Manusela National Park: Birding Tour [PICTURES] (6D/5N)

Early breakfast and head to the port of Tulehu, to catch the fast ferry heading to Amahay port, the main port of Seram Island. The morning boat departed at 9 AM and the ride will be around 1.30-2 hours, depends on the condition of the sea. Arriving in Amahay port, your car transfer is waiting to begin the journey. We will make a short stop in Masohi, the center of the island for lunch and then continuing the journey ahead.

Known as one of the most genuine place for birdwatching, the drive to the gate of Manusela National Park will be around 4 hours, passing the villages and rain forest. During the trip, it is quite interesting as you can already view numbers of birds including the endemic birds. After arriving at Muriti Hill, we will prepare tent for overnight. This is the best way to start the day as early as possible for birdwatching.

Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

Accommodation: Tent

Start the day early to get the best opportunities and lights for birdwatching. The park is an ecosystem compound consists of beach, rainforest, swamp, and mountains. Here, you can see over 190 species of birds in which 14 of them are endemics and rare birds of Mollucas, including Parrot Bayan, Purple-Necked Kasturi, Seram Friarbird and Salmon-crested Cockatoo.

In addition, the thick jungle of the park is also home to 38 mammal species, such as Seram bandicoot, Moluccan flying fox, Seram flying fox and Manusela mosaid tailed rat. Some more are considered threatened.

When the time is permitted, we will complete our tour by visiting Manusela Village, Ilena Maraina Village, Selumena Village, and Kanike Village to see the life of indigenous people who inhabit the national park area. They are spread across four villages, namely Communities. The villagers believe that the mountains within the park area always protect and preserved them.

Late afternoon, we will leave the national to head to Sawai, around 2-3 hours ride from Masohi. Arriving in the fisherman village of Saleman, you finally will get a small boat (10 minutes) to get to your accommodation for the night.

Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Saleman

Wake up with a million dollar scene! Your accommodation located at the North-Central of Pulau Seram, right in the middle of the Bay of Sawai with Manusela National Park as the background. The bungalows built over the water with breathtaking sight.

Enjoy your morning breakfast while preparing your journey to Pulau Sawai, just offshore from Sawai. The island is filled with coconut and  mangrove, and although it does not look promising, at the eastern part of the island you may spot few pairs of Forsten’s Scrubfowl.

A little further to the east there is also a small island where you can do birdwatching and may see Pied Imperial Pigeon, Little Black and Little Pied Cormorant, as well as Nicobar Pigeon. On the way back, you will pass over the mangrove area where you may spot Sacred Kingfisher, and crocodile, if you are lucky.

Passing a tiny sand islet, you may spot the Olive Honeyeater as well as Greater Crested and roseate Terns.

Enjoy the rest of the day for snorkeling or simply relaxing while waiting for the sunset. After that, we return to the resort.

Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Saleman

Have a relaxing breakfast at the accommodation and get ready to leave Ora Beach Bay. On the way back from Sawai to Amahay port, you will pass forests, degraded forest as well as farmland. If time permitted, you may stop for more birdwatching anywhere along the way. Seram Oriole, Mollucan Straling, Long-Crested Muna, Plae-grat Cucko-shrike, and many more.

After that, we will catch the fastboat departed at 14.00 and arrive in Tulehu port in Ambon at 15.30. A car will pick you up and transfer to your hotel for check in.

Meals: Breakfast – Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Ambon

After breakfast at the hotel, at indicated time our driver will take you to the airport to catch the flight to your next destination. Thank you for enjoying Manusela birding tour with us. Sampai jumpa!

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: –