Certainly! Here’s a detailed 18-day birding itinerary that starts from Palangka Raya, moves to Sebangau National Park, and finishes at Tanjung Puting National Park. This itinerary offers a comprehensive birding experience across diverse habitats in Central Kalimantan, including peat swamp forests, rivers, and rainforests, with a focus on endemic and rare bird species.
Day 1: Arrival in Palangka Raya
Arrive at Palangka Raya Airport (PKY).
Transfer to your hotel in Palangka Raya.
Afternoon Birding: Explore Taman Kalimantan and the nearby areas for common species like:
Yellow-vented Bulbul
Olive-backed Sunbird
Common Myna
Eurasian Tree Sparrow
Overnight in Palangka Raya.
Day 2: Birding in Palangka Raya
Morning: Visit Sungai Kereng or nearby wetlands for species like:
Mangrove Blue Flycatcher
Pied Fantail
Rufous-collared Kingfisher
Yellow-bellied Bulbul
Afternoon: Explore Taman Kalimantan park for species like:
Purple-throated Sunbird
Black-crowned Night Heron
Common Tailorbird
Overnight in Palangka Raya.
Day 3: Palangka Raya to Sebangau National Park
Morning: Depart for Sebangau National Park (approx. 2-3 hours drive).
Afternoon: Arrive and start birding in the peat swamp forests of Sebangau. Look for species like:
Storm’s Stork
Bornean Crested Fireback
Bornean Hornbill
White-crowned Hornbill
Bornean Ground Cuckoo
Overnight at Sebangau in a local eco-lodge or camp.
Day 4-5: Full Days in Sebangau National Park
Day 4: Full day birding in Sebangau National Park. Focus on the peat swamp forest and river systems:
Bornean Babbler
Black-headed Ibis
Rufous-collared Kingfisher
Bornean Pitta
Lesser Adjutant
Yellow-bellied Bulbul
Day 5: Continue exploring the forest and nearby river systems. Look for nocturnal species at night:
Bornean Eared Nightjar
Large Frogmouth
Barn Owl
Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker
Overnight in Sebangau.
Day 6: Sebangau to Lamandau Wildlife Reserve
Morning: Depart for Lamandau Wildlife Reserve (3-4 hours by car).
Afternoon: Birding along the Lamandau River and forest edges for species such as:
Pygmy Woodpecker
Green Ibis
Black-crowned Night Heron
Yellow-billed Stork
Overnight in Lamandau at a lodge or eco-camp.
Day 7-8: Full Days in Lamandau Wildlife Reserve
Day 7: Full day of birding along the Lamandau River and surrounding areas for species such as:
Bornean Blue Flycatcher
Bornean Cuckoo-Dove
Scarlet-breasted Flowerpecker
Whiskered Tern
Great-billed Heron
Black-winged Stilt
Day 8: More birding in Lamandau, focusing on river systems and forest edges:
Masked Owl
Lesser Adjutant
Yellow-rumped Flowerpecker
Rufous-collared Kingfisher
Overnight in Lamandau.
Day 9: Lamandau to Nanga Bulik
Morning: Depart for Nanga Bulik (4-5 hours by car).
Afternoon: Birding in rainforest habitats around Nanga Bulik:
Bornean Bristlehead
Bornean Treepie
Yellow-rumped Flowerpecker
Crested Jay
Overnight in Nanga Bulik (homestay or local lodge).
Day 10: Full Day Birding in Nanga Bulik
Morning: Continue exploring the rainforest trails in Nanga Bulik. Look for species like:
Bornean Green Magpie
Bornean Wren-Babbler
Crested Fireback
Bornean Cuckoo-Dove
Afternoon: Explore deeper into the rainforest. Target species include:
Rufous-bellied Eagle
Bornean Gibbon
Bornean Pitta
Overnight in Nanga Bulik.
Day 11: Nanga Bulik to Danau Sembuluh (Sembuluh Lake)
Morning: Travel to Danau Sembuluh (4-5 hours by car).
Afternoon: Birding around Sembuluh Lake for waterbirds like:
Yellow-billed Stork
Purple Heron
Lesser Whistling Duck
Whiskered Tern
Overnight at a lodge near the lake.
Day 12: Full Day at Danau Sembuluh
Morning: Take a boat trip on Sembuluh Lake for more birding, focusing on species such as:
Black-crowned Night Heron
Yellow-billed Stork
Great White Egret
Cinnamon Bittern
Afternoon: Continue birding around the lake and surrounding forests:
Pied Kingfisher
Great Egret
Black-winged Stilt
Overnight at Sembuluh Lake.
Day 13: Sembuluh to Pangkalan Bun
Morning: Depart for Pangkalan Bun (5-6 hours by car).
Afternoon: Arrive in Pangkalan Bun and relax. Take a short walk to spot urban species like:
Common Myna
Oriental Magpie-Robin
Eurasian Tree Sparrow
Olive-backed Sunbird
Overnight in Pangkalan Bun.
Day 14-15: Tanjung Puting National Park (Boat Trip)
Day 14: Depart for Tanjung Puting National Park. Board a boat and start birding along the Sekonyer River:
Rhinoceros Hornbill
Bornean Sunbird
Cinnamon-headed Pigeon
Great Hornbill
Proboscis Monkey
Day 15: Full day birding along the river and forest trails. Look for species like:
Bornean Orangutan
Scarlet-rumped Trogon
White-crowned Hornbill
Bornean Leafbird
Red-leaf Monkey
Overnight in Tanjung Puting (on the boat or eco-lodge).
Day 16: Full Day in Tanjung Puting National Park
Morning: Birding along the Sekonyer River, looking for species like:
Black-headed Ibis
Blue-throated Bee-eater
Bornean Gibbon
Long-tailed Parakeet
Afternoon: Continue birding in the park, exploring trails and boat channels for:
Chestnut-breasted Malkoha
Bornean Blue Flycatcher
Lesser adjutant
Overnight in Tanjung Puting National Park.
Day 17: Full Day in Tanjung Puting National Park
Morning: Explore more of Tanjung Puting for additional species:
Black Hornbill
Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker
Whiskered Pitta
Pygmy Kingfisher
Afternoon: Continue birding, focusing on rarer species such as:
Bornean Stork-billed Kingfisher
Great-billed Heron
Black-crowned Night Heron
Overnight in Tanjung Puting.
Day 18: Departure from Tanjung Puting / Pangkalan Bun
Morning: Final birding session in Tanjung Puting to spot any remaining species.
Afternoon: Return to Pangkalan Bun.
Transfer to Pangkalan Bun Airport (PKN) for your departure.
Key Target Species
Bornean Endemics: Bornean Bristlehead, Bornean Wren-Babbler, Bornean Ground Cuckoo, Bornean Green Magpie, Bornean Hornbill, Bornean Pitta, Bornean Cuckoo-Dove, Bornean Crested Fireback.
Other Highlights: Proboscis Monkey, Great Hornbill, Rhinoceros Hornbill, Storm’s Stork, Bornean Orangutan, Black-headed Ibis, Scarlet-rumped Trogon, Chestnut-breasted Malkoha.
Best Time to Visit
Dry Season (March to October) for optimal birding conditions.
Notes
Guides: Local guides are highly recommended for expert bird identification and navigation of remote areas.
Accommodations: In remote areas like Tanjung Puting, accommodations are typically on eco-lodges or boats.