This 12-day mainland departure starts in Port Moresby, then flies to the Western Highlands for King of Saxony, Blue, Raggiana and Lesser Birds-of-Paradise and the astrapias, and finishes at Varirata National Park for Brown-headed Paradise Kingfisher, Yellow-billed Kingfisher and Growling Riflebird. Optional extensions add Western Province (Twelve-wired, King and Magnificent Birds-of-Paradise) and the Bismarck Archipelago (Superb Pitta).
Planning a trip? Read our complete guide to where to photograph Birds-of-Paradise.
Birds-of-Paradise: King of Saxony Bird-of-Paradise / Princess Stephanie’s Astrapia / Ribbon-tailed Astrapia / Brown Sicklebill / Black Sicklebill / Short-tailed Paradigalla / Lesser Bird-of-Paradise / Magnificent Bird-of-Paradise / Blue Bird-of-Paradise / Raggiana Bird-of-paradise / Growling Riflebird / King Bird-of-Paradise
Kingfishers: Azure Kingfisher / Brown-headed Paradise Kingfisher / Yellow-billed Kingfisher / Shovel-billed Kookaburra / Papuan Dwarf Kingfisher / Melanesian Kingfisher / Sacred Kingfisher / Beach Kingfisher / Blue-winged Kookaburra / Blue-winged Kookaburra
Others: West Papuan Lorikeet / MacGregor’s Bowerbird / Barred Owlet-Nightjar / Papuan Frogmouth / Papuan Boobook / Barking Owl
Pre-Extension Option to Western Province (10-Days)
Pricing: US$7,500 / Deposit: US$2,000 / Single Supplement: US$800
Post-Extension Option to Bismarck Archipelago (7-Days)
Pricing: US$5,000 / Deposit: US$2,000 / Single Supplement: US$500
(i) Guiding Fees (ii) Ground Transportation (iii) Domestic Flights (iv) Accommodation (v) Meals (vi) Entrance Fees (vii) Hide Fees.
(i) International Flights (ii) VISA Fees (iii) Travel Insurance (iv) Tips for Local Guide (v) Items of a Personal Nature.
Pricing is based on 2-4 participants. Solo travellers, i.e. tours with 1-PAX only, are subject to an additional Single Participant Surcharge.
Days 1-2 National Capital District, Port Moresby [1N, 0D, 0S]. Arrive Port Moresby International and transfer to hotel.
Days 2-7 Western Highlands Province [5N, 4D, 9S]. Domestic Flight from Port Moresby to Western Highlands Province. Photographic Targets: Blue Bird-of-Paradise / King of Saxony Bird-of-Paradise / Raggiana Bird-of-paradise / Lesser Bird-of-Paradise / Princess Stephanie’s Astrapia / Ribbon-tailed Astrapia / Brown Sicklebill / Short-tailed Paradigalla / Lawes’s Parotia.
Days 7-12 Central Province, Varirata National Park [4N, 3D, 7S]. Domestic Flight from Western Highlands Province to Central Province. Photographic Targets: Raggiana Bird-of-Paradise / Brown-headed Paradise Kingfisher / Yellow-billed Kingfisher / Azure Kingfisher / Barred Owlet-Nightjar / Papuan Dwarf Kingfisher / Growling Riflebird / Barking Owl / Papuan Boobook / Torresian Imperial Pigeon / Pink-spotted Fruit Dove.
Day 12 National Capital District, Port Moresby [1N, 0D, 1S]. Transfer to Port Moresby Airport for International Departures [END].
Pre-Tour Extension Option
Days 1-9 Western Province [8N, 7D, 15S]. Domestic Flight from Port Moresby – Western Province. Photographic Targets: Twelve-wired Bird-of-Paradise / King Bird-of-Paradise / Magnificent Bird-of-Paradise / Greater Bird-of-Paradise / Glossy-mantled Manucode / Flame Bowerbird / Southern Crowned Pigeon / Little Paradise Kingfisher / Black Sicklebill / Starry Owlet-nightjar / Shovel-billed Kookaburra / Black Sicklebill / Magnificent Riflebird.
Days 9-10 National Capital District, Port Moresby [1N, 0D, 1S]. Domestic Transfer Manus – Port Moresby [Overnight: Port Moresby END].
Post-Tour Extension Option
Days 1-6 Bismarck Archipelago [5N, 4D, 3S]. Domestic Flights Port Moresby – Manus Province [Overnight: Manus Province]. Photographic Targets: Superb Pitta / Manus Friarbird / Manus Cuckooshrike / Manus Brush Cuckoo / Bismarck Whistler / Bismarck Black Myzomela / Cicada / Sahul Sunbird / Northern Fantail / Melanesian Megapode / Nicobar Pigeon / Island Imperial Pigeon / Claret-breasted Fruit Dove / Manus Dwarf Kingfisher / Metallic Starling / Bismarck White-eye / Stephen’s Emerald Dove / Manus Boobook / Moustached Treeswift / Variable Goshawk / Rainbow Bee-eater
Days 6-7 National Capital District, Port Moresby [1N, 0D, 0S]. Domestic Transfer Manus Province – Port Moresby [Overnight: Port Moresby END].
[Key: N: Night / D: Full Day / S: Session / Half-Day]
Nick Ludovic Green has spent much of his life travelling and photographing birds across Asia and Oceania, developing a depth of field experience that few bird photographers achieve. Over more than 15 years in the region, Nick has led 150+ bird photography tours in 35 countries, carefully designing each itinerary to give photographers the best possible access to light, behaviour and habitat.
Through extensive long-term travel, Nick has photographed 2,500 bird species across Asia and Oceania, many at portrait-quality standard. In China alone he has documented over 1,200 species, working in every province and returning repeatedly to key locations to refine photographic opportunities, an experience that directly benefits photographers travelling with him.
His longer bird photography expeditions include a four-month journey across Melanesia, a three-month traverse of Xinjiang Autonomous Region in China's western frontier, and a four-month Himalayan journey from Kashmir, Ladakh and Bhutan to Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. These extended field projects have helped build deep regional knowledge and trusted local relationships.
Nick’s images have been published internationally, and his methods reflects a long-term commitment to careful, respectful bird photography. On tour, he is known for his organized, supportive approach and practical in-field guidance, helping bird photographers of all levels improve their work whilst enjoying unhurried time amongst the region’s most sought-after species.
(i) The guesthouses are all in close proximity to the bird photography locations. At one guesthouse there may be a requirement to share a room (ii) Walking is at a light pace (iii) There is one location where there is a requirement to hike and climb. (iv) None of the locations are at altitude (v) There is no camping. Summary: at one location it may be necessary to share a room and at another site there is a requirement to hike. Therefore, for these two reasons this trip has been has been graded as 'Medium'.
