Recommendation for first time visitors (4 Viewers)

[iraqbabbler]

I'm planning a trip this July for a couple of weeks (10-14 days), and I was thinking about Indonesia as a possible choice. I've birded PNG, peninsular Malaysia, Thailand and many other places around that part of the world, but never Indonesia.

My budget is around US$100-200 per day, and I'm thinking of hiring local guides around the various sites. I have a friend who might join me (and share costs).
Which island would members recommend? I'm not a twitcher, but I would like to see as many species as possible.

 

[DMW]

I'd recommend Sulawesi.

 

[iraqbabbler]

OK, silly follow-up question, but please bear with me.
Can I just arrange accommodation at or near birding sites, go there, and expect to hire guides when I get there? .. or should I organize all that stuff beforehand? If the latter, then can anyone recommend a guide who charges reasonable rates please?

 

[DMW]

It's a long time since I was there, but several sites had "go to" resident guides. Tangkoko in particular has quite a few good guides who live close to the reserve. I'd look for recent trip reports on Cloudbiders for up to date details.

 

[Welsh Peregrine]

14 days should give enough time to do Sulawesi and Halmahera; the latter has Ivory-breasted Pitta and Wallace’s Standardwing. I believe a new reliable site for these has now been found (yes, not seeing the Pitta despite hearing 3 at once hurts!)

 

[iraqbabbler]

I'm not really after particular endemics. Instead, my aim is to see as many species as possible.

I've also just found out that Sulawesi and Halmahera have no broadbills, and that's a major downside for me. I've seen Silver-breasted and (briefly) Long-tailed before in Thailand, as well as Red-and-Black in Vietnam, but I want to see as many broadbills as possible on this trip I'm considering.

I'm afraid both those islands are down the bottom of the list.
Back to square one.
Any other recommendations please?

 

[DMW]

If you want to see Broadbills, then most of Indonesia gets nuked and you are left with the Greater Sundas. Borneo is the place for these.

 

[iraqbabbler]

I wonder if I'd be better off going to another country; (peninsular) Malaysia, or even Thailand?

 

[cendrawasih]

Do you need to see just a broadbill or do you want to get as many broadbill as possible? if yes, I recommend visiting java for a bit, since you will most likely arrive here from overseas before going to sulawesi/halmahera. if you arrive at jakarta, try to visit Cibodas for 2-3 days and then go back to jakarta and have flight to sulawesi