Sulawesi
Sulawesi
Sulawesi
Sulawesi
Sulawesi
Sulawesi
Sulawesi
Sulawesi
Sulawesi
Sulawesi
Sulawesi
Sulawesi
Sulawesi
Halmahera
Halmahera
Sulawesi
Sulawesi
Halmahera
Halmahera
Halmahera
Halmahera
Sulawesi
Sulawesi
Sulawesi
Sulawesi
Sulawesi
Sulawesi
Sulawesi
Sulawesi
Sulawesi
Sulawesi
Sulawesi
Sulawesi
Sulawesi
Sulawesi
Sulawesi
Sulawesi
Photo credit: Susan Myers
2025 Tour Price
$8,150
2025
Single Occupancy Supplement $610
Maximum group size eight with one WINGS leader.
Tour balances paid by check/bank transfer may carry a 4% discount

The Indonesian province of Sulawesi, formerly known as the Celebes, is the large, odd-shaped island, variously described as resembling a spider or orchid, to the east of Borneo and west of New Guinea. It has the highest number of endemic bird species of any of the Indonesian islands—arguably, more than 70 species are found nowhere else. Additionally, there is a marvelous suite of endemic mammals, reptiles, butterflies and plants. Halmahera, the largest of the Moluccas or Spice Islands, lies just a short distance to the east and has a similar odd shape but a totally different avifauna, of which a remarkable 22 are endemic.

We’ll visit four of Sulawesi’s national reserves: Tangkoko, Bogani Nani Watabone, Lore Lindu, and Tompotika. From the cool mossy cloud forests to the luxuriant lowland rainforests, our targets will include the extraordinary Maleo, a collection of endemic raptors, some cracking kingfishers, the unusual Purple-bearded Bee-eater, the colorful Knobbed Hornbill, some tricky forest dwellers like Geomalia and Great Shortwing, and some amazing endemic starlings among many others. Our jumping-off point for Halmahera is the small island of Ternate, dominated by a gently smoking volcano and the most important town of the fabled “Spice Islands.” Ternate is much drier and has more affinities with the Australasian region than with Sulawesi, but it has an equally rich selection of endemics, including the fabulous Wallace’s Standardwing, one of the strangest of the birds of paradise which we should be able to watch at a display site. We’ll also be keen to find the huge and beautiful Ivory-breasted Pitta as well as other endemics such as White Cockatoo, Goliath Coucal, Moluccan Owlet-Nightjar, and the rare Moluccan Scrubfowl. Travel in Sulawesi and Halmahera is a real adventure, and although not especially difficult, it is certainly off the beaten track! Our accommodation ranges from excellent to basic, but nearly all with private facilities; the food is excellent but not fancy; our pace is moderate with some day treks; the climate is hot and dry with a chance of rain at any time; and our travel is by four-wheel-drive vehicles and minibuses. There is no doubt that birding in Sulawesi and Halmahera is a remarkable experience.

Tour Team
Itinerary (Click to see more)
Tour Information (Click to see more)
Bird Lists (Click to see more)
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Narrative (Click to see more)
Testimonials (Click to see more)
Tour Notes

Maximum group size eight with one WINGS leader.

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