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PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Birds of Paradise

from €8,500.00
Limit 2 per order

Bird Photography Tour

Duration: 17 Days
Dates: Jul - Aug, 2027 (Exact dates TBD)
Prices from:‍ 8.500 €

Acommodation:

Bird Photography Tour

Duration: 17 Days
Dates: Jul - Aug, 2027 (Exact dates TBD)
Prices from:‍ 8.500 €

PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Birds of Paradise

Bird Photography Tour

Western Highlands

From
8.500€
per person
Single supplement: 1.500 €
Easy
Arrival & Departure
Port Moresby (POM)
Duration
17 Days / 16 Nights
Group Size
Max. 8 Participants
Photography Style
Field photography, Photo-hides & Bird feeders
Next Tour Dates
Jul - Aug, 2027 (Exact dates TBD)
Tour Leader
Rafael Armada
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An encounter with the extraordinary!

Papua New Guinea occupies half of New Guinea, the world's second-largest island, shared between Indonesian West Papua and the independent nation of Papua New Guinea. Dense jungles and towering mountain forests define this tropical haven. It is here that most of the world's Birds of Paradise make their home, and together we'll join the select few who have witnessed their breathtaking beauty in the wild, understanding at last why this place is called "paradise."

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Trip Overview

Papua New Guinea is home to more Birds-of-Paradise than anywhere else on Earth, with lush montane forests and highland valleys hosting some of the most spectacular courtship displays in the natural world. Species like the Ribbon-tailed Astrapia, Lawes's Parotia and the King of Saxony are restricted to specific ranges and elevations, making every stage of the route different from the last.

Travelling in a small group led by our specialist guides, we'll split our time between lodges with specially designed feeders, where Birds of Paradise move freely at close range, and rustic photography hides reached by 4x4 across the Western Highlands and Enga Province, allowing time to witness their extraordinary displays without rushing the encounter.

From feeder platforms to forest trails and courtship grounds above 2,000 m, the route crosses an exceptional range of habitats. Each location offers its own photographic opportunities and a distinctive selection of Papua New Guinea's most iconic species.

Where and when?

This 17-day tour begins in Port Moresby, with an early stop at Varirata National Park before heading inland to Mount Hagen, our gateway to the Western Highlands and Enga Province. Here we'll spend nearly two weeks moving between lodges and photography hides, chasing the region's most spectacular Birds-of-Paradise, before returning to Port Moresby to close the trip.

Days spent in the Western Highlands and Enga follow a flexible program: rather than a fixed schedule, each day's plan is built around group preferences, hide and feeder activity, and the photographic results achieved so far. It's a dynamic itinerary, shaped day by day to make the most of what the birds and the light are giving us.

For those wanting to extend the experience, a 4-day extension to the Mount Hagen Cultural Festival can be added either before or after the main tour, offering a rare look at traditional dance, song and costume from tribes across Papua New Guinea.

Highlights

Birds of Paradise we may photograph:

