Bird Watching
Bird watching is an activity that many foreign tourists like. One of the world-famous bird watching spots is in the Arfak Mountains. The Arfak Mountains have become a favorite hiking spot for nature-loving tourists from all over the world who want to see Papua's native plants and animals. Located in Dorey Bay, Arfak mountains can be reached easily by hardtop or four wheeler.
This regency has a place to be able to observe endemic birds from fairly close distance. These types of birds will fascinate you because you can see directly, for example, cassowaries, birds of paradise and various other birds that live in Papua.
This area has indeed become a tourist spot in Arfak Regency and is very much liked by foreign tourists. Visitors can enjoy homestay facilities that can be booked up to 10 people with affordable price, because later you will have a guide services.
Bowerbird or Smart Bird is one of the endemic bird species that has been very well known to foreign countries that live in the Arfak Mountains Nature Reserve. This endemic bird can be found in various districts/villages in the Arfak Mountains Nature Reserve, such as Minyambow, Testega, Hink, Anggi, and others. Because of this bird's skill in imitating various types of sounds, the Arfak people also call this bird as Briceu which means good at talking. Another peculiarity or uniqueness of this bird is the nest for eggs lay and nests for dating or mating are made separately. Nests for laying eggs are made on trees, while nests for dating or mating are made on the ground with different shapes and materials.
What makes the birds in the forests of Papua special compared to other forests in Indonesia is because there are so many unique species that can only be found in Papua. Bird of Paradise and Bowerbird are the best known examples. There are also birds on the mountain, named the black sicklebill (Epimachus fastosus) and the astrapia arfak (Astrapia nigra). Birds of paradise have a very important role in tropical forest ecosystems (rainforest). They are seed dispersers of various types of trees in the forest. The fruit they eat is then flown for miles and then dropped through their droppings or beaks. Therefore, the birds of paradise and all kinds of birds in the Arfak Mountains deserve respect and protection for their noble duties.
On the slopes of the Arfak Mountains, tourists can see various types of birds such as birds of paradise, white cockatoos and king cockatoos, bower birds, maleo and crown pigeons and many more. Besides birds, tourists can find many colorful insects, as well as butterflies that live and fly among the green leaves of Papua's tropical rainforests.
Birdwatching at Arfak began to buzz in 2007 after numerous travel reports and publications on the diversity of Papuan birds after guests received good impressions during their visit here.
Cuscus and tree kangaroos can also found in the Arfak Mountains. One of the tourist destinations is Kampung Kwau. The journey there takes 2 hours. There, apart from observing the magnificent birds of paradise, tourists can also learn herbal medicine. Because of its location which is not traversed by public transportation, Kwau Village seems isolated from the outside world.
The air temperature in Kwau village is quite cold at night. Therefore, tourists are advised to bring thick clothes so they can feel warm while sleeping later. In addition to clothes, foodstuffs that are not available there, such as rice, bread, and some canned foods and snacks, should be purchased from the city so that tourists can eat there. Local food are betatas, cassava and vegetables can be purchased from local residents.
