If you’re looking for one of the best birdwatching experiences in Indonesia, Way Kambas National Park in Sumatra should be at the top of your list. This pristine lowland forest is a paradise for bird lovers, and on 28 July 2025, a group of guests from the Netherlands, UK, France, and Germany proved just how rich this ecosystem is spotting 73 different bird species in just three days.
Sunrise in the Heart of the Forest
Each day began at 4:00 AM, when the jungle was still wrapped in mist and alive with the first calls of the day. Guided by our professional local experts, Yoko and Toni, the group explored hidden forest trails, riversides, and grasslands. They ventured through Way Kanan, cruised along Kali Biru River, and visited PLG (Pusat Latihan Gajah) each location revealing different species and habitats.
Species Spotted Over 3 Days
Day 1 Highlights
Sunda Scops Owl, Large Frogmouth, Banded Woodpecker, Sunda Crow, Short-tailed Babbler, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Orange-backed Woodpecker, Red-eyed Bulbul, Sooty Barbet, Red-crowned Barbet, Pin-striped Tit-Babbler, Chestnut-winged Babbler, White-bellied Woodpecker, Ashy Tailorbird, Rufous-tailed Tailorbird, Asian Emerald Dove, Banded Kingfisher, Red-naped Trogon, Buff-necked Woodpecker, Buff-rumped Woodpecker, Sooty-capped Babbler, Fluffy-backed Tit-Babbler, Malayan Crested Fireback, Red Junglefowl, Red-billed Malkoha, Black-and-yellow Broadbill, Brown Boobook.
Day 2 Highlights
Sunda Frogmouth, Rufous-collared Kingfisher, Malayan Banded-Pitta, Pied Triller, Malaysian Pied-Fantail, Eastern Barn Owl, Malaysian Blue Flycatcher, Little Egret, Pacific Swallow, White-throated Kingfisher, Common Iora, Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker, Paddyfield Pipit, Long-tailed Shrike, Zebra Dove, Yellow-vented Bulbul, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Blue-eared Kingfisher, Scarlet Minivet, Little Green Pigeon, Cinnamon-headed Green Pigeon, Dollarbird, Green Imperial-Pigeon, Blue-winged Leafbird, Black-and-red Broadbill, Brahminy Kite, Oriental Magpie Robin, Purple Heron, Blue-throated Bee-eater, Bushy-crested Hornbill, Savanna Nightjar, Malaysian Eared-Nightjar, Crested Serpent-Eagle.
Day 3 Highlights
Scaly-crowned Babbler, Cream-vented Bulbul, Rufous-tailed Shama, Black-bellied Malkoha, Gray-chested Jungle Flycatcher, Red-bearded Bee-eater, Rufous-winged Philentoma, Green Iora, Ferruginous Babbler, Black-eared Barbet, White-chested Babbler, Raffles’s Malkoha, Banded Broadbill.
More Than Just a Place to Sleep
Back at Satwa Sumatra Ecolodge, located just 400 meters from the park entrance, the birdwatching continued. This eco-friendly lodge is part of the park’s living ecosystem, with 158 bird species recorded on-site according to eBird. Guests have also encountered the elusive Kukang (slow loris) during guided night walks making the experience even more memorable.
Why Way Kambas Should Be Your Next Birdwatching Destination
Way Kambas National Park is recognized as one of Indonesia’s top birding spots, offering accessible trails, rich biodiversity, and rare species. Whether you’re a seasoned birder chasing lifers or a nature traveler seeking unforgettable wildlife encounters, this park delivers an experience you’ll remember for a lifetime.
Plan your trip and let the forests, rivers, and wildlife of Sumatra surprise you just as they did for our guests who left with 73 new species ticked off their list and hearts full of wild beauty.
