New Guinea Endemic Families [19th – 24th July 2019]

This short tour 6 day is designed to target at least one member of all 7 endemic bird families of PNG – Crested & Tit Berrypecker, Blue-capped Ifrit, Mottled Berryhunter, Wattled Ploughbill, Lesser Melampitta, Crested & Loria’s Satinbird & Fan-tailed Berrypecker. Visiting just two areas, both close to Mt Hagen this tour give you a good chance of cleaning up on the current New Guinea Bird families in one surgical strike.

This is not a general birding tour and is set up for specific results. Although a number of other birds, including several birds of paradise will undoubtedly be seen, the priorities are members of each of the endemic families.  Because of this it is not recommended for the more general birder. However, the same destinations will give a very good short introduction to New Guinea birds if the itinerary is approached differently as this is a very bird rich area.

This area also has a number of options for exploring the fascinating cultural side of New Guinea.

Tour Accommodation:

Kumul Lodge is a more upmarket than usual landowner lodge made of local materials. The rooms have private bathrooms but it is still a landowner lodge. Rondon Ridge is a well appointed, comfortable, modern western style lodge.

Tour Difficulty:

Distances are not great but there is some rough walking up steep and often muddy tracks involved. Flights in and out of Mt Hagen can be affected by weather conditions especially during the wetter months of the year though rain can occur at any time.  During the winter it can get very cold. Kumul Lodge is at 2600m!

2019 Tour Cost:

AUD$4,395.00

2019 Single Supplement:

AUD$725.00

Flights ex Cairns (Approximately):

AUD$1,000.00