Sumarry
The Moluccas, also known as the Maluku Islands, are an Indonesian archipelago that stands out for its remarkable biodiversity. This region, situated between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, is celebrated for its diverse ecosystems, ranging from lush rainforests to coral reefs. The Moluccas are considered a biodiversity hotspot, hosting a wealth of unique and endemic species, spreads in 3 main islands; Buru, Seram, and Ambon.
The islands are particularly renowned for their avian diversity, with numerous endemic bird species, including the Moluccan King Parrot, Buru dan Seram Thrush, Madanga Pipit, Buru and Seram Boobook, Buru Green Pigeon, Seram White-eye, Ambon White-eye, Seram Masked Owl, and Salmon-crested Cockatoo. In addition to birds, the terrestrial and marine environments of the Moluccas support a rich array of flora and fauna. Unique plant species, diverse marine life, and endemic mammals contribute to the archipelago’s ecological significance.
Key Species
Ambon White-eye; Lazuli Kingfisher; Moluccan Scrubfowl; Seram Mountain-Pigeon; Salmon-crested Cockatoo; Red Lory; Blue-eared Lory; Purple-naped Lory; Moluccan King-Parrot; Moluccan Scops-Owl; Seram Boobook; Seram Masked-Owl; Seram Swiftlet; Olive Honeyeater; Seram Honeyeater; Seram Myzomela; Wakolo Myzomela; Seram Friarbird; Moluccan Cuckoo-shrike; Pale-gray Cuckoo-shrike; Black-chinned Monarch; Seram Golden Bulbul; Cinnamon-chested Flycatcher; Seram Thrush; Streaky-breasted Fantail; Drab Whistler; Seram White-eye; Rufescent White-eye; Gray-hooded White-eye; Seram Oriole; Moluccan Starling; Long-crested Myna.
Amboyna Cuckoo-dove, Great Cuckoo-dove, Buru Green Pigeon, Superb Fruit Dove, White-bibbed (Moluccan) Fruit Dove, Claret-breasted Fruit Dove, Spectacled Imperial Pigeon, Buru Mountain Pigeon, Moluccan Brush Cuckoo, Pygmy Eagle, Varied Goshawk, Lesser (Moluccan/Australian) Masked Owl, Buru Boobook, Moluccan Scops Owl, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Buru Dwarf Kingfisher, Red-breasted Pygmy Parrot, Red Lory, Rainbow Lorikeet, Eclectus Parrot, Red-cheeked Parrot, Buru Racket-tail, Black-lored Parrot, Buru (Blue-fronted) Lorikeet, Great-billed Parrot, Moluccan King Parrot, South Moluccas Pitta, Buru Honeyeater, Buru (Wakolo) Myzomela, Buru (Northern) Fantail, Tawny-backed Fantail, Buru Friarbird, Buru Oriole, Drab Whistler, Moluccan Whistler, Buru Cuckooshrike, Pale Cicadabird, Buru Spangled Drongo, Island Monarch, Buru Monarch, Buru Golden Bulbul, Madanga Pipit, Buru White-eye, Buru Leaf Warbler, Buru Grasshopper Warbler, Moluccan Starling, Buru Thrush, Buru Warbling-Flycatcher, Cinnamon-chested Flycatcher, Buru Flowerpecker, Black-bellied Sunbird.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival day – Makasar (-/-/D)
Pick up at Hasanudin International airport in Makasar. Visit Bantimurung reserve when time permit.
Stay overnight at Kalton Hotel, Maros
Day 2: Makasar - Ambon - Buru (B / L / D )
Take a morning flight to Ambon. Arrive in Ambon. Lunch at a local restaurant. Afternoon birding around Soya village to see the only endemic of Ambon; Ambon White-aye. Dinner near the harbor before get in to the Ferry. Overnight on the Ferry
Key targets: Ambon White-eye, Lazuli Kingfisher, Moluccan Cuckoo, Seram Imperial Pigeon, Claret-breasted Fruit-dove.
Day 3: Namlea - Wamlana - Birding in Bara (B / L / D )
Arrive in Namlea, Buru Island in the early morning. Having breakfast around the town then drive to Wamlana. Birding in Bara till evening.
