Flores – Komodo Birdwatching

Summary

It is difficult to separate Flores and Komodo a Lesser Sunda birding itinerary. Komodo—home to the legendary Komodo dragon—is the last home for a group of the critically endangered Yellow-crested Cockatoo. A few Lesser Sunda endemic subspecies are also more easily encountered here, while the sea of Komodo National Park offer opportunities to spot seabirds. Meanwhile, Flores promises the chance to encounter true island and regional endemics.

PRICE

USD 1.355 / pax (min. 2 pax)

DURATION

5 Day 4 Night

Includes

  • Accommodations / shared room
  • Land transport
  • Private Speedboat to Komodo NP
  • Full board meals indicated B/L/D
  • English-speaking birding guide
  • Mineral water (refill) 
  • Coffee/tea, fruits, and snacks
  • Entrance fees, tickets, and donations

Excludes

  • Insurances
  • Domestic flights
  • Personal expenses (laundry,ect)
  • Alcohol drink
  • Tipping

Key Targets

Tenggara Hill Myna, Flores Monarch, Chectnut-Backed Thrush, Chestnut-caped Thrush, Leaf Lorikeet, Wallace's Hanging Parrot, Flores Hawk Eagle, Bare-throated Whistler, White-rumped Kingfisher, Flores Scops-Owl, Wallace's Scops-Owl, Moluccan Scops-Owl, Flores Shortwing, Flores Flowerpecker, Dark-Backed Imperial Pigeon, Flores Green Pigeon

Itinerary

1Day 1: Arrival - Labuan Bajo - Ruteng (-/L/D)
Pick up at Komodo airport in Labuan Bajo, then take a 4 hours drive to Ruteng. Enroute make stops for birding with specific targets. Lunch in Lembor or in Ruteng. Night birding in Ruteng to find Wallace’s scops Owl.
Accommodation: Ara Garden Inn, Ruteng
Key targets: Leaf Lorikeet, Wallacean Cuckooshrike, Chestnut-backed Thrush, Flores Monarch, Wallace’s Scops Owl.
2Day 2: Birding in Ruteng (B/L/D)
Birding in Golo Lusang (Ruteng nature reserve) for the whole morning. Lunch in town then continue birding around Ranamese lake. Night birding in Ranamese to find Flores Scops-owl.
Accommodation: Ara Garden Inn, Ruteng
Key targets: Bare-throated Whistler, Eye browed Heleia, Flores Leaf Warbler, Flores Shortwing, Flores Jungle Flycatcher, Pale-shouldered Cicadabird, Flores Flowerpecker, Brown-caped fantail, Dark-backed Imperial Pigeon, Ornate Pitta, Chestnut-backed Thrush, Flores Minivet, White-rumped Kingfisher, Flores Scops-owl
3Day 3: Ruteng – Labuan Bajo (B/L/D)
Early morning drive to Pagal. Birding along the roadside until midday. Back to Ruteng for lunch before take a 4 hours drive again back to Labuan Bajo.
Accommodation: Puri Sari Beach Hotel, Labuan Bajo
Key targets: Wallace’s Hanging Parrot, Flores Green Pigeon, Banded Fruit dove, Golden-rumped Flowerpecker, Tenggara/Thick-billed Flowerpecker, Thick-billed Heleia, Crested Heleia, Pale-shouldered Cicadabird, Tenggara Whistler.
4Day 4: Labuan Bajo – Komodo – Labuan Bajo (B/L/D)
Early morning by a private speed boat to Komodo Island. Birding on Komodo for 3 hours or more. Make some stops on the way back to Labuan Bajo for Swimming and snorkelling. We prepare lunch box. Afternoon birding south of Labuan Bajo.
Accommodation: Puri Sari Beach Hotel, Labuan Bajo
Key targets: Yellow-crested Cockatoo, Orange-footed Scrubfowl, Black-naped(Tenggara) Oriole, Island Collard Dove, Variable (Lesser Sunda) Goshawk, Cerulean Kingfisher, Moluccan Scops-owl.
5Day 5: Labuan Bajo - Out (B/L/-)
Early morning drive to Puarlolo. Birding here until midday. Lunch at a local restaurant in Melo. Birding around Melo to find Flores Hawk Eagle. Back to Labuan Bajo, drop at the airport to catch an afternoon flight to Denpasar. Out
Key targets: Flores Monarch, Tenggara Hill Myna, Flores Hawk Eagle, Chestnut-caped Thrush, Spectacled Monarch, Flame-breasted Sunbird, Russet-caped Tesia.