Sulawesi & Halmahera

27th September - 17th October 2026

Leader: Mike Nelson

Day 1:
‍After arrivals into Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport, Makassar, the hub of south Sulawesi, we continue to Malino for an overnight stay, looking out for the rare Makassar Myna on the way. Night in Malino. 

Day 2:
Morning birding in the Lompobattang mountain range. The area is most famous for Lompbattang Flycatcher, but Lompobattang Leaf Warbler has recently been split and the distinctive meridionalis Red-eared Fruit Dove, bonthaina Hylocitrea, Sulawesi Thrush, Piping Crow and Black-headed Kingfisher are also possibilities. We can also expect to see the very localised endemic Black-ringed White-eyes and to find our first of the more widespread montane endemics which typically include Sulawesi Heleia, Sulawesi Fantail and Lesser Myza. In the afternoon we return to Makassar keeping our eyes open again for Makassar Myna en-route. Night in Makassar. 

‍Day 3:
We leave early this morning to explore the limestone karst forest at Karaenta, Bantimurung–Bulusaraung National Park, searching primarily for Black-headedKingfisher and the recently described Sulawesi BrownFlycatcher. The forest is also home to several other endemics including Sulawesi and Knobbed Hornbills, White-necked Myna and Piping Crow, with occasional surprises like Sulawesi Goshawk or Short-crested Myna. If we have time, we will also check the extensive fishponds which surround Makassar where Javan Plover is possible among an excellent selection of migrant waders, before taking the short flight north to Palu in central Sulawesi. From here we head southeast to one of Indonesia’s greatest national parks – Lore Lindu – for a four night stay. 

Days 4-6:
We shall base ourselves in the nearby Sedoa Valley, making daily forays to the higher reaches of the park for some of the really special endemics of Sulawesi.
It is difficult to know where to start to describe the incredible diversity of species that inhabit the national park which is home to nearly all of Sulawesi’s remarkable endemics. The higher reaches of the park are accessible along a famed old logging road, the Anaso Trail, and home to four of the most wanted endemics; Satanic Nightjar, Geomalia, Heinrichia and one of the world’s most spectacular bee-eaters; Purple-bearded Bee-eater. The bee-eater breeds in roadside banks and often perches conspicuously, giving great views. Once again, pigeons and doves are much in evidence, with White-bellied and Grey-headed Imperial Pigeons regularly seen, as are Superb and Red-eared Fruit Doves, while the inconspicuous Sombre Pigeon is sometimes encountered. Feeding flocks often comprise several more endemics; Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker, Sulphur-belliedWhistler, Sulawesi Heleia, Hoevell’s Warbling-flycatcher, Cerulean Cuckooshrike, Pygmy Cicadabird, Sulawesi Fantail, Sulawesi Myzomela and both Lesser andGreater Myza. Flame-browed Myna frequently perched in the open atop large trees, and if we are lucky, we may find Indonesian Serin doing the same. Overhead wewill look for fast-flying Meyer’s Lorikeet and Sulawesi Racquet-tail while Sulawesi Grasshopper Warblers skulk in the understory. In the higher forests we will be searching for the inconspicuous Hylocitrea which studies show not to be at all related to the whistlers and is now placed in its own monotypic family.
Birding at a slightly lower altitude will produce a shift in bird life. Here we can find the fascinating Malia, flocks of which sometimes contain the rareSulawesi Thrush, an equally fascinating species that behaves more like ababbler than a thrush! The forest understorey is home to the rarely seenMaroon-backed Whistler, Sulawesi Jungle-flycatcher, and it’s one of the best locations for Sulawesi Swiftlet and Purple Needletail. We have further chances for the localised Piping Crow if not seen already and careful checking should find Ivory-backed Woodswallow, and perhaps the scarce Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker or Sulawesi Cicadabird. Sulawesi Serpent eagle, Sulawesi Hawk Eagle andSulawesi Honeybuzzard are all possible soaring overhead while three ofSulawesi’s elusive accipiters are present; Small Sparrowhawk, Sulawesi and Spot-tailed Goshawk.At night we can startour night-birding in earnest with Cinnabar Boobook a speciality, and Specked Boobook, Sulawesi Scops Owl and Sulawesi Masked Owl all present. Night at Sedoa Valley. 