Raggiana Bird-of-Paradise
Raggiana Bird-of-Paradise (Paradisaea raggiana)
This iconic species is Papua New Guinea's national bird. It is found in foothill forests and forest edges. The male displays red or orange plumes while leaning forward and flicking his wings. Both sexes have yellow eyes and black chests, and females have yellow on the back of their heads. The male's call is a characteristic sound of the forest. We may see several pairs at Varirata National Park, and for photography, we will have opportunities from a hide near Mt Hagen.
Type of hide: Wooden hide Capacity: 3-4 people Lens Recommendation: 400-600mm and extenders; tripod required Trek Difficulty: Easy - flat Walking Distance: 500 meters Weather: Warm, around 25°C
Lesser Bird-of-Paradise
Lesser Bird-of-Paradise (Paradisaea minor)
This stunning bird is found in lowland and foothill forests. Both sexes share a yellow back and yellow eyes, but the male stands out with a chestnut breast and white and yellow plumes, which he raises above his back during his display while flapping his chestnut wings. The female is recognized by her white underparts and black hood. We will have the chance to observe and photograph this bird's display near Kama Village from a special eye-level observatory.
Type of hide: Wall Capacity: 6-8 people Lens Recommendation: 100-300mm; tripod advised Trek Difficulty: Easy to moderate - slope Walking Distance: 1 Km Weather: Warm, around 25°C
Lawes's Parotia
Lawes's Parotia (Parotia lawesii)
The males of this species are black with a distinctive white stripe over the bill, a bronzy-scaled iridescent chest, and six antenna-like plumes. These birds perform one of the most elaborate courtship displays in the animal kingdom. Vocalizations include rasps and parrot-like squawks. The females are brown with barred underparts and black head. We'll have the opportunity to see and photograph its display from photography hides.
Type of hide / number of hides: Rustic tent / 2 Capacity: 2 & 3 people Lens Recommendation: 400-600mm; tripod required Trek Difficulty: Moderate - small hills and crossing water streams Walking Distance: 3 Km Weather: Temperate, around 20°C
King of Saxony
King of Saxony Bird-of-Paradise (Pteridophora alberti)
A striking montane forest bird, the male is famed for his extraordinary antenna-like plumes that extend far beyond his body. With yellow underparts, black upperparts, and vivid orange flight feathers, he is unmistakable. Females are more understated, with brownish upperparts and pale, scaled underparts. During courtship, the male waves his remarkable plumes while emitting a distinctive insect-like rattle, revealing the bright cyan interior of his mouth. We'll have opportunities to encounter these birds during forest walks. Luckily, we'll also have the chance to spot them near the feeders at Magic Mountain Lodge.
Lens Recommendation: 400-600mm and extenders; tripod advised Weather: Temperate, 10-20°C
Short-tailed Paradigalla
Short-tailed Paradigalla (Paradigalla brevicauda)
A medium-sized bird, with all-black plumage. It features a long bill and a distinctive yellow wattle between its eye and bill, along with a blue line beneath the base of the mouth. This species primarily feeds on fruit but also probes mossy branches for insects. Its vocalization is a long, mournful, monotone whistle. We'll have the opportunity to see and photograph this bird from feeders at Magic Mountain Lodge.
Type of hide: Bird feeder Capacity: 6 people Lens Recommendation: 300-600mm; tripod advised Weather: Temperate, 10-20°C
Magnificent Bird-of-Paradise
Magnificent Bird-of-Paradise (Diphyllodes magnificus)
The males of this species have a bottle-green chest, a bright yellow patch on the nape, and long, curly blue-reflecting tail feathers. They display on vertical poles on the forest ground. Females are brownish, with barred underparts, blue bill, and a stripe behind the eye. They might surprise us at the feeders near the Raggiana BoP hide. But we'll also visit a hide that offers a chance to witness the males' courtship rituals.
Type of hides / Number of hides: Wooden hides / 2 Capacity: 3 people / 5 people Lens Recommendation: 400-600mm; tripod required Trek Difficulty: Easy - flat / Moderate - slope Walking Distance: 500 meters / 1 Km Weather: Warm, around 25°C in both locations
Brown Sicklebill
Brown Sicklebill (Epimachus meyeri)
A large bird with a curved bill, a very long tail and pale blue eyes. Males are black with iridescent blue back and cheeks, and pale brown underparts, while females are brown with rufous crown and barred belly. The male's courtship display includes raising fan-like feathers above his head and swaying rhythmically. Known for its machine-gun-like call. We'll have the chance to see these birds frequenting the feeders at Magic Mountain Lodge and Kumul Lodge, where females with chicks and males are regular visitors. They can also be spotted along the trails.
Type of hide: Bird feeders Capacity: 10 people Lens Recommendation: 300-600mm; tripod advised Weather: Temperate, 10-20°C
Stephanie's Astrapia
Stephanie's Astrapia (Astrapia stephaniae)
This bird is easily recognized by the male's long black tail and iridescent blue and green head and chest, highlighted by a thin copper stripe beneath a black chest band. Females have more muted plumage, with blackish tones and barred underparts. This species feeds on fruit and searches for insects among mossy branches and epiphytes. We'll have the opportunity to observe this bird up close, as it is a frequent visitor to the feeders at Magic Mountain Lodge. Also spotted along the trails.
Type of hide: Bird feeders Capacity: 6 people Lens Recommendation: 300-600mm; tripod advised Weather: Temperate, 10-20°C
Ribbon-tailed Astrapia
Ribbon-tailed Astrapia (Astrapia mayeri)
The males of this species have extraordinary white tail streamers, iridescent green head, and gold-striped black chest band. Females are more subdued, with blackish plumage, barred underparts, and a touch of iridescence on the head. They feed on fruit and are commonly found at higher elevations compared to Stephanie's Astrapia. We will observe this bird at the feeders of Kumul Lodge, where it often engages in lively chases with Sicklebills, Melidectes and other astrapias throughout the day. They can also be spotted along the trails.
Type of hide: Bird feeders Capacity: 10 people Lens Recommendation: 300-600mm; tripod advised Weather: Temperate, 10-20°C

Beyond the Birds of Paradise, we’ll encounter a variety of other incredible species.

