• Birding Java & Bali (15D/14N)

    Indonesia is a dream for spotting endemic birds, and even in the populated island of Java and Bali we can still see many different species. Both islands have mountains, jungle, beaches, and lowland forests which makes the biodiversity and ecosystems really worth a visit. This tour includes many photographic opportunities for beginners and advanced photographers. And even let you capture several critical endangered species from up close!

    Itinerary

    Day 1 :
    • The first morning we explore the north coast of Jakarta Bay by boat where we will photograph the majestic frigate birds (3 different species!). After lunch we scout some more mangroves in the north of the city.
    Day 2 – 4:
    • On our second day we take the very comfortable executive train to Yogyakarta, the city that has it all. Culture, nature, an endless coastline, an active volcano and a bustling city centre that never sleeps. We head to the forest in the west of the city and there we visit the first successful conservation project that protects birds in a very creative way. The next day we move to the coast to photograph the white-tailed tropicbird high from a cliff. August and September is breeding season so this promises to be a blazing hot photo session. That same afternoon we move to East Java.
    Day 5:
    • Today is one of the highlights of our trip and we capture the rarest kingfisher on the planet, the Javan blue-banded kingfisher. We stay in the hide for a whole day and hope to see some other species as well like the Javan kingfisher and Sunda forktail.
    Day 6 – 7:
    • We dive deeper into East Java and travel to the Bromo National Park, world famous for the Bromo volcano and the volcanic panoramas. The next morning we install ourselves early in the hides and wait for what nature brings us.
    Day 8 – 9:
    • We move to the most eastern point of Java, because there is another national park to die for. We hope to see the star of the park, the green peafowl but also hornbills, Javan deer, green jungle fowl, Javan langur, and the endangered banteng (wild cow). Day 10:
    In the early morning we photograph the rarest partridge in the world, the gray-breasted partridge. This species only occurs in this part of Java and nowhere else in the world. After this amazing experience we check out of our hotel and take the ferry to Bali.
    Day 11:
    Today we explore the only national park in Bali to see the endangered Bali starling. In the 90s, it was worth over 2,000 euros each and has been traded to near extinction. There are less than 500 wild birds left. We spend the night in an eco lodge near the Batukaru mountain. This lodge is located in the middle of nature and offers great opportunities to spot and photograph birds from our balcony!
    Day 12 – 13: We take the chance to explore the immediate surroundings of our lodge on foot, there is a lot to see. But it is also possible to just relax by the beautiful pool of the lodge. Before we continue towards Denpasar we stop at a nice photo spot close to our lodge where we can hopefully see the orange-headed thrush from close by. This thrush is increasingly difficult to find and is constantly being captured as a songbird.
    Day 14: Our journey is almost over and this is our last day in Indonesia. Depending on the timing of our flight we will stop at a last place where we can capture a lot of water birds in action. (Please note that if the flight leaves in the morning it is not possible to go here!). Our wonderful journey through Java and Bali has come to an end and we return home.

    Species

    Day 1 :

    SpeciesStatusEndemic
    christmas island frigatebirdcrChristmas island
    lesser frigatebirdlc
    great frigatebirdlc
    Javan coucalvuJava
    black-backed swamphenlc
    milky storken
    Javan ploverntJava and Bali
    Sunda tealntJava and Bali
    Javan pond heronlcJava and Bali
    cerulean kingfisherlcSumatra, Java, Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa
    pied fantaillc
    oriental darternt
    striated heronlc
    little egretlc
    great egretlc

    Day 2 – 4:

    SpeciesStatusEndemic
    Javan sunbirdlcJava
    oriental dwarf kingfisherlc
    ruby-throated bulbulvuSumatra, Java and Bali
    Javan kingfisherlcJava and Bali
    crested serpent eaglelc
    streaky-breasted spiderhunterlcJava and Bali
    little spiderhunterlc
    chestnut-breasted malkohalc
    orange-bellied flowerpeckerlc
    sunda pygmy woodpeckerlc
    black-naped monarchlc
    blue-eared kingfisherlc
    brown-throated sunbirdlc
    Javan leafbirdntJava and Bali
    Java sparrowen
    white-tailed tropicbirdlc
    black-banded barbetntJava and Bali
    Javan Black-capped BabblerlcJava
    crescent-chested BabblerlcJava and Bali
    ornate sunbirdlc
    small minivetlc
    Javan blue flycatchercrJava
    rufous piculetlc
    Sunda forktaillcJava & Sumatra


    Day 5 – 10:

    SpeciesStatusEndemic
    Javan blue-banded kingfishercrJava
    blue-whistling thrushlc
    Javan banded pittalcJava and Bali
    Javan flamebackvuJava and Bali
    green peafowlen
    red junglefowllc
    green junglefowllc
    black-winged mynacrJava and Bali
    oriental pied hornbilllc
    wreathed hornbillvu
    lesser adjutantnt
    racket-tailed treepielc
    yellow-eared barbetlcJava and Bali
    white-faced partridgevuEast-Java
    indigo flycatcherlcJava, Sumatra and northern Borneo
    orange-spotted bulbulntSumatra, Java and Bali
    banded woodpeckerlc
    banded kingfisherlc
    Javan broadbillntJava
    chestnut-headed bee eaterlc
    reddish scops owlnt
    sacred kingfisherlc
    yellow-throated hanging parrotntJava and Bali
    grey and buff woodpeckerlc
    banteng (wild cow)enJava
    Javan leopardcrJava
    Sumatran dholeen


    Day 11 – 14:

    SpeciesStatusEndemic
    black-crowned night heronlc
    purple heronlc
    little pied cormorantlc
    brahminy kitelc
    black cormorantlc
    nankeen night heronlc
    cerulean kingfisherlcSumatra, Java, Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa
    blue-tailed bee-eaterlc
    pink-necked green pigeonlc
    baya weaverlc
    lineated barbetlc
    sunda scops owllc
    black-naped oriolelc
    asian glossy starlinglc
    oriental honey buzzardlc
    black-headed bulbullc
    ashy drongolc
    fulvous-chested jungle flycatcherlc
    brown-cheeked bulbulenJava and Bali
    square-tailed drongo-cuckoolc
    freckle-breasted woodpeckerlc
    white-crowned forktaillc
    yellow-throated hanging parrotntJava and Bali
    common flamebacklc
    white-breasted woodswallowlc
    eurasian whimbrellc
    common ioralc
    Bali mynacrBali
    orange-headed thrushlc
    oriental magpie-robinlc
    emerald dovelc
    cinereous titlc
    Horsfield’s babblerlc
    Temminck’s babblerlc
    Included

    • All described activities
    • Transport: train, boat, car, or minibus (depending on the group size and destination)
    • Hotel accommodation from the first day to the last day (14 nights)
    • Drinking water provided (reusable 20 L bottle, please bring your own tumbler)
    • Breakfast, lunch and dinner
    • Local snacks and/or fruit
    • Entrance tickets 
    • Professional photo documentation

    • Dutch & English speaking guide (western standard)

    • Environmental friendly approach, no single-use plastics are used on this trip

    Excluded

    • International flight tickets
    • Alcoholic drinks and drinks other than water
    • Personal expenses (souvenirs, insurance,…)

    Price

    • To keep prices affordable we suggest a minimum of 4 people for this tour.
    (Please contact us here for prices, customizations or other questions)