Day 7: After a final morning in search of any missing species at Lore Lindu we return to Palu in the afternoon, stopping along the way in search of Red-backed and Barred Buttonquail, Savanna Nightjar, and the scarce Pale-headed Munia. These fields are often alive with birds and there’s also a good chance of Little Bronze Cuckoo and Lesueur’s Triller. Night in Palu. 

Day 8: Today is predominantly a travel day as we fly first to Makassar before continuing to Manado on the Minahassa peninsula of north Sulawesi. Upon arrival we will drive south-west to the town of Kotamobagu, our base for exploration for the next four nights.Night in Kotamobagu. 

‍Days 9-11:
We will explore several areas of the nearby Bogani Nani Wartabone (formerly Dumoga-Bone) National Park, including lowland forest a reason the eastern side of this extensive park. Despite large-scale deforestation around the perimeter of the park the birdlife is stll abundant and the list of possibilities is exciting. Sulawesi endemics abound, and we will be looking forAshy Woodpecker, Bay Coucal, Black-billed Koel and Sulawesi Malkoha in forest tangles. Frugivores will hopefully include White-faced Cuckoo Dove, MinahassaRacquet-tail, Ornate Lorikeet, Oberholser’s Fruit Dove, Sulawesi and Pygmy Hanging-parrots. It’s an excellent area for Sulawesi Triller, Sulawesi Cicadabird and Pied Cuckooshrike, while Sulawesi Roller is frequent in more open areas.We will make at least one visit to the nesting grounds of the unique Maleo, a large pink-hued megapode that is Sulawesi’s most famed and enigmatic species. Maleo use geothermal heat in the volcanic soil in their communal breeding grounds to incubate their eggs, and the young can fly as soon as they dig their way out of the ground after hatching! Unfortunately, Maleo eggs suffer from high predation, predominately by humans, but it is hoped that on-going conservation work should help protect the birds at this site. The more open habitat here is ideal for Sulawesi Roller, White-necked Myna and Short-crested Myna while grassy habitats throughout this area might produce the skulking Sulawesi Bush-hen. An excellent complement of raptors is again present; Sulawesi Serpent Eagle, Sulawesi Hawk Eagle andSulawesi Honey Buzzard are regular as they soar on thermals, Spotted Harriers a requite common in open fields, whereas Vinous-breasted Sparrowhawk, Spot-tailed and Sulawesi Goshawk require considerable luck. Once again night-birding can be productive and we have a chance of encountering Sulawesi Scops Owl, SulawesiMasked Owl, and both Speckled and Ochre-bellied Boobooks.
To the north of Kotamobagu lies another national park, Gunung Ambang. This park gives us access to submontane forests that are equally rich in bird life.Though forest clearance is a severe threat to the park, some excellent tracts remain, holding some of Sulawesi’s least known and rarest species. They include another form of the recently described Cinnabar Boobook and the rare Matinan Warbling-flycatcher, known only from the hill forests of the Minahasa Peninsula. Other species possible are the unobtrusive Sombre Pigeon, ScalyKingfisher and occasionally Red-backed Thrush. Nights in Kotamobagu.

‍Day 12:
After a final morning seeking out anything we have missed thus far in the Kotamabagu area we will return to Manado in time for lunch then in the afternoon continue to the nearby Tangkoko-Dua Saudara National Park in time for afternoon birding and check in for a two-night stay.

‍Day 13:The wonderful park of Tangkoko with its forest rising from coastal to submontane, supports a largerange of the region’s endemic birds. A highly sought set of endemic kingfishers are likely; Sulawesi Lilac, Green-backed and Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfisher adding to an already impressive kingfisher list. The park boasts the highest density of the brilliant Knobbed Hornbill on Sulawesi and the uncommon Sulawesi Hornbill also occurs, sometimes following troops of Sulawesi Crested Macaque, which patrol the forest like miniature Gorillas! A variety of other endemics are possible; Ornate Lorikeet, both Sulawesi and Minahassa Racquet-tails, Silver-tipped Imperial Pigeon, White-faced Cuckoo Dove, Sulawesi Malkoha and Ashy Woodpecker to name just a few. Close attention to the forest understory could produce skulkers such as the gorgeous Red-backed Thrush,Sulawesi and Hooded Pittas, Tabon Scrubfowl and Stephan’s Dove. In more open areas we have further chances to find Silver-tipped, White-bellied and Grey-headedImperial pigeons, White-rumped Cuckooshrike and Sulawesi Roller.A relaxing afternoon boat trip out into the nearby mangroves is a great place for the hefty endemicGreat-billed Kingfisher, with White-rumped Cuckooshrikes often present too. On one evening we will visit a roost tree for one of the smallest primates in the world; the‘Spectral’ Tarsier. This incredible looking species with its endearing large eyes was the inspiration for Steven Spielberg’s “ET” and we will watch in amazement as they spring from branch to branch.  Night-time forays should prove rewarding, with the surrounding grasslands and secondary forest home to four nocturnal endemics; Ochre-bellied Boobook, Sulawesi Scops Owl, Sulawesi Masked Owls and Sulawesi Nightjar. Night at Tangkoko. 

