1 March 2026

West Papua 25 Jan – 4 Feb 2026

A short trip and sorry tale from West Papua.  Trip report enclosed.

cheers

Murray

Post Views: 353

Post author

Murray T
I’ve had a life long interest in all wildlife (but mammals are the most interesting).   A follower of this site since it’s early days, but do acknowledge I’ve been a slacker when it comes to posting.  My work occasionally takes me to interesting places and I’m always on the lookout for wildlife when I travel. Otherwise you can find me living in Canberra, Australia
Post Views: 353

8 Comments

  • 1 March 2026
    Chad Johnson

    I’m making this exact trip in a few days and you have me terrified. I’m already trying to get in the zone that it’s not echidna or bust, though. I hope you saw the walking sharks. They walk on four legs and they aren’t reptiles, so they must be mammals. That’s a tick…

    2
    • 2 March 2026
      Murray T

      Hi Chad,
      The locals suggested the full moon during our stay may have affected the echidna’s normal habits. I think we might have just had bad luck. Despite missing it, Klalik is still worth a visit, so don’t despair. All the very best of luck on your quest. Murray (p.s yes we did see the sharks – so good luck with them)

  • 2 March 2026
    Jon Hall

    Sorry again Murray you weren’t lucky but thanks for the report. Also ‘and the food was great’ is a line I never thought I would read from a trip to West Papua. Things are changing!

    1
    • 2 March 2026
      Murray T

      Hi Jon – ha ha! yes – the food, it’s all relative I guess. We did seem to eat a lot of deep fried battered banana😀

      1
  • 2 March 2026
    axoxox

    I was there at the tail end of November last year and did happen to get the echidna on the first night 😛
    If it’s any consolation we did end up dipping out on Long-Fingered Triok… (and also didn’t see the stupid melampitta so I’ll have to be back!)

    Will also agree that I found food both at Klalik and the Arfaks to be quite good (although the latter appeared to have given me the runs, at least it only kicked in when we in Manokwari!)

    1
  • 6 March 2026
    Evan

    Sorry to hear that, and wishing you better luck next time! Would you be able to say the approximate price range of the Klalik-focused segment of your trip? Wondering if it’s in reach for me as a very low-budget traveler who’s trying to get to Raja Ampat for snorkeling in the next year.

    • 6 March 2026
      Daniel Boyland

      If Klalik is outside your budget, you could try the nearby village of Megame, which is at least half the price. They quoted me Rp 5,000,000 for three nights. I haven’t been there yet, so not sure how difficult it is to see echidnas, but they have posted a few sightings online: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1HFKBZ8EKz/

      They also see New Guinean quolls: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=754338084413117&set=pcb.754338357746423

      And occasionally grizzled tree-kangaroos: https://www.instagram.com/p/DAistDhTPCp/

      You can contact them on WhatsApp: +62 852 5092 7425

    • 6 March 2026
      Murray T

      Hi Evan,
      Why don’t you send Laode +62 822-7147-4443 a whats app. He’s very professional and reliable. It may take a day to respond as he’s often in the jungle guiding. We had dedicated trip – so all relative. See what he can do for you. Not the cheapest three days but when you add it up; hiring a 4WD, dedicated guides, (seemed to be half the village!), all food, accommodation, permits..and the piece of mind that everything is organised, in hindsight pretty reasonable. (Worked out several hundred USD a night.). Cheers Murray

Leave a Reply