Papua New Guinea is a natural and cultural treasure waiting to be discovered! Lying just a few kilometers north of Australia, it has more than 600 islands and is part of the great arc of mountains that line the entire country with many peaks over 4000m. Its main rivers are Fly, Sepik and Ramu. The warm rainforests that cover three quarters of Papua New Guinea is a perfect setting for a vast array of animals and birds, two thirds of which are endemic to Papua New Guinea. These include more than 700 species of birds and over 190 species of animals including marsupials, egg laying mammals, bats, reptiles and amphibians. The Papuans who gained independence from the British in 1901, the Germans in 1914 and the Australians in 1975, speak over 850 indigenous languages and are also probably the most culturally diverse and vibrant people. Beckoning the wildlifer with a beautiful kaleidoscope of lush volcanic mountains, serene rivers, coastal lowlands filled with wildlife, Papua New Guinea is as wild as can be.
Papua New Guinea is easily accessible by flights into its international airport Port Moresby Airport (POM). Air Niugini its largest airline has flights to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Manila and Tokyo. Hence Papua New Guinea can be reached via these stopovers which have direct flights from India. Air Nuigini also flies to 20 destinations within Papua New Guinea. Airlines Papua New Guinea is also a very popular domestic airline. Charter airlines also operate in this region and can be taken for remote locations inside the rainforest. Travelling by roads is also possible via Public Transport (PMV or Public Motor Vehicle) or Taxi, however most roads are rugged or non-existent. Hiring a car or driving around is not advisable due safety and security issues.
This region lies in the north of Papua New Guinea with mountains peaking to more than 13000ft, the highest one standing tall at 14793ft. The highlands have five provinces – the Eastern, Western and Southern Highlands, Enga and Simbu provinces. The region is very densely populated due favourable fertile valleys and mountains and is home to several cultures, plantations including coffee plantations, insects, rare animals and birds including birds of paradise. The Southern Highlands called the Papuan Wonderland, is famous for Mt. Giluwe, the second highest Mountain and the Ambua Lodge in the Tari Basin. It is also home to the most vibrant and largest ethnic group Huli. The Eastern Highlands is famous for the Asaro Mud Mask. The Enga Province has the famous birdwatcher’s lodge, called the Kumul lodge. The Simbu Province is the center of the highlands and has the famous Mt. Wilhelm, the highest peak at 4509m. The Western Highlands has the Baiyer River Wildlife Sanctuary, home to the largest population of Birds of Paradise in the world. It also has the famous Mount Hagen, its capital.
ACCESS :The Highlands region is easily accessible by road and by air. Air Nuigini and other domestic and charter carriers operate in the region.
SIZE :62,400 sq.km
WILDLIFE:A Birdwatcher’s paradise, the highlands have over 700 species of birds including Birds of Paradise, Palm Cuckatoo, Bowerbirds, Black and Brown Sicklebills. Many rare animals, including the tree kangaroo, possums, wallabies and rodents are found here. Other residents are the Dragon lizards, Monitor lizards, legless lizards amongst 170 species of lizards. More than a hundred species of skinks and snakes, thousands of rare moths and butterflies, 160 species of frogs and countless beetles and insects are found here.
ACTIVITIES:Birdwatching, 4x4 wheel drive, Walking and Trekking
Sukau is beautifully located on the lower banks of the Kinabatangan River and borders the Kinabatangan Wildlife sanctuary. The Kinabatangan river seems never ending with a length of 560kms and is rich in Borneo’s primates, mainly 10 in number that include the Proboscis Monkey, Maroon Langur and the Borneon Gibbon that are endemic to Borneo.
ACCESS :Air and Water Transport commonly used for transport. Roads also connect places in the Region.
SIZE :29,998 sq.km
WILDLIFE:The dense rainforests of the Papua region are rich in Marsupial species, like possums, wallabies, tree kangaroos and cuscus. There are over 180 mammals and approximately 700 species of birds, like King Bird of Paradise, Flame Bower Bird, cassowaries, crowned pigeon, great billed heron, little paradise kingfisher, emerald ground dove, curlews, ruddy turnstones, Brolga, superb pitta and a host of migratory birds. Also recorded are 800 species of spiders, 200 frogs, 30000 beetles, 70 bat species including the Bulmers fruit bat found in a cave in the western province. The world’s largest monitor lizard, the Papua Monitor and the world’s largest butterfly, Queen Alexandra Birdwing are also found here. Other residents are crocodiles, flying foxes, tree monitors, rusa deer, wallabies and several species of fishes and other marine life.
ACTIVITIES:Trekking, Bushwalking, Deep sea fishing, Diving, Snorkeling, Surfing and Canoeing
This region is made up of 4 provinces – Madange, Morobe, East and West Sepik. The highlight of this Region is the beautiful Sepik River. Madange Province is a very popular destination amongst anglers and divers due to its picturesque location amongst volcanic mountains, Sade trees, greens and beautiful, unique aquatic flora and fauna and sunken ships. The Morobe Province is dominated by highlands and majestic mountains covered with lush green rainforests and volcanic islands provide a great opportunity to view both land and aquatic wildlife. It is easily accessible via Lae, the capital of Morobe and the second largest city of Papua New Guinea. East Sepik Province is filled with great history and beauty. The Sepik River, the world’s largest waterway is a lifeline to not only Human inhabitants, but also to several species of land, air and aquatic wildlife. The headwaters of Sepik river are located in the West Sepik Province. Dense Rainforests, Pristine beaches, beautiful lagoons and mysterious caves make up this province.
ACCESS :The provinces are easily accessible through their capitals, via Land, Air and Water Transports.
SIZE :142,600 sq.km
WILDLIFE:Hornbills, cockatoos, cuscuses and tree kangaroos amongst other extraordinary birds animals.
ACTIVITIES:Trekking, Bushwalking, Deep sea fishing, Diving, Snorkeling, Surfing and Canoeing.
Tailor-made holidays & tours for the discerning traveller
Probably the greatest wildlife spectacle on planet with over 1,245,000 wildebeest, 200,000 Burchell’s zebra, 18,000 eland and 500,000 Thomson’s Gazelle filling the entire stretch of the landscape.
Aberdare National Park and Masai Mara, internal flight included.
Enquire