Spangled Kookaburra— Photo: K. David Bishop

In a vast, seemingly limitless mosaic of swamps, grasslands, paperbark woodlands, and monsoon rainforest, the TransFly region of Papua New Guinea, and, in particular, the Bensbach area, literally teem with birds and other wildlife. Located in the extreme southwest corner of the country and accessible only by smaller aircraft, the remote and attractive Bensbach Lodge will be our home for four nights. Located on the banks of the lovely river of the same name, it provides birders with an incomparable opportunity to explore an exciting range of habitats, many of them from the comfort of an armchair in a specially-designed flat-bottomed riverboat, replete with cold drinks and a delicious luncheon.

With a bird list exceeding 230 species, some of the special birds of this area are Spangled Kookaburra, Fly River Grassbird, and White-spotted Munia, while the chance for New Guinea Harpy-Eagle, Great-billed Heron, Black-necked Stork, Brolga, and Australian Bustard are pretty good. Add to this herds of Rusa deer, New Guinea wild dogs, mobs of agile wallabies, and New Guinea crocodiles, and you have a complete wilderness wildlife adventure in comfort.

Very good accommodations; generally easy walking and most birding from customized river boats; typically warm to hot and humid, although our visit is during the coolest time of year.