Sungai Wain Birding

Duration: 05 Days/04 Nights

Grade: Easy

The Sungai Wain Protected Forest, in the northern part of Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, is a conservation and research area teeming with diverse life forms and extraordinary tourism potential. It is a lowland forest with three forest types: marsh forest, dipterocarp forest, and riverine forest. The forest covers limited area, yet is home to many creatures rarely found elsewhere, including sun bears and no less than nine species of primates, including silvery gibbons, proboscis monkeys, orangutans, black leaf monkeys, pigtailed monkeys, and long tailed macaques. This protected forest is a relatively small patch of primary lowland forest just to the north of the large city of Balipapan in East Kalimantan. Despite its small size it is home to an impressive range of birds, including two of the most sought after Bornean endemics: Bornean Peacock-Pheasant and Borneo Ground-Cuckoo. Two other Bornean endemics, Bristlehead and Blue-headed Pitta, have been also recorded in the forest. The forest all along the trail supports loads of other lowland forest species, including Great Argus and the hard to find birds, Grey-breasted Babbler and Malaysian Honeyguide.

Day 01 ARRIVAL IN BALIKPAPAN – SUNGAI WAIN RESERVE

Meet at airport and directly driving to Sungai Wain Reserve and check in to a homestay. We will then trekking to the forest to do birdwatching with hope to see Bornean peacock-pheasant, Bornean ground-cuckoo, Malaysian honeyguide, blue-headed pitta, bristlehead, bornean wren-babbler, grey-breasted babbler, yellow-rumped flowerpecker, red bearded bee-eater, banded woodpecker, hornbills, Asian paradise flycatcher, etc. Return to the homestay for overnight. (L,D)

Day 02 SUNGAI WAIN RESERVE

Early morning we will start our full day birdwatching with hope to see the exotic birds such as Bornean peacock-pheasant, Bornean ground-cuckoo, Malaysian honeyguide, blue-headed pitta, bristlehead, bornean wren-babbler, grey-breasted babbler, yellow-rumped flowerpecker, red bearded bee-eater, banded woodpecker, broadbills, hornbills, Asian paradise flycatcher, etc. Meals and staying overnight provided at homestay. (B,L,D)

Day 03 SUNGAI WAIN RESERVE

Full day birdwatching with hope to see the exotic birds such as Bornean peacock-pheasant, Bornean ground-cuckoo, Malaysian honeyguide, blue-headed pitta, bristlehead, bornean wren-babbler, grey-breasted babbler, yellow-rumped flowerpecker, red bearded bee-eater, banded woodpecker, broadbills, hornbills, Asian paradise flycatcher, etc. Meals and staying overnight provided at homestay. (B,L,D)

Day 04 SUNGAI WAIN RESERVE  – BALIKPAPAN BAY – BALIKPAPAN

Early morning, we will do birdwatching on the forest with hope to see as many as birds. In the afternoon, we will get the boat to reach the Balikpapan bay to explore proboscis monkeys, long tailed macaques, mangrove forest, and the birds. Afterwards, driving to  the city of Balikpapan for check in to hotel. (B,L)

Day 05 DEPARTURE

Breakfast at hotel and free at your own leisure till the proper time for transferring to airport for your flight to next destination. (B)

Included:

• AC land transportation
• Motorized boats
• Accommodation based on twin share:
  03 Nights at homestay in Sungai Wain
  01 Night at 3 stars hotel in Balikpapan
• Entrance fee, donation & refreshments
• English speaking guide
• Meals as stated on program, indicated as (B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: dinner)

Excluded:

• Airfares
• Airport taxes and extra baggage fees
• Travel insurance
• Expenses incurred due to Force Majeure
• Personal expenses