Trans Niugini Tours, The Highlands & The Sepik

With over 30 years of expertise in cultural tours, trekking, ecological tours, wilderness adventures and cultural events, Trans Niugini Tours offers a number of options for experiencing accessing Papua New Guinea’s unspoiled environments and traditional cultures.

Rondon Ridge Lodge -Western Highlands
Situated at 7100 feet above sea level, Rondon Ridge Lodge offers sweeping views of the incredible Wahgi Valley, the Hagen Range and Sepik Divide. Just 30 minutes from the centre of Mt Hagen, each of the 12 units offer 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 artefacts from across the country.

Guests can enjoy the colourful gardens and unparalleled vista from the outside dining area, complete with a cosy fireplace for the cool highland evenings. The heating and all power is are 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; whom populate this area of PNG. With daily flights from Port Moresby to Mt 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 that are complete 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 Mt 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 overlooking the lake and are furnished with, ceiling fans, modern en suite bathrooms and an elevated, lakeview veranda.

The main lodge building features an airy lounge, dining room and bar area and a large wraparound veranda, 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, overlooking 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 the dining area, bar, lounge and an incredible collection of Sepik artefacts. 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.