Papua New Guinea's Highlands & Islands

Tour Code: PNG02

This Papua New Guinea itinerary includes visits to the highland interior and New Britain, introducing both the wildlife and culture of this fascinating country.

15 days from
£11,495
Land only price from
£10,295
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Highlights

Summary

Summary

This action-packed tour takes in the New Guinea Highlands, with their pristine forests home to the incomparable birds-of-paradise, as well as the island of New Britain, offshore from the main bulk of PNG and packed with its own endemic delights – two contrasting but equally thrilling locations. In the Highlands we will comb the forests and lodge feeders for New Guinea’s extraordinary birdlife, unique as it is rich, with birds-of-paradise the highlights, with plumage and adornments that are hard to believe. On New Britain there are many endemic and colourful species and, in between land-based birding, we will also have a day’s snorkelling over the magical reefs and take a boat out to look for seabirds and cetaceans.

  • Day’s birding at Varirata National Park
  • Three nights at Rondon Ridge Lodge in the Highlands
  • Birds-of-paradise, including Brown Sicklebill, Ribbon-tailed Astrapia and King of Saxony Bird-of-paradise
  • Immersion into local culture, observing Melpa ceremonial dances
  • Five nights on New Britain, largest of the Bismarck Islands
  • Lots of rare and unusual birds, including Melanesian Scrubfowl and Bismarck Flowerpecker
  • Boat trip for tropicbirds and Spinner Dolphins
  • Check offshore islands for Nicobar Pigeon and others
  • Chance of snorkelling over the local reefs

Grading

Tour grading: B. Most of the tour is comprised of relatively short and half-day walks. However, depending on rain, some of the trails can be very muddy and must be negotiated with care. There is one scheduled walk, looking for Black Sicklebill at Rondon Ridge, which should be considered hard. 

Snorkelling sessions can be strenuous, however flotation devices are available for anyone who is not a confident swimmer.

For many people, Papua New Guinea, or PNG, is synonymous with birds-of- paradise, and whilst these beautiful birds are not to be missed, there is plenty more besides to discover! This new itinerary combines some of the best highland birding sites and cultural visits with the terrestrial and marine wildlife of the Bismarck islands, including boat trips and snorkelling opportunities from New Britain.

After a day tour to Varirata National Park, which provides us with an excellent introduction to the main island’s wildlife, we will next transfer to Rondon Ridge Lodge for a 3-night stay in search of birds-of-paradise. We can expect to find Blue Bird-of-paradise, Superb Bird-of-paradise and King of Saxony Bird-of-paradise, as well as Princess Stephanie’s Astrapia, along with a variety of honeyeaters, parrots, lorikeets, berrypeckers, fantails, and bower birds. In the lodge grounds there is an orchid trail that showcases a selection of high-altitude species, while at night large Hercules Moths are drawn to the lights around the lodge. A trip to Kumul Lodge will offer the possibility of seeing some additional species, including Brown Sicklebill, Ribbon-tailed Astrapia, Brehm’s Tiger Parrot, Blue-capped Ifrit and Belford’s Melidectes, and we may come across one of the local mammal species, Ground Cuscus. The valley below Rondon Ridge is home to the Melpa people, of which there are several different tribes, each with their own traditions. During our stay we will enjoy learning more about their distinct culture, and experience some of their ceremonial dances.

Next, we will fly to New Britain, the largest of the Bismarck islands, where we stay for five nights. We will explore a number of local habitats, ranging from the coast to upland forests, searching for a variety of raptors, waders, kingfishers, parrots, scrub fowl and cockatoos. Flowering plants are a draw for butterflies, including the huge birdwing butterflies. We will also enjoy excursions out into Kimbe Bay, where we will be looking for cetaceans, oceanic birds and underwater marine-life. As we head out from the shore, we will leave behind the Brahminy Kites and White-bellied Sea Eagles that hunt around the coast, and start encountering beautiful Red-tailed and White-tailed Tropicbirds, and both Great and Lesser Frigatebirds.

The reefs in the bay are in great condition and there is much to see during a snorkelling session, with a kaleidoscope of corals and fish in multi-coloured hues. Sponges, sea fans, sea stars, seahorses, nudibranchs, 860 species of reef fish and around 400 corals are found on these reefs, making them some of the most biodiverse in the world. Spinner Dolphins are frequent visitors, and if fortunate, a playful pod may choose to entertain us by bow-riding alongside our boat!

DETAILED INFORMATION
Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1
Depart UK
Day 2
Arrive Singapore & transfer to onwards flight
Day 3
Arrive Port Moresby, afternoon visit to PAU
Day 4
Varirata National Park
Day 5/7
The Highland Interior
Day 8
Port Moresby
Day 9/13
New Britain Island
Day 14
Depart Papua New Guinea
Day 15
Arrive UK
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What's Included

What's Included?

  • Flights
  • Accommodation:

    On the mainland our accommodation will be an a comfortable city hotel while in Port Moresby and at the stunning Rondon Ridge Lodge for our time in the highlands. All rooms have private facilities. 

    For the days in New Britain we will stay at the lovely Walindi Plantation Resort on Kimbe Bay. Plantation House rooms are included as standard, however there may be the option to upgrade your room to a bungalow. Please contact the Naturetrek office for details.

  • Food:

    All food is included during the tour.

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Dates & Prices

Dates & Prices

2025

Departures Availability Cost
Mon 2nd Jun – Mon 16th Jun SPACES £11,495
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Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£10,295
Room sharing options:
If a customer on this departure has already expressed an interest in sharing a room it will be flagged here. We will identify if there are sharing options for male, female or both.
Male sharing available
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£1,795

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Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?

For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.

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Why Naturetrek?

Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

  • The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
  • Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
  • Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!