2025
The island of New Guinea is surely one of the world’s outstanding bird photography locations. In particular, New Guinea is home to the “otherworldly” Birds-of-Paradise and it is their distinctive and unique combination of colours, plumes, calls and courtship displays which marks out this destination as one of the avian wonders-of-the-world. Furthermore, with a supporting cast of birds that includes Owlet-Nightjars, Bowerbirds, Frogmouths, Owls, Monarchs, Fruit-Doves, Kingfishers, Honeyeaters, Pittas and Parrots, this Bird-Photo-Tour to Papua New Guinea has so much to offer the bird photographer.
Birds-of-Paradise: King of Saxony Bird-of-Paradise / Princess Stephanie’s Astrapia / Ribbon-tailed Astrapia / Brown Sicklebill / Black Sicklebill / Short-tailed Paradigalla / Lesser Bird-of-Paradise / Greater Lophorina / Magnificent Bird-of-Paradise / Blue Bird-of-Paradise / Raggianna Bird-of-Paradise
Kingfishers: Mountain Kingfisher / Azure Kingfisher / Brown-headed Paradise Kingfisher
Others: Papuan Lorikeet / MacGregor’s Bowerbird / Barred Owlet-Nightjar / Papuan Frogmouth
Guiding Fees / Ground Transportation / Accommodation / Meals / Entrance Fees / Tipping for Drivers, Boatsmen, Hotel and Restaurant Staff.
International Flights / VISA Fees / Travel Insurance / Tips for Local Guide / Alcohol / Laundry / Items of a Personal Nature
Days 1-6 Western Highlands Province, Mount Hagen [5N, 4D, 9S]. Arrive Port Moresby, Domestic Flight to Mount Hagen. Photographic Targets: King of Saxony Bird-of-Paradise / Princess Stephanie’s Astrapia / Brown Sicklebill / Short-tailed Paradigalla / Ribbon-tailed Astrapia / Lesser Bird-of-Paradise / Crested Satinbird.
Days 6-8 Western Highlands Province, Mount Hagen [2N, 1D, 3S]. Drive 2-hours, 80-km to second location at Mount Hagen. Photographic Targets: Brown Sicklebill / Short-tailed Paradigalla / Ribbon-tailed Astrapia / Papuan Lorikeet.
Days 8-15 Western Highlands Province, Mount Hagen [7N, 6D, 13S]. Drive 2-hours, 80-km to third location at Mount Hagen. Photographic Targets: Blue Bird-of-Paradise / Raggianna Bird-of-Paradise / Magnificent Bird-of-Paradise / King of Saxony Bird-of-Paradise / Princess Stephanie’s Astrapia / Greater Lophorina / Lesser Bird-of-Paradise / Brown Sicklebill / Black Sicklebill / MacGregor’s Bowerbird / Mountain Kingfisher / Azure Kingfisher.
Days 15-17 Central Province, Varirata National Park [3N, 2D, 5S]. Domestic Flight to Port Moresby. Photographic Targets: Raggianna Bird-of-Paradise / Brown-headed Paradise Kingfisher / Magnificent Bird-of-Paradise / Barred Owlet-Nightjar.
Day 17 National Capital Province, Port Moresby [0N, 0D, 0S]. Transfer to Port Moresby Airport for International Departures [END].
[Key: N: Night / D: Full Day / S: Session / Half-Day]
Roland was born in Munich in 1970. His love for nature started at an early age through his passion for mountaineering which in turn developed his interest in environmental protection. Roland spent over two decades in China from 1998 to 2021 living predominantly in Sichuan Province in western China and working as a professional guide on bird as well as mammal tours. With many of Roland’s clients being photographers, Roland has developed considerable skills and knowledge in supporting the needs of the bird photographer. Roland’s travels throughout China and South East Asia are extensive from the Tibetan Plateau to the Chinese lowlands to the rainforests of both Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia: Laos, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam. Roland is fluent in Chinese, English and German and has a friendly, amicable disposition, displaying both care and thoughtfulness towards his clients, in addition to possessing strong field identification skills, all of which have combined well generating a positive reputation as a Tour Leader, particularly amongst bird photographers.
(i) The guesthouses are all in close proximity to the bird photography locations. At one guesthouse there may be a requirement to share a room (ii) Walking is at a light pace (iii) There is one location where there is a requirement to hike and climb. (iv) None of the locations are at altitude (v) There is no camping. Summary: at one location it may be necessary to share a room and at another site there is a requirement to hike. Therefore, for these two reasons this trip has been has been graded as 'Medium'.
