Gunung Meja Nature Reserve is a forested hill rising directly behind Manokwari's city centre, offering trails through lowland rainforest and views over the bay. The forest is home to several species of birds of paradise, cuscus possums, kingfishers, and an extraordinary range of butterflies. Trails are well enough maintained for a morning hike without a guide, though a local guide dramatically improves your chances of spotting wildlife.
From the summit ridge the views stretch across Doreri Bay to the islands offshore and, on clear mornings, deep into the Arfak Mountains to the south. The reserve is a genuinely wild place despite being minutes from the city centre — a reminder that Manokwari sits at the edge of one of the most biologically diverse regions on earth.