Sulawesi possesses an impressive amount of biodiversity, and Tangkoko Nature Reserve is a wonderful place to explore it. This article covers essential information about visiting Tangkoko, alongside our own experiences over a 2.5-day stay. You can also watch our video summary below:
🐾 Our Wildlife Sightings Included Many Endemic Species:
• Mammals: The elusive Gursky’s Spectral Tarsier and the unique Sulawesi Bear Cuscus.
• Primates: The charismatic Sulawesi Black Macaque.
• Birds: The Sulawesi Scops Owl, the Nankeen Night Heron, and an incredible lineup of local kingfishers (including the Great-billed, Sulawesi Lilac, Green-backed, Blue-headed, Ruddy, and Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfisher), as featured in the video. Additionally, we spotted the Ornate Lorikeet, Rusty-backed Thrush, Sulawesi Babbler, and the Yellow-breasted Racket-tail.
• Invertebrates: The striking Sulawesi Black Tarantula.
Information About Tours at Tangkoko
All scenes in the video (except for the scops owl) were filmed in the lower section of the Tangkoko Nature Reserve, which sits right by the sea: Taman Wisata Alam Batu Putih (1.57018° N, 125.16323° E). We explored this area on two walking tours per day over a two-day period. The morning tour typically runs from 6:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., while the afternoon tour takes place from 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Each tour covers a distance of several kilometers, but the terrain is not challenging and features only minor changes in altitude. Normal, closed hiking shoes are perfectly sufficient. While leech socks are not required, long trousers are highly advisable. Tucking the ends of your trousers into your socks and applying plenty of mosquito repellent will effectively prevent bites from mites and ticks (thankfully, nobody in our group was affected).
Due to the tropical climate and extended walks, it is essential to carry enough water on every tour. Binoculars or a camera equipped with a telephoto lens are also incredibly helpful for birdwatching and photography.
The Sulawesi Scops Owl footage was captured along the road near our accommodation. On the third day, we took a car up to a lookout point at a higher altitude to experience a different environment and spot a unique variety of birds: Lookout Point (1.52119° N, 125.13703° E).
Accommodation and Guiding
There are multiple places to stay near the nature reserve. We chose the Tangkoko Sanctuary Villa (https://tangkokosanctuaryvilla.com) and were highly satisfied with our choice. The lodge can arrange local guides, and we were incredibly happy with our guide, Ono Tinungki (Check out his work on Instagram), and his team of experienced wildlife spotters, who even kindly offered to carry some of our heavier equipment.
At Sanctuary Villa, a water dispenser is available to refill your bottles, and there is a self-service area in the kitchen for hot drinks or toast before the morning tour when the main restaurant is still closed. While we didn’t notice any mini-markets nearby, the villa provides everything you need. Breakfast and lunch are served directly after the morning tour, and dinner is available after the evening tour. The rooms were very clean and comfortable.
Travel to Tangkoko and Nearby Areas (Bunaken, Bangka, Lembeh Strait)
Tangkoko is roughly a 1-hour drive from Manado Airport (MDC), and your accommodation can easily help arrange a car and driver. While ride-hailing services like Grab work well within Manado city, they are not available in the remote areas surrounding Tangkoko.
If you love the ocean, there are three world-class scuba diving destinations located within less than two hours of Tangkoko and Manado:
1. Bunaken National Park: Famous for breathtaking wall dives and excellent snorkeling.
2. Banka Island: Known for vibrant reefs and beautiful soft corals.
3. Lembeh Strait: Very famous for muck diving and critter photography.
You can find dedicated videos about these marine environments right here on this website, as well as on my YouTube Channel.
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Ingo Moench Photography 