Trans Niugini Tours, The Highlands & The Sepik

With over 45 years of expertise in cultural tours, trekking, ecological tours, wilderness adventures and cultural events, Trans Niugini Tours offers a number of options for experiencing Papua New Guinea’s unspoiled environments and traditional cultures.

Rondon Ridge Lodge – Western Highlands
Situated 7100 feet above sea level, and located just 30 minutes from the centre of Mount Hagen, Rondon Ridge Lodge offers sweeping views of the incredible Wahgi Valley, the Hagen Range and Sepik Divide. Each of its 29 units offers a 90-degree view, modern bathrooms and electric blankets while an additional 16 newly-built rooms offer double or twin share beds. The lodge features a large open spaced lounge, bar and dining room area, tastefully decorated with unique tribal artifacts from across the country.

Guests can enjoy the colourful gardens and unparalleled vista from the outside dining area which is complete with a cosy fireplace for the cool highland evenings. The power is supplied by the lodge’s own hydro system, providing environmentally friendly electricity. Comprehensive touring programs offer insight into the fascinating cultural traditions and customs of the Melpa tribe, who populate this area of PNG. With daily flights from Port Moresby to Hagen, Rondon Ridge is the perfect jumping-off point for access to Ambua Lodge, Karawari Lodge, Lake Murray Lodge and the Sepik Spirit.

Ambua Lodge – Hela Province
Located at 7000 feet in the Tari Gap area, Ambua Lodge showcases local architecture, spectacular views and modest luxury. The 36 cottage-style units feature picture windows with outstanding views of the valley. With its beautiful Highland architecture, the main building houses a lounge, bar, dining room and a beautiful, cosy central fireplace. An additional 18 luxury rooms were recently constructed to meet the increased demand for accommodation.

Enjoy bird watching, venture along nature trails with traditional vine bridges, and discover a secluded waterfall.

In keeping with its back-to-nature feel, Ambua Lodge generates 24-hour clean electricity from its mini hydroelectric power plant. A culturally vibrant place, this is the home to the Huli Wigmen with their human hair wigs adorned with colourful flowers.

The Tari Valley is one of the few places left where men and women can be seen wearing traditional dress as part of daily living and men’s wealth is still counted by the number of pigs and wives that they possess.

Bensbach Wildlife Lodge – Western Province
On the Bensbach River, in Southern PNG, this lodge is easily accessible by charter aircraft from Hagen, Port Moresby, or via Daru from Cairns. The sweeping plains teeming with wildlife make this lodge truly perfect for nature lovers. This is also barramundi country, and the barramundi of Bensbach are second-to-none.

The lodge caters for the serious angler as well as those who just want to drop a line into the water for fun. Included in the tariff is accommodation, all meals, transfers and fishing.

Lake Murray Lodge – Western Province
The newest lodge from Trans Niugini Tours finds its home on the shores of the remote Lake Murray; the largest lake in PNG. The 12 individual cabin rooms overlook the lake and are furnished with ceiling fans, modern ensuite bathrooms and an elevated, lakeview verandah.

The main lodge building features an airy lounge, dining room and bar area and a large wraparound verandah, making it the perfect place to enjoy exceptional sunsets over the water.

Lake Murray Lodge arranges boat excursions around the lake to visit local villages, birding sites and fishing spots. With a rich population of birds, fish and a unique tribal culture, this lodge is an exceptional experience for travellers wishing to experience this remote destination in comfort.

Karawari Lodge – East Sepik Province
Overlooking the Karawari River in the Sepik region, Karawari Lodge is set in the dense tropical rainforest in the heart of one of the most remote and culturally rich areas of PNG.

The guest cottages, which overlook the winding river and vast jungle below, are made from local materials and offer guests a comfortable stay. The main building of the lodge is built in the form of a haus tambaran, or spirit house, that contains a dining area, bar, lounge and an incredible collection of Sepik artifacts. With no roads in the area, the lodge is only accessible via small aircraft or the river itself. Cruising the jungle fringed waterways and visiting the small villages that line its shores is particularly memorable.

MV Sepik Spirit – Karawari & Sepik River, East Sepik Province
The MV Sepik Spirit offers its passengers a unique opportunity to reach the middle reaches of the remote Sepik River while still experiencing all of the comforts of civilisation. This one-of-a-kind river boat accommodates 18 passengers in nine deluxe, twin bedrooms, each with a private bathroom.

Encounter unique cultural experiences with the local people whose prolific wood carvings express their ancient beliefs and unique culture. Passengers will venture into the remote local villages on daily excursions conducted on an 18-seater, custom designed riverboat.

Trans Niugini Tours also offers more than 10 cultural festivals programs annually. These shows happen at different times of the year and the spectacular celebrations involve different tribes celebrating their culture in a colourful extravaganza of traditional dress, dancing and singing.

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