Simon Kolomsusu and his son Fritz are based in Yenbeser and specialise in Red Bird of Paradise observation and cultural tours
Phone: +6282291504538
Email: None
Based at Gam Island’s Yenbeser village, Simon can introduce you to local culture and significant sites as well as organise trips to see the Red Birds of Paradise dawn display in the jungle near the village.
Simon’s signature tour is a longboat journey deep into the heart of Gam Island, following in the footsteps of the famed naturalist Alfred Wallace. The trip begins at Yenbeser and enters the fjordlike inlet that penetrates Gam’s interior. At the end of the inlet is the Dore Mkun lagoon, from where Wallace hiked into the jungle to establish a base camp for his research. At the place where Wallace camped there’s a reconstruction of the hut described in his journal and Simon has located two nearby trees where Red Birds of Paradise display. Hides allow observation without disturbing the birds. Sturdy footwear is recommended if you’re going to visit the hides – there’s a lot of sharp limestone on the climb to the one above the lagoon.
In addition to Birds of Paradise there’s a wealth of other birdlife in the jungle, including mound building jungle fowl and green pigeons. It’s also possible to visit the caves along the access waterway where local people hid from Second World War battles and bombing raids. Ask Simon about the jungle grove where bamboo containers – relics of ancient healing rites – can still be seen.