Destination: Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea Duration: 2 Nights / 3 Days Start: Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea End: Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea Best Time to Visit: Year-round
This optional 3-day extension complements the Endemic Bird Families Tour by exploring the outstanding birding around Port Moresby. While the Highlands provide excellent opportunities for the majority of New Guinea's endemic bird families, the lowland forests and savannahs surrounding the capital support a very different assemblage of species, making this extension an excellent addition for those wishing to experience a broader cross-section of Papua New Guinea's remarkable birdlife.
Birding will focus on the world-renowned Varirata National Park, one of the country's premier birding destinations. Here we search for an impressive variety of birds-of-paradise, pigeons, parrots, honeyeaters and forest species while also enjoying spectacular views across the surrounding rainforest and the Coral Sea. Time will also be spent exploring Pacific Adventist University, where open woodland, wetlands and grasslands support a diverse range of waterbirds, raptors and savannah specialists.
Although this extension is not essential for completing the endemic bird families targeted in the Highlands, it offers excellent opportunities to observe many iconic New Guinea birds that do not occur around Mount Hagen. Highlights may include Raggiana Bird-of-paradise, Growling Riflebird, Brown-headed Paradise Kingfisher, Hooded Pitohui, Barred Owlet-nightjar, Papuan Frogmouth, Forest Bittern and numerous colourful parrots and honeyeaters.
This extension is ideal for participants wishing to experience one of Papua New Guinea's finest lowland birding destinations while adding many additional New Guinea endemic species to their trip.
This extension starts and ends in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.