UJUNG KULON BIRDING TOUR

 

Duration : 4 - 7 Days (slow boat)
Star - Finish : Carita - Jakarta
Price : Contact Us

Tour Itineray

Key bird species:

Javan Barred Owlet, Javan Frogmouth; Banded Kingfisher; Lineated Barbet; Banded Pitta; Javan Cuckoo-shrike; White-breasted Babbler; Grey-cheeked Tit Babbler; Fulvous-chested Jungle Flycatcher, Crimson Sunbird, Javan Sunbird; seabirds.

Birdwatching locations:

Ujung Kulon is a big, wild, and inaccessible national park occupying the south-western tip of Java. For those with time on their hands, exploring this park means entering a real wilderness where pristine forest ends on white sand beaches. Your chances of seeing wild Javan Rhino are remote, but you chances of encountering most of Java’s lowland forest specialities is pretty high.

The options for birding in Ujong Kulon are a bit all or nothing. Undoubtedly the best option for seeing the most is to take on a week-long trek along the south coast and crossing the peninsular to Cidaun at the western end of the park. This will take you through the full range of coastal scrub and forest and pristine lowland rainforest. The walking is pretty tough (much of it on sand) but the opportunities this would provide for birding would be hard to beat. If you add an extra day or so and take the trail to the furthest point of mainland Java at the Tanjung Layar Lighthouse the opportunities for seeing seabirds are very good, with Brown Booby, Streaked Shearwater, Wedge-tailed Shearwater, Bulwer’s Petrel and Christmas Island Frigatebird all being recorded in the past.

For those without the time or inclination to make the long walk in, the alternatives are to visit one of two small islands that lie just offshore of the main peninsular. The first  option is to visit Pulau Handeuleum. This small island is on the north side of the park and is dominated by mangrove around its edges and a small area of proper forest in its centre. The second option is to visit Pulau Peucang. This island lies off the western side of the park, opposite Cidaun and is bigger with more forest (plus better views of the sea if you were inclined to try a bit of seawatching). The birding on these islands is likely to be more limited than on the main peninsula, but you should still be able to pick up many of the good birds on offer. It may also be able to combine a trip to the islands with a bit of exploration on the mainland

CARITA  FOREST

Key bird species:

Javan Owlet; Brown Boobook; Barred Eagle Owl; Collared (Sunda) Scops Owl; Oriental Bay Owl; Javan Frogmouth; Banded Kingfisher; Lineated Barbet; Black-banded Barbet; Javan Banded Pitta; Javan Cuckooshrike; Fulvous-chested Jungle-Flycatcher; Javan (Grey-cheeked) Tit Babbler; Crimson Sunbird; Javan Sunbird. Javan (White-breasted) Babbler also occurred at this site, but there have been no records in recent years. Carita is the name of a small patch of protected forest on the western end of Java. The forest is pretty degraded, but remains one of the most easily accessible places to see a number of Javan lowland forest endemics

For the best daytime birding, take the main trail, or any side trails that look like they go towards nice looking habitat. None of the habitat is pristine here, so you are in the right place! Barbets are regularly seen and heard along the first few hundred metres of the waterfall trail as it follows the side of a steep valley. Javan Banded Pitta can be seen and heard almost anywhere here, including in very degraded areas and the plantations. Banded Kingfisher is most often recorded in the big trees near the start of the waterfall trail (where it changes from a car track to a footpath and a small shop is sometimes present). Javan Babbler used to be seen along the trail to the waterfall in areas of dense forest, but it has not been recorded in last few years. Halimun Salak now seems to be the most reliable location for this Javan endemic.

By night Carita is a lot of fun. The first section of the track from the forest edge to the car park is great for Javan Frogmouth, and the area around the car park is good for Javan Owlet. Try taking the small footpath heading uphill from the carpark just to the south of the main track. Javan Owlet are regular along this trail and can even be seen by day. The Owlet has also been recorded from the forest remaining around the bungalows by following the road rather than taking the trail to the waterfall. Collared Scops Owl is common, and Brown Boobook is also present. You will be doing well to see Oriental Bay Owl or Barred Eagle Owl, but there have been recent records of both species, so they are still here. Javan Ebony Langur, Colugo and Leopard Cat are also seen here.

The Package includes :
- Picked up/drop off from and to Jakarta
- 4 - 6  night at Ujung Kulon
- Woodent Boat - private charter boat.
- Guide tour Speaking English.
- Entry permit
- Full board meal (Breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Mineral water, cold soft drink and snack.
- Snorkeling equipment.

The Package excludes :
- Alcohol beverage
- Personal expenses (Laundry, phone call etc)
- Tips & gratuities

What you have to bring : Light clothes like T-shirts One small backpack and comfortable boots for jungle treks (additional sandals for for explorer & observation treks) light and warm socks, raincoat, plastic or waterproof bag for your personal belongings, hut, sunglasses, sun lotion, insect repellent, toilet paper, camera, mobilphone and cards, swimming suit and towel ersonal medical kit and recommended medicine like anti diarrhea medicine, dehydration salt, aspirin and antibiotic

Tips for visitors : To avoid the adverse effect of severe heat, smear uncovered skin with sunblock and to protect your health, use antimosquito cream while traversing the forest. Wear muted-color garments while watching animals in their habitat or grazing locations. For safety's sake during a trip, every group of tourists is advised to use the services of a guide. Don't disturb or feed wild animals in the national park, especially long-tailed macaques on Peucang island, which look so tame. Don't throw rubbish in the park, but collect and take it back to the guest house or outside the park. Obey all regulations effective in the national park and also the local customs.