Bird Photography Tour to

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Birds of Paradise Photography | Western Highlands, Enga & Port Moresby

Birds of Paradise you may photograph during this trip:

      © Rafael Armada - Short-tailed Paradigalla

  • Lawes's parotia, Parotia lawesii

  • King of Saxony Bird-of-Paradise, Pteridophora alberti

  • Raggiana Bird-of-Paradise, Paradisaea raggiana

  • Lesser Bird-of-Paradise, Paradisaea minor

  • Magnificent Bird-of-Paradise, Diphyllodes magnificus

  • Short-tailed Paradigalla, Paradigalla brevicauda

  • Brown Sicklebill, Epimachus meyeri

  • Stephanie's Astrapia, Astrapia stephaniae

  • Ribbon-tailed Astrapia, Astrapia mayeri

  • Blue Bird-of-Paradise, Paradisornis rudolphi

  • Crinkle-collared Manucode, Manucodia chalybatus

  • Glossy-mantled Manucode, Manucodia ater

Next tour dates

© Rafael Armada - Lesser Bird of Paradise    

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

             Trip 1:  28 Jul - 13 Ago | 2025              

             Trip 2: 18 Ago - 3 Sep | 2025              

  • Duration: 17 days per trip

  • Group size: Max 6 guests per trip

  • Guides: Rafael Armada & Alejandra Rendón

  • Difficulty: Easy to Moderate *

  • Rate: From 7900 USD

    • Single Supplement: 990 USD

    • Deposit: 1500 USD

Available spots

*  Depending on your physical condition, the itinerary can be adjusted

Get the full information for this trip in PDF

What’s included?

  • Transfers to and from the airports

  • All ground transportation

  • Full board for the entire duration of the tour

  • All meals and soft drinks

  • Access to photographic hides, nature reserves, private lands and parks

  • Local guides

  • Photography guides

  • Personalized photography assistance

  • Porters

  • Access to a one-on-one MasterClass with Rafael Armada, either before or after the trip, depending on the topic you wish to focus on.


Not included

  • International flight tickets

  • Domestic flight tickets Port Moresby - Mount Hagen - Port Moresby

  • Visas and airport taxes

  • Alcoholic beverages

  • Personal expenses

  • Laundry services

  • Travel insurance

  • Tips

  • Any items or services not explicitly mentioned in the inclusions section of the tour package or itinerary

Itinerary

This trip includes visits to premier birdwatching locations, such as Kumul Lodge in Enga Province, Magic Mountain Lodge & Rondon Ridge in Western Highlands province, and Varirata National Park in Port Moresby. Depending on the selected tour, the order of these activities will vary.

Flexible itinerary adjusted daily based on the photographic results and the seasonal bird activity which may vary.

 FAQs

  • The best time to visit Papua New Guinea for bird photography is during the dry season, which typically falls between May and October. During this time, bird activity is high, and the weather is more predictable, making it ideal for outdoor photography.

  • Papua New Guinea is home to an incredible diversity of bird species, including the iconic Birds of Paradise, Kingfishers, Parrots, and Bowerbirds, among many others. Our local guides will take you to prime locations, and even though some spots may be known for specific species of Birds of Paradise, you will have the opportunity to observe a wide variety of non-BoP species as well. While this is a photography tour, the list of endemic species you may spot can be extensive.

  • No previous experience in bird photography is required to join the trip. Our tours are designed for photographers of all skill levels, from beginners to advanced enthusiasts. While having more experience and better equipment can increase your success rate, our guides will provide guidance and assistance to help you capture stunning images of the birds and elevate your photography skills to the next level.

  • While the bird photography conditions may be suitable for all skill levels, it's important to keep in mind that this trip will be intense. We'll be photographing wild and elusive birds, and in many cases, you'll need to endure long waits and be very sharp to react correctly when the birds appear. Noise, disturbance, or clumsiness can scare the birds, causing them to interrupt or not perform their displays. This is something we want to avoid, as it not only decreases your chances but also directly disturbs birds.

    Wild birds are often unpredictable and we cannot guarantee that you will see and photograph all of them, but based on previous experience, we know where to go and how many days are sufficient for you to have the best chances of achieving the pictures.

    We kindly remind you to manage your expectations, as the elusive nature of these species presents challenges in capturing them on camera, which is why some of them have very few documented sightings.

  • It varies from low to medium, depending on the specific spot visited each day. While some locations may require short walks or hikes, others may be accessible by vehicle. Ensuring good health is essential for this tour, given our remote location and extensive outdoor activities. Please be prepared for the typical climate of the cloud forest: humid and cold, with daytime temperatures around 12-14°C and very chilly nights.

  • Accommodations during the trip vary depending on the location. We strive to provide comfortable lodging options that offer a blend of convenience and immersion in nature, ranging from eco-lodges to standard hotels.

    Papua New Guinea is not a luxury destination. However, the difficulty in accessing many resources makes these remote places more expensive than the most commercial routes where tourism infrastructure is widely spread. Our main purpose on this tour is to support local accommodations where safety, cleanliness and comfort are priorities.

  • In designing these trips, we have taken comprehensive measures to ensure the safety and security of our participants. While it is true that security issues across the territory of PNG are many, we have specifically chosen a safe and well-established area. The Mt. Hagen region is renowned as a good hotspot for birding, eco-tourism and trekking. Throughout the journey, we will always be accompanied by local guides and landowners who are familiar with the environment and have worked tirelessly to develop tourism infrastructure in this country.

  • A travel insurance certification is mandatory for participation in the trip. We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive insurance coverage to protect against unforeseen circumstances such as trip cancellations, medical emergencies, or lost luggage.

  • We strive to accommodate dietary restrictions and preferences to the best of the availability. Please inform us if you have any dietary preferences or restrictions at the time of booking, and we will make every effort to ensure your needs are met during the trip.

  • To book the trip, please fill out the booking request form and let us know your preferred time for a video call. We will be happy to provide you with comprehensive information about the trip and assist you with any questions you may have.

Don’t just dream it, live it!

This tour is also available as a private tour from July to September

Email us to warblertours@gmail.com to check availability and rates.

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