Dinner and stay overnight at Nuzal Guest House in Wamlana
Key targets; Buru Green Pigeon, Moluccan King Parrot, Buru Bush Warbler, Superb Fruit-dove, Buru Boobook, Buru Friarbird, Moluccan Flycatcher, Buru Golden Bulbul, Buru Flowerpecker, Red Lory, Claret-breasted Fruit-dove, Spectacled Imperial Pigeon, Great Cuckoodove, Red-breasted Pygmy Parrot, South Moluccan Pitta, Moluccan Flycacther, (Buru) Masked Owl, Buru Oriole, Buru Monarch, White-naped Monarch.
Day 4 - 5: Birding in Wamlana logging track (B / L / D )
Depart early in the morning (04.00 am) from Wamlana. By 4×4 WD truck drive to Wagrahe. Full day birding at several sites on highland of Buru
Dinner and stay overnight at Nuzal Guest House in Wamlana
Key species: Madanga Pipit, Buru Raquet Tail, Buru Mountain Pigeon, Buru Jungle Flycatcher, Buru Thrush, Wakolo Myzomela, White-breasted Fruit-dove, (Buru) Island Leaf Warbler, Buru Flowerpecker, Buru Honeyeater, Black-lored Parrot, Red-breasted Pygmy Parrot, South Moluccan Pitta, Buru Boobook, Buru White-eye, Buru Cuckooshrike, Moluccan Cuckoo, Tawny-backed Fantail.
Day 6: Birding in Bara - Namlea - Ambon (B/ L / D )
Early morning birding in Bara. After lunch drive to Namlea to get the Ferry back to Ambon.
Overnight on the Ferry.
Key targets: Buru Green Pigeon (see day 3)
Day 7: Ambon – Seram (B/L/D)
Arrive early morning in Ambon. Drive to Tulehu. 2 hours by Ferry from Tulehu to Masohi. Having lunch at a local restaurant in Masohi. After lunch drive to Sawai pass the Manusela NP. Birding along the way.
Dinner and stay overnight at Lisar Bahari Guesthouse in Sawai
Key targets; Coconut Lorikeet, Seram Imperial Pigeon, Moluccan Starling, Salmon-crested Cockatoo, Ashy Flowerpecker, Seram Golden Bulbul, Seram Oriole, South Moluccan Sunbird.
Day 8 - 9 : Birding in Manusela National Park (B/L/D)
Birding in and around Manusela NP for two full days.
Stay overnight at Lisar Bahari Guesthouse
Key targets: Seram Mountain Pigeon, Rufous-necked Sparrowhawk, Seram Oriole, Seram Thrush, Slamon-crested Cockatoo, Long-crested Myna, Seram Boobook, Violet Crow, Seram Fantail, Moluccan Cuckooshrike, Black-faced Cuckooshrike, Streak-breasted Fantail, Moluccan Monarch, Moluccan Spectacled Monarch, Rufescent White-eye, Gray-hooded Heleia, Seram Grasshopper Warbler, Moluccan Starling, Cinnamon-chested Flycatcher.
Day 10: Seram - Ambon - Haruku (B/L/D)
Depart early morning from Sawai, birding along the way to Masohi. By fast Ferry back to Ambon. Arrive in Tulehu, take a speedboat cross to nearby island Haruku to get a chance to see Mollucan Scrubfowl laying their eggs in the ground, after dark.
Stay overnight at Swisbell Hotel in Ambon
Key targets: Mollucan Scrubfowl
Day 11: Ambon - Makasar - Out (B/-/-)
Take a morning flight to Makasar / Jakarta, Out
Duration : 11 Day / 10 Night
Price : USD 3780/ pax
Includes
- Car for tours and transfer / drop off to the airport
- Accommodations (Double/twin rooms)
- Boat ticket Ambon – Buru round trip
- Boat ticket Ambon – Seram round trip
- Speedboat to Haruku
- Full board Meals during the trip. Indicated (B/L/D)
- Ticket and Entrance fee/donation
- Water, Snacks and Fruits
- Refreshment
- Birding guide (English)
Excludes
- Local Flights
- Insurance
- Drinks
- Personal expenses
- Tipping