Experience the ultimate bird photography adventure in Papua New Guinea, led by an accomplished bird photographer with extensive field experience in the region. This carefully designed tour traverses the country’s most productive habitats, from cool montane forests and moss-draped highlands to steamy lowland rainforest. With expert guidance, you’ll photograph some of the world’s most extraordinary birds, including multiple Birds-of-Paradise, vibrant kingfishers, honeyeaters, pigeons, and a wealth of PNG endemics found nowhere else. Each location is selected for photographic potential, offering close encounters, clean backgrounds, and opportunities for striking behavioral and display images.
Papua New Guinea stands apart as a true pinnacle destination for bird photography, combining unrivaled diversity with a sense of wild authenticity. Here, birds perform elaborate courtship displays in natural forest arenas, often at close range and in beautiful light. Low visitor numbers and minimal photographic pressure allow for unspoiled encounters and images that remain rare even among seasoned professionals. Rich color, dramatic forms, and constant avian activity make every session visually rewarding. This tour is not simply a photographic journey, but an immersion into one of the last great strongholds of avian spectacle on Earth.
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 / Raggianna Bird-of-Paradise / Growling Riflebird / King Bird-of-Paradise
Kingfishers: Azure Kingfisher / Brown-headed Paradise Kingfisher / Yellow-billed Kingfisher / Shovel-billed Kingfisher / Papuan Dwarf Kingfisher / Melanesian Kingfisher / Sacred Kingfisher / Beach Kingfisher / Blue-winged Kookaburra / Blue-winged Kookaburra
Others: Papuan Lorikeet / MacGregor’s Bowerbird / Barred Owlet-Nightjar / Papuan Frogmouth / Papuan Boobook / Barking Owl
Includes All Domestic Flights and Boat Charters
Guiding Fees / Ground Transportation / Accommodation / Meals / Entrance Fees / Tipping for Drivers, Boatsmen, Hotel and Restaurant Staff.
International Flights / VISA Fees / Travel Insurance / Tips for Local Guide / Alcohol / Laundry / Items of a Personal Nature
Days 1-2 National Capital District, Port Moresby [1N, 0D, 0S]. Arrive Port Moresby International and transfer to hotel.
Days 2-7 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-eyed Owlet Nightjar / Shovel-billed Kingfisher / Black Sicklebill / Magnificent Riflebird.
Days 10-15 Western Highlands Province [5N, 4D, 8S]. Domestic Flight from Western Province to Western Highlands Province. Photographic Targets: King of Saxony Bird-of-Paradise / Princess Stephanie’s Astrapia / Brown Sicklebill / Short-tailed Paradigalla / Ribbon-tailed Astrapia / Lesser Bird-of-Paradise / Crested Satinbird / Blue Bird-of-Paradise / Raggianna Bird-of-Paradise / Lawes’s Parotia / MacGregor’s Bowerbird.
Days 15-20 Central Province, Varirata National Park [5N, 4D, 9S]. 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 20 National Capital District, Port Moresby [0N, 0D, 0S]. Transfer to Port Moresby Airport for International Departures [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'.
: Admiralty Islands
