Butterfly
TRAVELLERS

INFORMATION

Travelers_info
PNG_Maps

Home Lodges Hotels Diving Tours Adventures

Last updated 1st January, 2005

  • TRAVELERS INFO
  • ART
  • BAGGAGE_REGULATIONS
  • CLIMATE
  • COMMUNICATION
  • CULTURAL_DISPLAYS
  • CURRENCY
  • ELECTRICAL VOLTAGE
  • FLYING_IN_PNG
  • FOOD
  • HEALTH REGULATIONS
  • INSURANCE AND MEDICAL
  • LANGUAGE
  • LAUNDRY SERVICE
  • MAPS_OF_PNG
  • LODGES
  • PASSPORT, VISA AND IMMIGRATION
  • PEOPLE AND POPULATION
  • PHOTOGRAPHY
  • PIDGIN - HELPFUL WORDS
  • POSTAGE RATES
  • READING LIST
  • SECURITY
  • SMOKING
  • TELEPHONES AND COMMUNICATIONS
  • TIME ZONE
  • TIPPING
  • TOURING
  • VIDEOS - SUGGESTED VIEWING
  • WATER SUPPLY
  • WILDERNESS LODGES - SEE LODGES
  • INTRODUCTION

    Dear Traveller,

    Welcome to the beautiful and fascinating country of PAPUA NEW GUINEA. You are about to embark on a rewarding travel adventure in which a world of the utmost natural beauty and vibrant cultures will be explored. To add to the enjoyment of your holiday and to ensure you have a smooth running trip, we provide the following advice and tips. Unlike many travel purveyors, the "warts and all" scenario is provided.

    Please carefully review this information and take it into serious consideration before arriving in Papua New Guinea, also referred to as PNG.

    Please also keep in mind while preparing for your visit and while travelling in Papua New Guinea, that although PNG is situated relatively close to other well developed South Pacific and Asian nations such as Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Tahiti, Indonesia and Singapore, PNG is somewhat isolated and as a result, most services and facilities, including transportation and tourism, are relatively underdeveloped by comparison. Unlike these countries and Africa, you are visiting a country with a tourist trade in it's infancy and thus you may have to deal with different situations along the way. PNG also has a culture which is completely different from others.

    Although these factors make for a unique experience, it may at times create circumstances which may become frustrating if the visitor does not remain patient and keep an open mind. If you come to Papua New Guinea with a spirit of adventure and a positive/flexible attitude, you will surely have only good memories to take home with you. We look forward to welcoming you in PNG!


    ART


    ART FORWARDING

    THINGS TO BUY


    BAGGAGE REGULATIONS


    CLIMATE


    CLOTHING AND CHECK LIST


    COMMUNICATING WITH PAPUA NEW GUINEANS


    CULTURAL DISPLAYS AND VILLAGE VISITS


    CURRENCY, CREDIT CARDS AND EXCHANGE


    ELECTRICAL VOLTAGE


    FLYING IN PNG


    FOOD


    HEALTH REGULATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS


    INSURANCE AND MEDICAL FACILITIES


    LANGUAGE


    LAUNDRY SERVICE


    LODGES

    KARAWARI LODGE is situated atop a ridge amidst a vast expanse of dense tropical lowland rainforest, overlooking the Karawari River 300 feet below. It is truly remote with the only means of transport in and out by charter air. Consisting of twenty rooms, a large main building which houses the dining room, lounge and bar, Karawari is arguably the most authentic jungle lodge in PNG. The main building and each accommodation unit is traditionally built from local materials giving an authentic and rustic air. A concession to western needs is a spacious and modern bathroom. Ceiling fans, mosquito-netted beds and a breezy verandah complete the ambience. There are two adjoining but separate and self contained rooms per building. A diesel generator provides power and is turned off at approximately 10:30pm each evening. Torches are available from reception. Power is turned on again at 6:00am each morning. The rooms are built of materials gathered from the rainforest and the roof is made from sago palm leaves. Small geckos don't discriminate between the sago palm and your roof and may rustle around during the night, no need for alarm. During the dry season beautiful green tree frogs sometimes take a bath in the toiletbowls! Please advise our staff and they will carefully remove any small visitor in your room and send it back off to its jungle home. Lights attract moths and insects. Turn off the verandah and room lights whilst you are at dinner. A small jet boat, river trucks with outboard motors and motorised dugout canoes are used in the river touring programs. Banks can be steep, muddy and slippery - old footwear is advisable. Driver/guides are always there to help.

