Tailor-made Papua New Guinea: Introduction

To visit Papua New Guinea is to step into a world where tourism is not yet an industry; to be among the first to discover a beautiful country of folded mountains and remote tribes, untouched rainforests, vast river deltas and pristine coral waters.

PNG, as it is known locally, is home to the largest intact rainforest outside the Amazon, a natural sanctuary where sheer remoteness has protected countless species, from iridescent birds of paradise to the huge flightless cassowary. Its tribal population is no less diverse, with more than 700 languages hinting at the wealth of different traditions, customs and costumes you will find. In the Highland regions, first explored by westerners in the 1930s, spectacular rituals live on in a vivid world of feathered headdresses and tribal sing sings, while the slow waters of the Sepik River flow past a panorama of rainforest cultures little changed over the ages.

The coastline is fringed by beautiful beaches, colourful coconut plantations and volcanic islands. Here, New Britain is home to stark reminders of PNG’s role in World War II, and more recently the dramatic effects of volcanic activity. However, exposure to western influence has done little to change the age-old values and beliefs of the welcoming people who are proud of both their history and breath-takingly beautiful home.

Selected Highlights

Our specialists have travelled the length and breadth of the country to research the best places to stay and things to do. Here they list a few of their favourite “unmissables”. Click here for more highlights

Take a boat trip from Rabaul

An hour or so by boat from Rabaul are the beautifully rustic Duke of York Islands. Just a handful of locals live very simple lives on the islands and...  [more]

See the birds of paradise near Mount Hagen

An early morning trip out looking for birds of paradise is a highlight of a stay at Rondon Ridge Lodge, above Mount Hagen. Creeping through the jungle...  [more]

Immerse yourself in nature at Kimbe Bay, West New Britain

This area is most famous for the incredible reef diving found in the bay. With over 400 species of reef building corals and 900 species of fish it is...  [more]