Tour Itinerary

  • Day 1: Arrival in Port Moresby

  • Day 2: Varirata National Park

  • Day 3: Arrival in Mount Hagen

  • Days 4 - 16: Western Highlands and Enga *

  • Day 17: Return to Port Moresby - End of the tour


* Flexible program:

During the days we spend in Western Highlands and Enga, every day we’ll select the ideal locations based on group preferences, priorities, hides and feeders activity, and the photographic results you have achieved so far. 

This approach means that there will be no rigid schedules during this part of the trip. It will be a dynamic itinerary.


Tour Extension

If you want to attend the vibrant Mount Hagen Cultural Festival, consider adding a 4-day extension to your trip. This world-famous event takes place from August 14–17 of 2024, and can be added either at the end of Trip 1 or the beginning of Trip 2. This event showcases traditional dances, songs, and costumes from tribes across Papua New Guinea. An opportunity to witness the country's cultural heritage up close.

Mount Hagen Cultural Festival Mount Hagen Cultural Festival Mount Hagen Cultural Festival Mount Hagen Cultural Festival Mount Hagen Cultural Festival Mount Hagen Cultural Festival Mount Hagen Cultural Festival Mount Hagen Cultural Festival Mount Hagen Cultural Festival Mount Hagen Cultural Festival Mount Hagen Cultural Festival Mount Hagen Cultural Festival

Details:

Duration: 4 days*

Dates: 14-17 August 2024

Rate per person: from 2200€

Single supplement: 450€

Deposit: 20% 

*This extension can be added either at the end of the Trip 1 or at the beginning of the Trip 2, with fixed dates.

Prices and options

FROM 8.500€ per person · taxes included
Single supplement1.500€
Tour extension2.200€
Deposit900€
DATESJul - Aug, 2027 (Exact dates TBD)
DURATION17 days
GROUP SIZEMax. 8 participants
TOUR LEADERRafael Armada
Included
  • Transfers to and from the airports in Papua New Guinea
  • All ground transportation in Papua New Guinea (4x4 vehicles and minivan)
  • Full board for the entire duration of the tour
  • All meals and soft drinks
  • Access to lodges, hides, nature reserves, and private lands
  • Local guides
  • Photography guides
  • Personalized photography assistance
  • Porters
Not included
  • International flight tickets to and from Papua New Guinea
  • Pre- and post-tour arrangements
  • Domestic flight tickets: Port Moresby - Mount Hagen - Port Moresby*
  • Visas, airport taxes, or passport expenses
  • Personal expenses e.g., laundry, alcoholic beverages, souvenirs, telecommunications
  • Baggage, cancellation, and personal insurance
  • Any items or services not explicitly mentioned in the inclusions section of the tour package or itinerary
  • Tips (guidelines provided)

This itinerary is also available as a private departure — Reach us at warblertours@gmail.com or on WhatsApp for availability and rates.

Booking

How to book your trip

Three simple steps to get you there.

Booking form

Prefer to write directly?
Reach us at warblertours@gmail.com or on WhatsApp.

FAQs

  • This tour is designed for Bird Photographers who want to work seriously in the field. Photographers who understand that the best images come from time, patience and being in the right place with the right conditions.

    You do not need to be an expert birder or photographer. But you do need to be comfortable with full days outdoors.

    If you have photographed birds before and want to push further, with better light, more complex subjects, wilder places, this is the right trip for you.

  • Yes — we offer this itinerary as a private trip for individuals, couples, or small groups. Write to us at warblertours@gmail.com or reach out on WhatsApp to check availability and get a quote.

  • Yes. Write to us at warblertours@gmail.com or reach out on WhatsApp and we'll keep you in the loop — you'll be the first to know when new dates are announced.