    MV SEPIK SPIRIT is a large flat bottom boat, specifically designed for inland waterways. It is thirty metres long and has a ten metre beam, and a draft of one metre. It is powered by caterpillar and water jet engines. Three levels house the lounge, dining room and bar on the first floor, nine rooms each with its private bathroom on the second floor, and the third floor is the staff quarters and large covered observation area with comfortable seating. The boat is fully air-conditioned and the air-conditioned areas inside the boat are no smoking areas. Water storage is limited and guests are asked to use water sparingly. Touring is done in a smaller jet boat. A low water level in the river may mean a muddy bank to negotiate from the boat to the top of the river bank. Shoes worn on tours must be taken off and left on the shoe racks before entering the carpeted interior of the boat. Bring along an extra pair of casual light shoes or sandals for inside. There is no laundry service available on board Sepik Spirit. Published cruises are subject to change without notice due to operating conditions at the time of the cruise which may be low water levels and floating grass islands.

    AMBUA LODGE is an inspired mixture of local architecture, spectacular views and modest luxury. Recipient of the 1991 Pacific Asia Travel Association's "Pacific Heritage Award" which sighted AMBUA LODGE as a "superb example of culturally sensitive and ecologically responsible tourism". Forty individual units with private bathrooms, a large main building which houses the lounge, bar and dining room, a video room for viewing excellent PNG documentaries and a large heated spa and sauna complete this lodge set against pristine mountain rainforest in a spectacular mountain setting. Ambua generates power from its own mini hydro electric power plants, truly an environmental show piece. The lodge and units which are strung out along a steep ridge are built from bush materials. Every accommodation unit is reached by a series of paths and steps, downhill on the way home to bed and uphill to the main lodge for breakfast.

    Remember that Ambua is at an altitude of 7000 feet or 2100 metres, and that along with the gently sloping paths may cause you to breathe heavier than normal. Take your time, enjoy the magnificent mountain air and scenery and the beautiful flower gardens surrounding each accommodation unit and along the paths. You will find rhododendrons, ground orchids and many other exotic plants and flowers. Nature walks and paths through villages are generally wet and may be slippery, old footwear with good gripping soles is recommended. Rooms are tiled and can be cold on the feet for "night wanderings" - a light pair of slippers, thongs or similar would come in handy. Electric blankets and doonas, or continental quilts are provided. It is suggested that your electric blanket is turned on to #1 prior to leaving for dinner. Touring is by 18 seater buses, well sprung to cushion the ride over the roads which are unsealed and generally in poor condition.

    MALOLO PLANTATION LODGE is a picture perfect tropical setting complete with swaying palm trees and the volcanic island of Kar Kar on the distant seaward horizon. Malolo has 14 air- conditioned rooms with private bathroom and balcony facing the ocean. The lounge, bar and dining room are open on all sides to allow in the ocean breezes. A fresh water swimming pool, tennis court, lush tropical gardens and extensive lawns reaching down to the ocean, add to the pleasure. Electricity is drawn from the town power supply and at times can be unreliable. A backup generator is used during these time. Touring is done in mini buses along sealed roads. Snorkelling is supervised by Malolo's dive master and his assistant for the safety of clients and continued preservation of the reefs.


    PASSPORT, VISA AND IMMIGRATION PROCEDURES


    PEOPLE AND POPULATION


    PHOTOGRAPHY


    PIDGIN


    POSTAGE RATES


    READING LIST


    SECURITY


    SMOKING


    TELEPHONES/COMMUNICATIONS


    TIME ZONE


    TIPPING


    TOURING


    VIDEO - SUGGESTED VIEWING


    WATER SUPPLY