Summary
Sumba Island in the Lesser Sunda (East Nusa Tenggara), is one of the most favorite places to visit in the last decade. Tourism grows up significantly every year. Most travelers come to Sumba to enjoy the landscapes and cultural heritage. As the number of tourist visits to this island increases, more and more treasures are discovered. Avifauna diversity is one of the attractive things discovered in Sumba. Since the bird diversity of Sumba is well-publicized, more and more bird watchers and bird photographers come to Sumba.
There is a National Park (previously there were two but have merged into one), called MATALAWA. It is the main destination for birding and bird photographing in Sumba. The other sites are the Savanah all over the island, a coastline with its mangroves, and swamps.
Key Birds of Sumba
Sumba Hornbill, Sumba buttonquail, Red-naped Fruit-dove, Marigold Lorikeet, Citron-crested Cockatoo, Sumba Green pigeon, Apricot-breasted Sunbird, Sumba Myzomela, Elegant Pitta, Sumba Boobook, Little Sumba Hawk-owl, Cinnamon-banded Kingfisher, Rufous-backed Dwarf Kingfisher, Sumba brown Flycatcher, Sumba Flycatcher, Pale-shouldered Cicadabird, Little Cuckoodove, Eclectus Parrot, Oriental Plover, Australian Pratincole, Pectoral Sandpiper, Osprey, Spotted Herrier, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Tenggara Paradise Flycatcher, Spectacled Monarch, Tenggara Whistler.
Itinerary
Day 1: Denpasar Waingapu
Arrive at Umbu Mehang Kunda Airport of Waingapu, East Sumba, me and the driver will pick up you then take you directly to the hotel for check-in. Afternoon visit Yumbu grassland to look for the rarest endemic of Sumba; Sumba Buttonquail and also the Tyto Alba ssp. sumbaensis. Continue birding at Laipori wetlands and shore for waterbird and shorebird.
Dinner and stay overnight at Villa Morinda or similar
Day 2: Waingapu – Birding in Billa forest
Depart early in the morning, and drive to Tambundung a district next to the national park. Lunch at the local house before birding at the national park till evening.
Dinner and stay overnight at Local homestay with a local family or at National Park ranger station, or even camping at the camping site.
Day 3: Birding at Billa – Back to Waingapu
Birding starts in the early morning to find another chance of seeing Sumba Boobook and Little Sumba Hwk-owl once missed them the night before. Half-day birding along the trail. Lunch at local house or at Ranger station then drive back to Waingapu.
Dinner and stay overnight at Villa Morinda or Similar
Day 4: Waingapu – Birding at Lewa dan Tanadaru
Depart at 06:00 am from the hotel, drive along the trans-Sumba highway to the west. Stop at km 70 off Lewa birding here till midday. Lunch at a local and very standard restaurant at Praingkareha. After lunch continue drive to the next section of National Park. Birding at the area till afternoon. Drive to Waikabubak.
Dinner at a local restaurant in Tambolaka and stay overnight at Sinar Tambolaka hotel or Similar
Day 5: Tambolaka – Denpasar
Free program in the morning or visit Manola traditional village. Another option is easy birding at Waimangura forest, near Tambolaka.
Contact Me for the tour detail and price:
Email: rimbaranaka@gmail.com
Whatsapp: +62 823 4086 5422
