Birdwatching in Waitanta, Raja Ampat Regency

There is a famous tourist spot in Raja Ampat Regency called Waitanta. The name combines Waigeo and Batanta Island, which is the home of turkeys. In the location, tourists can also perform birdwatching and witness natural scenery. Overall, it is suitable for those who love nature and local birds. Not to mention it is the conservation for famous red turkeys (Brujin). Since 2010, the location has been chosen as a recommended spot to observe birds and their natural habitat. No wonder, it also becomes one of the best vacation destinations in Raja Ampat.

The Nuance
As the name suggests, red turkeys have a different part than regular ones. The head color is red and their size is smaller than others. There are only several of them in Waitanta, as they are considered a rare animal. When it comes to the size of the conservation, it is moderate. Tourists are allowed to get near to the creature, as long as knowing the prime rule of it. Have no worries. Some keepers are available there, giving some guides and rules to visitors.

Exploring Waitanta
The local name of red turkeys is Mangkwap. Despite their presence, their number keeps decreasing over time. Due to this reason, the government has paid much attention to retaining their existence. Thanks to their efforts. Today, tourists are able to witness and observe those birds directly. It is even allowed to take pictures of those birds. They become a valuable creature in Raja Ampat, after all. Both tourists and nature lovers would likely to visit Waitanta to see them with their own eyes.

Being a rare species in Raja Ampat, both villagers and government take a good care of red turkeys. The thing is those birds are rarely seen in the field, so it takes much patience to encounter some of them. However, the keepers have created a special conservation to gather those turkeys in one location. They call it “Rumah Kalkun” or the house of turkeys. This helps visitors to witness such creature in comfort and an easier manner. In fact, Waitanta has become an official tourist site these days.

As for the tips, tourists should have learned some rules regarding a tour in Waitanta. For instance, they are not allowed to feed the turkeys. Taking pictures using a camera is allowed, though. If necessary, they need to hire a tour guide to get to the location easily. At the end of the trip, they may continue their adventure to other nearby tourist spots. Despite the cost, it is a worth an expense, so no one should miss it!

Nearby Attractions

• Waisai City
• Mansuar Island
• Kawe Island

How to Get There
The thing is Waitanta is available both on Waigeo and Batanta Island. Though, most tourists are likely to choose Waigeo. It is because of the easy accessibility, as they only need to take an airport to Marinda Airport, which resides in Waisai City. From there, they can take any type of transportation service to reach the location. The whole trip is tiring, but it is quite worthy.

Where to Stay

• Waigeo Villa
• Waiwo Dive Resort
• Cottage Water Waigeo