About Arfak Mountains Nature Reserve
The Arfak Mountains Nature Reserve (Cagar Alam Pegunungan Arfak) is a protected montane forest reserve in Pegunungan Arfak Regency, West Papua, Indonesia, northeast of Manokwari. Covering approximately 683 square kilometers, it protects the Arfak Mountains range, the highest in West Papua. Notable for exceptional biodiversity and endemic bird species including birds-of-paradise and bowerbirds, it encompasses cloud forests, alpine meadows, and the Anggi Lakes, and is a premier destination for birdwatching and ecological research.
Visitors guide
Visitors can expect a remote montane environment with dense cloud forest, mossy forests, alpine meadows and twin lakes (Anggi Giji and Anggi Gita). The reserve is accessed via rough mountain roads from Manokwari to villages such as Anggi and Syoubri. There are no developed tourist structures inside the reserve; exploration is on forest trails with local guides. Main experiences are birdwatching for endemic species, trekking, nature photography and staying in simple village homestays.
Key highlights
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One of New Guinea's most important centres of bird endemism with birds-of-paradise, bowerbirds and Arfak astrapia
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Montane cloud forest and moss forest ecosystems up to 2,955 m at Mount Arfak
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Twin highland lakes Anggi Giji and Anggi Gita within the reserve
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