Java & Bali Birding Tour

Java and Bali offer one of the most intense and rewarding endemic birding experiences in the world, combining high-altitude volcanic peaks with arid savannas and rich coastal wetlands. This comprehensive itinerary carves a path through the islands’ most critical habitats, designed to maximize encounters with rare endemics while providing outstanding opportunities for wildlife photography and capturing rich, diverse field soundscapes.

The journey begins on the coast with a boat trip into Jakarta Bay and an exploration of the Muara Angke wetlands, immediately targeting coastal specialties like the Milky Stork and Christmas Frigatebird. Leaving the coast behind, we ascend into the pristine montane rainforests of West Java. At Halimun Salak National Park, operating out of Citalahab, we immerse ourselves in a biodiverse wonderland home to Javan Trogon, broadbills, and incredible nocturnal species. The elevation increases as we explore the botanical haven of Kebun Raya Cibodas and trek the forested slopes of Mount Gede, seeking out high-altitude prizes such as the Rufous-fronted Laughingthrush and Javan Cochoa.

Moving eastward into Central and East Java, the landscape transitions. We visit the community-protected agroforests of Jatimulyo and the forested slopes around mount Wilis, bridging the gap between the wet west and the drier east. Reaching the coast again, the Wonorejo Mangroves in Surabaya offer a crucial stop for the declining Javan White-eye. The final leg of the Java expedition explores the island’s wild eastern edges: the dry, sun-baked savannas of Baluran National Park, the lush mid-elevation trails of the Ijen Plateau, and the remote, lowland monsoon forests of Alas Purwo National Park. Finally, we cross the narrow strait to the island of Bali, concluding the tour in West Bali National Park, the last stronghold of the breathtaking and iconic Bali Myna.