Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Hiking and Camping in Mesirrokow Forest of Manokwari

I have just returned from the jungle of Mesirrokow in the northwest of Manokwari. The lowland river forest in the area is an ideal place for hiking, camping and birdwatching. During the 3-day/ 2-night tour, I saw such birds as Sulphur Crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita), Brahmimy Kite (Haliastur indus), Large-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus mucrurus), Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius), Grey Crow (Corvus tristis), Willie Wagtail (Rhypidura leucophrys), Papuan hornbill (Rhyiceros plicatus).
Camping in the river-forest of Mesirrokow of Manokwari
I also saw soa-soa lizard that was running away from us when he heard our foot-steps. Perhaps, he was drinking water from the river. There were also footprints of deers and wild-pigs that we saw on the sand banks of the rivers.
Most of the area on both sides of the river was flat. It was an ideal place for nature lovers who want to explore the tropical rainforest of West Papua.
In addition to birds, and butterflies, the river environment in Mesirrokow forest has got some colorful aquatic flowers, perhaps from the genus of eichhornia and New Guinea passion flowers that look small but beautiful.



Riverwalk in Mesirrokow forest of Manokwari
Hiking, Camping, and Birdwatching Tour
As a tour guide, I could organize 3 to 5 days tour in the river-forest of Mesirrokow. Visitors will stay at the tents that will be built on the sand banks of the river. Riverwalk, birdwatching, swimming or fishing are some of the works which tourists can do in the river.
For birdwatching, Mesirrokow river is an ideal site for watching lowland birds. There are plenty of Papuan hornbill, and Sulphur Crested Cockatoo along the forest edges. A good pair of binoculars or spotting scope is needed to watch birds that perch on distant trees or fly in the sky.
Nature lovers can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the forest if they walk deeper into the jungle.

How to visit Mesirrokow River Forest?

  • Just fly from your country to Jakarta (the capital of Indonesia)
  • Continue your air trip to Manokwari. Flight services are provided by Garuda, Sriwijaya, Express Air to Manokwari.
  • I could meet you at Manokwari airport or a hotel and organize tour to the jungle.
What you need to bring
  • Water shoes and flip-flops
  • Anti-insect lotion and sun block
  • Flashlight/ torch
  • Spotting scope/ binoculars
  • Birds of New Guinea by Thane K Pratt and Bruce Beehler (as your birding reference)
  • Ziploc bags for your passport and electronic devices (camera, cell phone, etc.)
Booking
Please, contact me (Charles Roring) by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com
Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius) at the bank of Mesirrokow river - Manokwari



Merchandise

Please, support this blog by buying art drawings and illustrations of wild animals and plants in the form of prints on various products as follows:

Watercolour Sketch of Bird

Watercolour Sketch of Bird
Fruit Dove from Tropical Rainforest

Vector Art Drawing in Inkscape

Vector Art Drawing in Inkscape
Swimming with Whaleshark

Vector art illustration in Inkscape

Vector art illustration in Inkscape
Baby leatherback turtle was reaching for the sea

Drawing of Paradise Bird

Drawing of Paradise Bird
Lesser Birds of Paradise art print on classic T-shirt

Digital Drawing in Autodesk Sketchbook

Digital Drawing in Autodesk Sketchbook
A Couple of Red Bird of Paradise