Essential Papua New Guinea – Private Birding Tour
Tailored Birding Expedition Through Papua New Guinea’s Remote Rainforests
The endemic-rich Central Highlands and magnificent Varirata National Park offer exceptional birding with rare species
8-10 Days
SUGGESTED LENGTH
May- Oct
Best time to go
$ TBA
Price From
Experience tailor-made private birding in Papua New Guinea, exploring montane, hill, and lowland forests. Witness Birds-of-Paradise, parrots, and pittas in their natural habitats with expert guides. Customise your adventure today! Discover Varirata National Park, Mount Hagen, and Brown River, where rare endemics thrive. It is ideal for photographers and passionate birders seeking immersive, flexible, and exclusive experiences.
BIRDS OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA AS ENEDIC EXPLORER SEES IT
Private birding tour in Papua New Guinea: endemics, hides, expert guides.
Papua New Guinea (PNG) is a land of extraordinary birdlife, home to over 20 species of birds of paradise and numerous regional endemics. This private birding tour is designed for serious birders and photographers, covering PNG’s most rewarding birding regions—the montane forests of Mount Hagen and the lowland and hill forests of Port Moresby.
We start our tour in Mount Hagen, in the Highlands Province, spending 4–5 nights at Kumul Lodge to explore the cloud forests that host Ribbon-tailed Astrapia, Blue Bird-of-Paradise, and Crested Satinbird. After completing our time in the Highlands, we return to Port Moresby, where we will spend a half-day at PAU before heading to Varirata National Park (2–3 full days) and an optional one-day trip to Brown River.
With expert local guides, flexible pacing, and incredible avian diversity, this tour provides an immersive and rewarding birding experience in PNG’s most productive habitats.
Arrival (1-5 Days) : Hight land Provinces
Arrival in Mount Hagen via Port Moresby
Exploring the Cloud Forests of the Western Highlands
We begin our PNG birding adventure in Mount Hagen, a region known for its mossy cloud forests, high-altitude ridges, and montane meadows at 2,800m (9,186 ft). Upon arrival, we transfer to Kumul Lodge, a world-famous birding lodge where spectacular species visit the feeders right at the veranda.
Over the next few days, we explore the surrounding forests, home to the dazzling Ribbon-tailed Astrapia, the striking Blue Bird-of-Paradise, and the elusive Wattled Ploughbill. The dense undergrowth harbours Mountain Firetail and Tit Berrypecker, while fruiting trees attract Brehm’s Tiger Parrot and Ornate Fruit-Dove.
We will also visit key birding hotspots such as Lai Valley and Murmur Pass, where paradise birds display at dawn, and spend time on quiet forest trails, scanning for Crested Satinbird, Fan-tailed Berrypecker, and Rufous-naped Bellbird. Night walks may reveal Mountain Owlet-nightjar or Papuan Boobook.
Key Species: Ribbon-tailed Astrapia, Blue Bird-of-Paradise, Lesser Bird-of-Paradise, Crested Satinbird, Brehm’s Tiger Parrot, Brown Sicklebill, Belford’s Melidectes, Mountain Firetail, Fan-tailed Berrypecker, Wattled Ploughbill, Ornate Fruit-Dove, Black-throated Robin, Friendly Fantail, Smoky Honeyeater, Papuan Lorikeet, White-winged Robin, Rufous-naped Bellbird, Mountain Mouse-warbler.
Day ( 6-9 Days) : Low Land Birding
Pacific Adventist University , Varirata NP
After a final morning of birding in Mount Hagen, we fly back to Port Moresby and spend a half-day at Pacific Adventist University (PAU) before transferring to our accommodation.
PAU’s man-made lakes, grassy woodlands, and eucalyptus groves make it an ideal location for waterbirds, doves, and raptors. We may see Papuan Frogmouth roosting in the trees, flocks of Radjah Shelduck and Green Pygmy Goose on the ponds, and Torresian Crows patrolling the grounds. The area is also excellent for Yellow-tinted Honeyeater, Black-backed Butcherbird, and Masked Lapwing.
Varirata National Park, located at 600–1,000m (1,970–3,280 ft), offers some of PNG’s best birding. The park’s tropical rainforest, montane mist forest, and dry eucalyptus woodland create a unique mix of bird species.
Each morning, we visit a lek site to witness Raggiana Birds-of-Paradise performing elaborate displays, one of PNG’s greatest wildlife spectacles. The well-maintained trails also provide access to Jewel Babblers, Hooded Pitta, and Growling Riflebird, while towering trees host Blyth’s Hornbill, Black-capped Lory, and Yellow-billed Kingfisher.
We spend 2–3 full days in the park, covering different habitats to maximize sightings of kingfishers, monarch flycatchers, and endemic parrots.
Key Birds – PAU: Papuan Frogmouth, Orange-fronted Fruit-Dove, Pacific Black Duck, Radjah Shelduck, Comb-crested Jacana, Plumed Whistling Duck, Australasian Swamphen, Masked Lapwing, Torresian Crow, Black-backed Butcherbird, Yellow-tinted Honeyeater, Raggiana Bird-of-Paradise, Trumpet Manucode, Hooded Pitta, Jewel Babbler, Blyth’s Hornbill, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Black-capped Lory, Growling Riflebird, Barred Owlet-nightjar, Fairy Gerygone, Chestnut-backed Jewel-Babbler.
Why Choose This Tour?
Endemic Explorer Private Tours
✔ Covers montane, hill, and lowland rainforests for maximum bird diversity
✔ Private, flexible, and expertly guided experience
✔ Birding-focused itinerary with top endemic species
✔ Opportunities to observe and photograph Birds-of-Paradise in their natural habitats
Customize Your Birding Adventure!
This itinerary is highly customisable to suit your birding interests and travel schedule. Contact us to tailor a private Papua New Guinea birding experience just for you!
Tour Cost
Tour Cost Breakdown
Our private tours are highly customizable. The tour cost depends on the type of birding you plan to do, security arrangements, preferred hotels, and more. Let’s discuss—get in touch with us now!
Tour map
Terms and Conditons
Special Notes:
Papua New Guinea is one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, a destination that every nature enthusiast should visit at least once in their lifetime. However, explorers to this magical land must be prepared to face certain challenges, including:
- Potential flight cancellations or delays.
- Health risks such as malaria (ensure you take proper medication and precautions).
- Logistical issues due to the remote nature of the region.
- Unpredictable weather, as rain can occur at any time.
As a result, last-minute changes to travel plans should be expected. We recommend maintaining flexibility and a spirit of adventure to fully enjoy this extraordinary experience.
Extras & Tools
Read, Watch, or Listen About the Tour