‍Day 14:
‍A final morning at Tangkoko before transferring to Tomohon for an overnight stay in the pleasantly cool Minahasa highlands above Manado.
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Day 15:
‍Morning visit to the remnant forest patches of Gunung Mahawu. Here we have further chances at some elusive species we might still be missing including Scaly Kingfisher, perhaps the most elusive of the endemic Sulawesi kingfishers, Sulawesi Pitta, Sulawesi Bush-hen, Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker and Sulawesi Myzomela. After birding we head to Sam Ratulangi International Airport, Manado for our flight to Ternate crossing Weber’s line and enter the Australasian avifaunal region as we do so. From Ternate we take a chartered speedboat across the bay to Sidangoli and from there transfer to our friendly guesthouse in Sofifi. Night at Sofifi. 
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Day 16:
‍An early start today but the effort is well rewarded as we visit an area with an active Wallace’s Standardwing at a lek site, a truly magical experience as these unique birds-of-paradise greet the rising sun by jumping up and parachuting down again, accompanied by an amazing cacophony of noise whenever females approach. After enjoying a fabulous morning here, with many endemics on offer, we switch bases for a four night stay at Subaim. 

‍Days 17-19:
‍Our time in this area will give us the opportunity to search for some of the most prized species on earth, including the fabulous Ivory-breasted Pitta. Birding in the tropical forests of Halmahera is an exhilarating experience and a whole host of island and Moluccan endemics can be expected. Parrots are a common feature of the landscape, with Umbrella Cockatoos still reasonably common, although numbers ofChattering and Violet-necked Lory are declining due to trapping of these beautiful species for the cage-bird trade. Other frugivores making use of the often-abundant fruiting trees in the area include the elusive Scarlet-breasted Fruit Dove, striking Grey-headed and cute Blue-capped Fruit Doves, Great Cuckoo Dove, while Moluccan and Cinnamon-bellied Imperial Pigeons are usually more conspicuous. North Moluccan Pitta, Halmahera Paradise Crow (a generally uniform, corvid-like bird-of-paradise), Dusky Scrubfowl, Rufous-bellied Triller, Moluccan Starling, Halmahera Friarbird, Drab and Moluccan Whistler, White-bellied and Moluccan Cuckooshrike, Halmahera and Wallacean Cicadabird, Halmahera Golden Bulbul, Halmahera White-eye, Halmahera Flowerpecker, White-naped, Moluccan and Wallacean Monarch,Moluccan Hanging Parrot, Halmahera Oriole and the aptly-named Goliath Coucal are also likely. Raptors are again much in evidence, with Varied (Grey-throated)and Halmahera Goshawks, Rufous-necked Sparrowhawk and Gurney’s Eagle all possible.  Sombre Kingfisher and Halmahera Paradise-Kingfishers usually stayed concealed within the forest whereas scanning open perches at the forest edge should find Blue-and-white Kingfisher or hopefully the ultra-rare Azure Dollarbird. At higher altitudes should findNorth Moluccan Leaf Warbler and extra chances at Moluccan King Parrot. Night-birding is a must here as we hope to spot-light the bizarre looking Moluccan Owlet-Nightjar, along with Moluccan Scops Owl and Halmahera Boobook. Nights at Subaim.

‍Day 20:
After a final morning on Halmahera in search of anything we might be missing, or enjoying repeat views of some of the endemics, in the afternoon we return to Sidangoli to take the speedboat again to Ternate for an overnight stay and a chance to reflect on a wonderful tour. Night at Ternate.

‍Day 21:
Departures from Ternate.